U.S. Team Ends Boycott; Contract Dispute Settled

Slightly less than two months after going on strike, the U.S. women’s national soccer team achieved virtually all of its aims Tuesday when U.S. Soccer announced it had reached a “historic” contract agreement with the national team.

Under terms of the five-year deal, the veterans will earn a guaranteed minimum of $60,000 a year--and probably much more--and the younger, less-experienced players are guaranteed an annual minimum of $42,000.

The women will get the same $2,000-per-game appearance fee that the men’s national team players receive.

And should new Coach April Heinrichs drop any veterans from the team before the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in September, those cut will receive three months’ severance pay.

During the dispute, the world champion U.S. team boycotted last month’s Australia Cup tournament. The U.S. won it anyway, with a team of next-generation players.

“I think it’s a huge step. We’ve been fighting for this and living this for 12 years,” said team member Carla Overbeck, adding that the veterans wanted to leave a firm foundation for the next generation. “We wanted to make sure those younger players can make a living playing the game they love.”