The Portland Thorns were locked in a 1-1 tie with Sky Blue FC last July when Alyssa Kleiner sprinted down the left wing and lobbed a pinpoint cross into the box for Sinead Farrelly, who headed home the game-winning goal as 12,223 paying fans at Providence Park cheered in unison.
Through months of hard work and dedication, Kleiner had earned a spot in the starting lineup on that summer day.
But of the 11 starters, she was the only one not being paid to play.