In protest of their NWSL match, members of Gotham FC and Washington Spirit join hands. (1:47).
Alex Morgan, forward for Orlando Pride and USWNT, said that women are being pulled out of soccer due to "failures in the system." However, Morgan added that things are changing now as players speak up against their employers.
Morgan spoke after Pride's defeat to NY/NJ Gotham, a 3-2 loss. Players stopped at the sixth minute to stand by women who had suffered harassment and abuse in NWSL.
Mana Shim was one of the women who stepped forward against Paul Riley, former North Carolina Courage coach. She made allegations of harassment and abuse that spanned over a decade. She joined Morgan during the moment of silence.
Murray: The scandal surrounding Riley in the NWSL points to bigger league failures
"That moment was very heavy. Morgan stated, "I think the match was very heavy."
"It's important to remember that we have stood up against the failures of employers. It wasn't made for success by the people who put it in place. All we want is to be the best players in America. This is not true if you are being pulled away from it because of your failures. Players' careers have ended because they were subject to harassment and abuse at certain levels.
"So, even though it can be difficult to feel like you have lost your passion for soccer, I believe that we should offer as much support as possible to the women who have gone through that and are going through that now. It is important that we stand up for our rights and speak out about it.
"I think that's a fair representation of the performances we've displayed in the past two weeks. This is something I am proud to be part of. I believe that the players are more united than ever in the last nine years. I hope it brings about positive change. While I am very optimistic about how the players have responded, there is still so much to be done. I believe we will be successful in the future.
Alex Morgan has voiced her disapproval of the NWSL. Photo by Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Morgan demanded transparency from the NWSL following its release of a statement supporting Shim and other people who made allegations against Riley.
She provided screenshots of emails between Sinead Farrelly and Lisa Baird, former commissioner, from April. Farrelly had requested that the NWSL reopen an investigation into Riley in 2015. Baird declined to grant the request.
Baird resigned from her position and investigations continue into allegations against a number clubs by the NWSL and FIFA.
The NWSL Players Association reiterated Saturday its demands to the NWSL and its clubs. It gave the NWSL until October 13th to respond.
By linking arms before their Saturday and Sunday games, clubs from England such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Sheffield United showed solidarity and support for players in the NWSL.
