Chicago, Illinois - The US women's national soccer team will receive the same payment as the US men's national team in the future, according to a landmark agreement with the US Soccer Federation (USSF), ending a long-standing legal fight.

The US women's national team (USWNT) had been fighting for equal pay since 2016, with its superstar player Megan Rapinoe leading the way.

In 2019, 28 USWNT players sued US Soccer for damages, citing gender discrimination in terms of pay and working conditions.

Under the deal announced on Tuesday, players will share $22 million in damages, after the women initially sought $67 million. The USSF will also put $2 million into a fund that aims to help players after their career ends, and to help grow the women's game.

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"We are pleased to announce that, contingent on the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement, we will have resolved our long-standing dispute over equal pay and proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer," a joint statement said.

"Getting to this day has not been easy. The US Women’s National Team players have achieved unprecedented success while working to achieve equal pay for themselves and future athletes."

In an appearance on Good Morning America, Rapinoe called the deal "a huge win for all women," marking, "the moment that everything changed."

Fellow USWNT player Alex Morgan chimed in, labelling the settlement as, "A monumental step forward in feeling valued, feeling respected." She added, "I not only see this as a win for our team or women's sports, but women in general."

The equal pay for the USWNT and the US men's national team (USMNT) includes World Cup bonuses, but these are also subject to collective bargaining agreements that have yet to be finalized for both teams.