Again and again. Women’s pro soccer players just the latest to deal with abuse

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Portland Thorns and Houston Dash players, along with referees, gather at midfield, in demonstration of solidarity with two former NWSL players who came forward with allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against a prominent coach, during an NWSL soccer match in Portland, Ore., Oct. 6, 2021.

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Washington Spirit Coach Richie Burke Was Fired After An Investigation Into Abuse

Klingenberg and all the other NWSL players who spoke to reporters that night, after their games, refused to talk about what happened on the field. Instead, the conversations were about what had recently upended their league – coaches who were fired for alleged verbal abuse, sexual coercion and misconduct; team and league officials accused of minimizing the allegations.

For observers like Michelle Bartlett, a sports psychology professor at West Texas A&M University, the scandal was not a surprise.

«It has different details and different spins,» Bartlett said, «but in a lot of ways it’s just more of the same.»

Bartlett has researched abuse and trauma in sports for about seven years, and there’s been a lot to study.

Over and over and why?

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(L-R) U.S. Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, gymnast Maggie Nichols, and U.S. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, testify during a Senate hearing about the Inspector General’s report on the FBI handling of the Larry Nassar investigation of sexual abuse of Olympic gymnasts, on Capitol Hill, September 15, 2021, in Washington, DC.

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National Women’s Soccer League commissioner is out amid scandal

The last of the eight demands was for players to have a say in the selection of a new full-time NWSL Commissioner, to replace Lisa Baird, who resigned in the midst of the scandal.

In an email to NPR, NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke, said the NWSL «has agreed to fully comply with our 8th demand, which means that players will have the opportunity to meet with Commissioner candidates and have a meaningful opportunity to be heard.»

Players are talking about have a voice, having power, having the financial resources to protect themselves – meaning better salaries.

Many are energized, but still wary of a league that they say minimized and even ignored years of player abuse.

«I know that there’s a lot of things that need to change,» said Alex Morgan, a U.S. National team star and member of the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, «but we need to start building that trust and at this point, it’s just not there yet.»

Still, Rachel Wood says the movement the NWSL players are creating is giving people the courage to come forward and shine a spotlight on abuse.

There’s a long way to go, she says, but the culture is changing. And moving, she hopes, toward a time when those who’ve suffered in silence won’t have to.