Judge Considers Right to Strike for US Women’s Soccer Team

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge in Chicago is set to make a high-stakes ruling to determine whether the world-champion U.S. women's soccer team has the right to strike before this year's Olympics.

At the first status hearing in the case Thursday, a judge set May 25 for in-court arguments between the soccer federation and the players' union on the issue.

The Chicago-based U.S. Soccer Federation warned in its February lawsuit of "the harm that would befall ... the sport of soccer if the players engaged in a strike or other job action."

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Players Association argues it can strike, if it chooses, because a collective bargaining agreement is no longer valid. The federation insists that the agreement remains in effect until Dec. 31.