Soccer: Judge hears arguments on US women's team strike rights

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Chicago • A federal judge in Chicago has heard arguments whether the world champion U.S. women's soccer team has the right to strike for improved conditions and wages before this year's Olympics.

Lawyers for the U.S. Soccer Federation told Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman at a Thursday hearing that a no-strike clause is implied in a still-valid 2013 memorandum with players.

But a lawyer for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Players Association balked at that claim. Jeffrey Kessler said the federation had "screwed up" by not securing a no-strike clause in writing and can't argue three years later that such a provision is implied.

The union wants the option to strike before the Olympics start in August, but hasn't said it will. Many players have voiced concern over gender equity in soccer.