The FIFA Women’s World Cup is just under a month away (!), and if you can’t wait to show the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) some love, you’re in luck: four of its stars are featured in the one and only Sports Illustrated Swimsuit problemand one, superstar Alex Morganeven makes the cover.
Alongside Alex are defenders Crystal Dunn and Abby Dahlkemper, both heading to their first World Cup, as well as the veteran midfielder. Megan Rapinoethe first openly gay woman to appear in the IF Swimsuit problem. Alex herself selected the other three to join her, developer IF Swimsuit“I thought it was important to really show the diversity of this team, as well as show off the young and experienced players.”
The USWNT hasn’t just been in the news because of their upcoming competition. In April, the team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for gender discriminationalleging that the team has always been paid less than the men’s team despite their equal roles and responsibilities and higher success rate. (The USWNT has won the World Cup three times, most recently in 2015.) Although the players cannot speak publicly about the lawsuit at this time, they have positioned themselves at the forefront of the debate. fight for equal pay and opportunities for women in all fields.
“As a female athlete, I feel like I’m put in a box and I can’t get out of that box without being judged,” Alex said. IF Swimsuit in a video interview. “I make no apologies for the things I do and the things we want to conquer, and I truly demand what we deserve.”
Her teammates are on the same wavelength. “I think it’s really important that people understand that before I became a footballer I was a human being, I was a person,” Crystal said. “It’s important for people to realize, not just us, but women in general, that we’re not just our sport. We’re human beings, we’re mothers, daughters, sisters, everything.”
“Now is the time for us to come together to fight for what we believe is right and just,” Abby added. “Now is the time to create change, not just talk about it.”
For Megan, who co-captains the team alongside Alex, appearing in the number had special meaning. “There’s an assumption that everyone poses for men, which is definitely not the case for me, and I think that’s probably not the case for the majority of women,” said Megan, who is married to basketball superstar Sue Bird. “It’s okay to be sexy, it’s okay to wear a swimsuit, it’s okay to want to do that” – for yourself, not for the viewer.
The photos are sexy, but they’re also strong and empowering — qualities that the USWNT has emulated since the team first appeared on the international stage in 1991 (and promptly won the World Cup). As impressive as their abs are (i.e., very — I’m going to start eat like Megan Rapinoe right now), it is their determination and dynamism that truly inspires us.
Alex’s cover is above, Crystal and Megan’s photos are below, and you can check out Abby’s photos. online. Can’t wait? We’ve included some of her best Instagram snaps, as well as a few of our favorites among the rest. Take a look at the full IF Swimsuit Sets of Four online or in the paper magazine, on sale now.
