Olivia Moultrie, NWSL reach settlement that will allow 15-year-old to play

The National Women’s Soccer League announced on Friday that the league and the Portland Thorns’ Olivia Moultrie have reached a settlement allowing Moultrie to play in the league. She will be allowed to play unless and until the NWSL Player’s Association and the NWSL agree on a collective bargaining that sets an age requirement older than Moultrie.

Here is the official statement from the NWSL:

The National Women’s Soccer League and Olivia Moultrie have come to a settlement of their dispute which will allow Ms. Moultrie to play in the league unless and until the league and the NWSL Players Association agree to a collective bargaining agreement that includes an age requirement older than her then-current age. The settlement, which is conditioned on the district court which heard the case vacating the orders that are the subject of the NWSL’s appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, will officially end the litigation and related appeal. The parties are pleased to have come to an amicable solution for this unique situation and eager to move on from the litigation.

Moultrie, who is 15 years old, has been engaged in a long legal battle in order to be allowed to play for the Thorns. Previous court orders had made it possible for Moultrie to finally play. She has played in two matches for the Thorns, a 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC and a draw against Gotham FC.