As more days pass since the publication of Sally Yates' investigation into abuse in women's professional soccer, the call for substantial actionable change within the sport in the United States continues to surge.
Echoing the voices of survivors of abuse within the NWSL, as well as her USA national teammates, Megan Rapinoe called for the owners of clubs implicated in the report to be removed.
"I don't think that Merritt Paulson is fit to be the man or the owner of that team, I don't think Arnim Whisler is fit to be the owner of Chicago. And we need to see those people gone," the OL Reign veteran told the media on Thursday.
"Those people are in positions that have responsibilities, and they didn't fulfill those responsibilities. None of those people have shown that they deserve to be around this beautiful game."
Paulson and Whisler have both been named amongst others as being complicit in systemic abuse throughout the NWSL. Both failed to act when confronted with coaching abuse within their clubs and furthermore did not prevent further misconduct from taking place in the league despite being aware of certain coaches' behaviors.
On Tuesday, Paulson announced he would be stepping away from any Portland "Thorns-related decision making" but has yet to show any changes to his executive status as owner. On Wednesday, Whisler was removed as chairman of the Chicago Red Stars by the board of directors. It is believed the board will now look to force a sale of the club.
'Zero guardrails'
Rapinoe was speaking at a press conference at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The USA is set to play England in a friendly on Friday in front of a sold-out crowd of 90,000 people.
In addition to the sweeping changes that Rapinoe would like to see amongst NWSL ownership impacted in the report, she also spoke on the overall policy issues and structure within the league that needs to be revamped in order to keep players safe moving forward.
"The league was set up hastily in a way that got it off the ground and gave us a place to play," Rapinoe noted. "And I think every player would say that. We're thankful and appreciative of that. But it was also done with absolutely zero guardrails. And that's just unacceptable."
"It's difficult to hold people accountable even when there is something in place," she said on the lack of policy in the NWSL. "Whether it's from a FIFA level or from a confederations level, at least having those policies in place, or having hotlines that people can report to, or reporting systems that have some teeth in them that are actually real, and not just going to be kind of thrown to the wayside, I think is really important."
In Rapinoe's opinion, one of the most heartbreaking aspects of the Yates report was that it persisted for so many years without players even being able to identify the behavior as abuse because it had become so normalized within the league.
"Players didn't even realize that they were being abused or manipulated," Rapinoe reflected. "You don't know that it's happening. So being aware of those signs, and what language is appropriate, what language is inappropriate. And then if something is happening, having, you know, a reporting system that actually has teeth in it that you can trust that is going to protect the players. I think that is really important."
'It does mean more than that'
The unabashedly honest Rapinoe spoke about the heavy toll the Yates report has taken on the USA squad as it has prepared for Friday's match against the Lionesses. As a veteran of the team, she explained that the more experienced national team players have often shielded the younger players and taken on the "tough questions" in press conferences.
"It's just always a matter of trying to keep the team in the best situation possible. And you know, sort of using every ounce of whether it's leadership or knowledge or whatever, to just make sure that you know, everybody can a show up and do their job. And I think also just, you know, trying to make everyone as comfortable as possible in a time that's really uncomfortable and can't really get away from that," she said.
Looking ahead to the match with England, Rapinoe took time to acknowledge how important this occasion was for the players. She admitted that it was important for the national team to find some joy.
As the first major test for the USA outside of North America since last summer's disappointing Olympics in Tokyo, the match, pitting the reigning World champions against the reigning European champions, is one of the most highly anticipated encounters in world soccer this week.
"There's a reason that there's 90,000 people are coming, there's a reason that, you know, these two particular teams have stretched way past the field and done something really special. I feel like this is a really special moment in women's football. I know, it's just a friendly, but it does mean more than that. And I think it signals more than that. And we should be really proud of that we shouldn't have to do this," she said.
Rapinoe and her U.S. women's national teammates are expected to make some kind of statement, as a response to the abuse reported in Yates' investigation, on the pitch before kickoff or during the match against England.
Speaking on Thursday, Rapinoe could not reveal during the press conference exactly what the team had decided to do. She did praise the England team for their solidarity during the week and said they will also be involved in making a statement on Friday.
"I think there's general support around the world for all of our different federations and teams. There's just so much solidarity between the things that we have to fight for," said Rapinoe.