Hope Solo, former United States women’s national team goal is trying to get a seat at the upcoming mediation session between USWNT players and the US Soccer Federation. Despite Solo’s popularity as an ambassador of the game, both sides are discouraging her participation in the proceedings.

Solo claims she wants to protect the USWNT from intimidation and fear tactics. According to the legal motion to prevent Solo’s participation, “Solo's claim that members of the USWNT will not have the strength and fortitude to resist 'intimidation and fear tactics' and protect the interests of the putative class is regrettable and has no basis in fact."

Striker Alex Morgan has spoken out about Solo’s participation stating her teammates have “proven that they bow down to no one and are relentless advocates of equal pay.” She further explained that the team would only accept a settlement if they believed it achieved their objectives and was in the best interest of the class. She concluded by stating, “With all due respect, they do not require Solo’s assistance to achieve these objectives.”

US Soccer and the USWNT agree on one thing: they do not want Solo participating and feel it would be “unnecessary and procedurally improper” for it to occur. They also believe her request should be denied.

In addition to this issue, Solo and the USSF have separately agreed to mediate a case that arose after Solo charged she lost her job due to her advocacy for equal pay in 2016.

The existing lawsuit filed by the USWNT regarding equal pay was first filed in March of this year. It made the issue one of its causes in the midst of their chase for their fourth World Cup.