US women's soccer team dealt major blow as judge dismisses players' claims that they were underpaid when compared to the men's national team (5 Pics)

The US women's soccer team's claims for equal pay were dismissed by a court on Friday, handing a victory to the United States Soccer Federation.

Judge R. Gary Klausner of the United States District Court for the Central District of California ruled in favor of US Soccer, dismissing players' claims that they were underpaid in comparison with the men's national team.

'The WNT (Women's National Team) has been paid more on both a cumulative and an average per-game basis than the MNT (Men's National Team) over the class period,' the court said in its summary judgment.

The US women's soccer team's claims for equal pay were dismissed by a court on Friday, handing a victory to the United States Soccer Federation. Megan Rapinoe of the US women's team is pictured in play last year against France

The judge, however, also ruled that players' claims they do not receive equal treatment as the men when it comes to travel, training, housing and other areas could proceed.

The trial date is set for June 16.

Klausner based his ruling on the federation's contention that women's players were paid more in total and on a per-game basis than the men, reports ESPN .

The judge's ruling cited as undisputed fact that from 2015 to 2019, the women's team averaged $220,747 per game in total payments, for a total of $24.5 million.

The men's team averaged $212,639 per game in total payments for a total of $18.5 million.

Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said that they plan to appeal the decision.

Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said that they plan to appeal the decision. She tweeted a two-part statement saying the team was 'shocked and disappointed'

The second part of Levinson's tweet in response to the judge's decision

'We are shocked and disappointed,' said Levinson. 'We will not give up our hard work for equal pay.

'We are confident in our case and steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that girls and women who play this sport will not be valued as lesser just because of their gender.'

US Soccer did not have an immediate comment.

Players had been seeking $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act.

The women's national team beat the Netherlands to claim its fourth World Cup title last summer, as the stadium rang with chants of, 'Equal Pay, Equal Pay,' catapulting its players into the spotlight.

Team co-captain Megan Rapinoe, who on Thursday appeared with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a live-streamed event tweeted: 'We will never stop fighting for EQUALITY.'

Forward Tobin Heath wrote on social media: 'This team never gives up and we're not going to start now.'

Rapinoe tweeted: 'We will never stop fighting for EQUALITY.'

Forward Tobin Heath also wrote on social media that 'This team never gives up and we're not going to start now.'

The US national team's long-running feud with US Soccer has been a very public and bitter battle with athletes and celebrities, from Billie Jean King to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rallying around the women's cause.

Last month US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro resigned over language used in a court filing suggesting women possess less ability than men when it comes to soccer.