The United State Women’s National Team locked arms with members of the Canadian Women’s National Team Thursday before the two squads faced each other in the SheBelieves Cup.

The Canadian side played Thursday’s game in protest as they are fighting to have the same level of support their male counterparts receive.

The battle for equal pay and treatment is one the U.S. squad knows all too well. Members of the squad clashed with U.S. Soccer officials for years before securing an agreement last year that saw players splitting earnings with the men’s team.

The teams wore purple tape in hopes of drawing attention to the issue.

“Given that this tournament was established to highlight gender equality, it will be the first time that the USWNT Players will be treated as equals,” the USWNT Players union said in a statement. “While we thank US Soccer for their leadership, we know that it took courage from our USWNT Players to stand together both in collective bargaining and through litigation.

“Although we are now on the other side of this fight and can focus on our play on the field, our counterparts in Canada and elsewhere are experiencing the same pervasive misogyny and unequal treatment that we faced. We stand with all women's footballers in calling attention to their collective fight, but also call on everyone to join and support the fight to eradicate ALL inequality and discrimination that exists in our sport.”

The Canadian side said their protest will continue.

"Considering the current circumstances, our players will continue to wear purple until our association has standards in place that ensure equal treatment and opportunity,” the Canadian Soccer Players' Association said.

The U.S. women's soccer team has high hopes for the 2021 Olympics, following World Cup wins in 2019 and 2015. The team seeks to avenge a disappointing 2016 run when they failed to medal at the Olympics in Rio.

Here is who will represent the USWNT at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ricardo Mazalan/AP

Abby Dahlkemper, Defender
Dahlkemper, who plays professionally for English FA Woman's Super League Club Manchester City, is making her first appearance at the Olympics. She was a member of the 2019 World Cup champion team.

Tierna Davidson, Defender
Davidson, who plays professionally for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, is making her first appearance at the Olympics.

Crystal Dunn, Defender
Dunn, who plays professionally for Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup champion team.

Julie Ertz, Midfielder
Ertz, who plays professionally for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was part of World Cup champion teams in 2019 and 2015.

Adrianna Franch, Goalkeeper
Franch, who plays professionally for Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL, is making her first appearance in the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup champion team.

Tobin Heath, Forward
Heath, who most recently played professionally for Manchester United of the English FA Woman's Super League, is making her third appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams.

Lindsey Horan, Midfielder
Horan, who plays professionally for Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup championship team.

Rose Lavelle, Midfielder
Lavelle, who plays professionally for OL Reign of the NWSL, is making her first appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup championship team.

Carli Lloyd, Forward
Lloyd, the most experienced member of the USWNT, is making her fourth appearance at the Olympics. She's also been a part of the team for four World Cup tournaments, of which she's won two championships. She plays professionally for NJ/NY Gotham FC of the NWSL and ranks fourth in all-time goals for USWNT.

Kristie Mewis, Midfielder
Mewis, who plays professionally for the Houston Dash of the NWSL, is making her first appearance at the Olympics. She is the sister of fellow midfielder Samantha Mewis.

Samantha Mewis, Midfielder
Mewis, who plays professionally for the North Carolina Courage of the NWSL, is making her first appearance in the Olympics as a full-time player. She was a designated alternate during the 2016 games in Rio. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup championship team and is the sister of fellow midfielder Kristie Mewis.

Alex Morgan, Forward
Morgan, who plays professionally for the Orlando Pride of the NWSL, is making her third appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams and ranks fifth in all-time goals for USWNT.

Alyssa Naeher, Goalkeeper
Naeher, who plays professionally for the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup championship team.

Kelley O'Hara, Defender
O'Hara, who plays professionally for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL, is making her third appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams.

Christen Press, Forward
Press, who most recently played professionally for Manchester United of the English FA Woman's Super League, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams.

Megan Rapinoe, Forward
Rapinoe, who plays professionally for OL Reign of the NWSL, is making her third appearance in the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams and ranks fourth in all-time assists for USWNT.

Becky Sauerbrunn, Defender
Sauerbrunn, who plays professionally for Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL, is making her third appearance in the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams.

Emily Sonnett, Defender
Sonnett, who plays professionally for Washington Spirit of the NWSL, is making her second appearance at the Olympics. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup championship team.

Vlatko Andonovski, Coach
2021 marks Andonovski's first Olympics as the head of the USWNT. He took over the club in 2019 following the retirement of legendary coach Jill Ellis after her second World Cup title.