U.S. Soccer's Argument Against Equal Pay Undermined by Attendance Numbers

In March, the U.S. Women's National Team filed a wage discrimination lawsuit with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) against U.S. Soccer, claiming, among other inequalities, they earn 40 percent less than the men's National Team. The U.S. Soccer Federation defended its pay structure, in part, by claiming the men's game is more marketable and lucrative.

On that note, here are the attendance figures for the last six U.S. Men's National Team friendlies played in the United States (via Soccer America):

9,012 USA-New Zealand in Washington, D.C. (Oct. 11, 2016)

8,894 USA-Bolivia Kansas City, Kansas (May 28, 2016)

9,893 USA-Ecuador in Frisco, Texas (May 25, 2016)

9,274 USA-Canada in Carson, Calif. (February 5, 2016)

8,803 USA-Iceland in Carson, Calif. (January 31, 2016)

9,214 USA-Costa Rica in Harrison, N.J. (October 13, 2015)

And here are the attendance for the last six US Women's National Team friendlies played in the United States (via the US Soccer website):

15,652 USA-Netherlands in Atlanta, GA (Sept. 18, 2016)

10,490 USA-Thailand in Columbus, OH (Sept. 15, 2016)

12,635 USA-Costa Rica in Kansas City, MO (July 22, 2016)

19,272 USA-South Africa in Chicago, IL (July 9, 2016)

23,535 USA-Japan in Cleveland, OH (June 5, 2016)

18,572 (sold out) USA-Japan in Commerce City, CO (June 2, 2016)

The EEOC has yet to rule on the case.