It was reported in the New York Times that the US Soccer Federation has filed suit against the union representing the Women's National Team in US Federal Court Wednesday evening. Andrew Das reports that US Soccer filed the suit after the Players Association looked to end the agreement set in place in 2013 which would have made labor action, such as a strike, a possibility. The current agreement is set to expire at the end of 2016.

Last CBA ended in 2012

The last CBA expired in 2012, but the USSF and Association came to an agreement in 2013 to extend the CBA until the end of 2016, according to documents filed in federal court. Relations between the two organizations turned sour last fall during the Victory Tour. After the national team won the World Cup in Canada, they were set to go on a ten game tour around the country. However most of the games were played on artificial turf, a slight that was particularly hard felt after several players spearheaded an unsuccessful lawsuit against FIFA to prevent turf from being used during the World Cup. Tensions escalated in Hawaii when the players refused to play on turf that was extremely below even minimal standards, forcing the game to be canceled.

Sunil Gulati, president of USSF, publicly apologized for that game and vowed to increase efforts to prevent that situation from happening again. However, on December 24 Richard Nichols executive director of the union, sent a letter to US Soccer stating that if a new agreement wasn't reached in 60 days, they would consider any and all agreements between the two organizations null and void, allowing the PA to go on strike ahead of the Rio Olympics. That kind of leverage could leave USSF in a tight spot in regards to negotiating power.

Further complications

To further complicate matters between the two, NWSL is strongly tied to USSF, alongside the CSA and FMF who provide allocated players outside the salary cap. When the league was formed, a big selling point was bringing together all the star players from the USWNT (as well as the Canadian and Mexican national teams). Many players have jumped at the chance to play at home, but a few haven't been so enthusiastic. With numerous call-ups and miscommunication between the players and clubs, relations have been difficult as well. After the World Cup, there was an understanding as to when the players were to return to their clubs. However, most players were late in reporting back, causing consternation amongst the fanbases.

Olympic Qualifying just around the corner

CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying begins in a matter of days on February 10 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. It's unlikely that this development will impact that tournament, set to conclude February 21 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. The Rio Olympics, and the friendlies in between, could be impacted. NWSL league games could also be impacted if the national team players go on strike, hampering any development the league has made as it enters an historic fourth season.

One thing the Women's National Team will be looking to change with a new CBA is to prevent friendlies and official games from being on turf. The Men's National Team almost exclusively plays on grass surfaces, while their female counterparts spend many of their games on artificial surfaces.

Tensions are likely to remain high as a federal judge rules on the validity of the agreement between the USSF and PA. For fans, they can only hope that no games are impacted and their favorite players continue to impress on the field.