US Soccer players call on Congress to improve US Center for SafeSport

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A group of more than 100 U.S. soccer players is calling on Congress to improve the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which is tasked with protecting athletes from abuse.

The U.S. Soccer Athletes Council sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday signed by current and former national team players, including the entire U.S. team playing in the Women's World Cup.

"As athletes, we want to take a lead in collaborating with Congress and National Governing Bodies of Sport in order to create a safe and supportive environment that allows soccer players — and all other athletes in the Olympic movement — to thrive both on and off the field. We are committed to working with you and other stakeholders to make the necessary changes to ensure that players are safe and protected from abuse. And that means that we need to create an efficient, fair, and effective system for athletes to report," the letter said.

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American players huddle before the World Cup, group B soccer match between the United States and Wales, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in in Doha, Qatar, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022.  (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

The move comes after an abuse and misconduct scandal that rocked the National Women's Soccer League. In 2021, two former players came forward and accused longtime coach Paul Riley of misconduct and sexual coercion. Riley, who denied the charges, was fired and later banned from the league.

Riley was among five of 10 NWSL coaches that year who were either fired or resigned amid allegations of improper behavior. It spurred investigations by U.S. Soccer and the league