American players have shown their support for Canadian soccer players, who are fighting for equal treatment in their federation.

ORLANDO, Flo. — The players of UNITED STATES And Canada stood in solidarity for gender equality and transgender rights on Thursday ahead of their opening match of the ‘SheBelieves’ Cup at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.

The players of each team wore a purple ribbon on one wrist to represent gender equality and on the other wrist a white ribbon with the inscription “Defending Trans Joy” (Defending Trans Happiness) before the Americans’ 2-0 victory over Canada.

The equality exhibit comes in response to the Canadian players’ ongoing struggle with their federation to receive the same treatment as the men’s team. The players of Canada they say they play ‘SheBelieves’ Cup in protest after initially attempting a strike last week before the Canadian Soccer Association threatened them with legal action.

In a statement released by the Canadiens ahead of Thursday’s game, they said they “will continue to wear purple until our association has rules that guarantee equal treatment and opportunity.”

The players of Canada they entered the pitch for the game wearing purple shirts emblazoned with “Enough is Enough” before the two teams met in the center circle in a show of unity.

After the match, the coach of Canada, Bev Priestmansaid she supports her players, but friction with her employer – Canada Soccer – has put her in a difficult position.

“I obviously think as a coach I’m in a tough position, but I think purple represents equality,” Priestman said after the loss. “And you asked me, I believe in equality. I have to work with this group and they have to feel that they have been prepared enough for a World Cup. And you know, I’m with my players, but also obviously, you know, I work for the federation of Canada who also supported me in my journey.

“So yes, it’s a difficult position, but what I would say is that I absolutely believe in equality. I believe that everyone should have the same opportunities as everyone else. But it was a highlight.”

The players said earlier this week they wanted more staff and the same resources the men’s team had in the Qatar World Cupplus any late payments due since 2022.

The American players offered verbal support before the game and said they would join their Canadian counterparts, many of whom are their peers at the club level.

Thursday, the players of UNITED STATES joined them in a public exhibition before the eighth edition of the SheBelieves Cupa US-based tournament named to highlight gender equality.

“Although we are now on the other side of this fight and can focus on our game on the court, the players of Canada and elsewhere are experiencing the same pervasive misogyny and unequal treatment we face,” the Women’s Players Association said. USWNT it is a statement.

“We support all footballers in their collective fight, but we also call on everyone to unite and support the fight to eradicate all inequalities and discrimination that exist in our sport.”

The players of UNITED STATES they achieved equal pay with the men’s team in 2022 when each team signed a separate new collective bargaining agreement. The American players and the United States Soccer Federation also agreed to a $24 million settlement last year to end a six-year equal pay lawsuit.

The message “Defending Trans Joy” which appeared on the wrist of other players on Thursday, was a response to the recent anti-transgender law passed in Florida.

Last year, Florida passed a bill called “Don’t Say Gay” that bans classroom teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade. Transgender children in the state were also barred from receiving hormones or undergoing surgery to treat gender dysphoria.

quinn, a Canadian midfielder, identifies as transgender and non-binary. Several Canadian and American actors have already spoken out in favor of transgender rights.

Alex Morgan recently said the team “absolutely needs to have” games in states with discriminatory legislation.

“For this team, we’ve always been very vocal about our position and I think we will continue to be,” Morgan said last week.

“But watching those games in Florida and Texas respectively, we’re going to have to keep stepping up and having internal discussions with the team as well because we’re not ones to avoid tough conversations.”

The captain and defender of United States, Becky Sauerbrunnrecently wrote an opinion column criticizing Missouri leaders for considering legislation that would prevent transgender girls from participating in women’s sports.