Double world champion Ashlyn Harris has highlighted the harsh financial realities of playing women's football, criticising the treatment of the USA team after the 2019 World Cup final.
The goalkeeper made an appearance on the International Women's Day episode of the Boardroom: Out of Office podcast, having retired late last year. Harris first made her debut for the USA team back in 2013 and went to two World Cups with her country, with the Americans prevailing in both.
Since her retirement at the end of last season Harris has moved into the boardroom of Gotham FC, her final club, as creative advisor. But in the conversation with entrepreneur Rich Kleiman, Harris, a former two-time Goalkeeper of the Year slammed the lack of help for retired players in the USA women's soccer system and how they were treated after lifting the trophy.
She outlined the harsh realities of the lack of financial reward for her glittering career compared to male counterparts, underlining the difficulties she faced immediately after retirement as she was left needing to move on to her next career.
"After winning the 2015 World Cup, I flew home in a middle seat on a basic commercial airline," said the 37-year-old on the podcast. "You’re talking about some of the best players in the world who generate a ton of revenue, and they just do not care," she added.
The USA aren't the only national team to have suffered from the issue in recent times. At the most recent international break Canada threatened to go on strike during an equal pay dispute with their federation. France are also currently in turmoil with manager Corinne Diacre sacked following a public fallout with a number of high profile senior players.
When asked about the differences between top male and female athletes retiring, Harris said the playing field was uneven."Now that I've done all these things," she went on to say. "I have no 401 (a USA retirement plan), I have no pension. My body is duct-taped together, literally. I'm going to probably have expensive knee damage.
"I have no backbone, no support... I literally have to walk away from this beautiful career and I started working (in a new career) that quickly. That is not ok.
"I am at peace with closing the chapter of my playing career. I just like I could make more of an impact growing the women's game off the field that I could on it.
"It has been a passion of mine to move women's sport forwards. It has been a grind, you break through one barrier and a giant wall arises for the next.
"It is exhausting. I was campaigning for equal pay for the USWNT, they now have equal pay. I'll never see the benefit of that. That is fine because it is important for me to pave the way.
"Imagine if I could just focus on my craft, not doing several jobs. Sports for me didn't pay the bills. It has been exhausting but there is still so much work that has to be done."
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