Megan Rapinoe has backed Becky Sauerbrunn's powerful message about the widespread emotional abuse and sexual misconduct in the NWSL.

An independent investigation, which released its findings earlier this week, found evidence of abuse and misconduct spanning multiple teams and coaches. 

It also found that the NWSL and US Soccer failed to put in "basic measures" to safeguard players or "respond appropriately when confronted with player reports and evidence of abuse".

With the US women’s national team in London for their friendly match against England, Sauerbrunn addressed the investigation’s findings during a press conference.

What did Becky Sauerbrunn say about abuse in the NWSL?

Sauerbrunn, captain of the USWNT, had prepared a statement for before the press conference began. 

Revealing that her teammates were “horrified and heartbroken and frustrated and exhausted and really, really angry”, she then criticised those who had failed to stop the abuse from taking place. 

"I think for so long this has fallen on the players to demand change,” Sauerbrunn said. “That is because the people in authority and decision-making positions have repeatedly failed to protect us and they have failed to hold themselves and each other accountable. 

“Who are you actually protecting and what values are you upholding? You have failed in your stewardship.

"Every owner and executive and US Soccer official who has repeatedly failed the players and failed to protect the players who have hidden behind legalities and have not participated in these investigations should be gone.

"At the bare minimum, the recommendations that are in the Sally Yates report should be immediately implemented by US Soccer and by the league."

Video: Watch Becky Sauerbrunn's powerful words on NWSL abuse

Rapinoe, another member of the US squad which will be taking on England, shared Sauerbrunn’s message on Instagram with the caption: “Our captain ❤️. Co-sign all of this”. 

The 37-year-old Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup winner, has been vocal in the battle to achieve equal pay for the USWNT. 

They finally achieved this earlier this year, officially signing the historic collective bargaining agreement at the start of September.

Megan Rapinoe message on Instagram

Sally Yates investigation into NWSL abuse

Last year, US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates was commissioned by US Soccer to conduct an independent investigation into abuse in the NWSL, sparked by reports in The Athletic and Washington Post. 

The findings have sent shockwaves through the world of women’s football, with the report detailing allegations of emotional, verbal and sexual abuse perpetrated by managers within the NWSL. 

There were new revelations about former Racing Louisville manager Christy Holly, who was fired for groping one of his players multiple times.

There was also additional detail into the allegations against former Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage manager Paul Riley, and former Chicago Red Stars manager Rory Dames.

HERRIMAN, UTAH - JULY 17: An NWSL logo sign before the quarterfinal match of the NWSL Challenge Cup between the Houston Dash and the Utah Royals FC at Zions Bank Stadium on July 17, 2020 in Herriman, Utah. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The report found leading club and league officials persistently failed to take complaints from players and their parents seriously, with three clubs – Sauerbrunn’s Portland Thorns, Racing Louisville FC and the Chicago Stars – failing to fully cooperate with investigators.

A joint investigation between the NWSL and the NWSL Players’ Association will also be concluded towards the end of the year. 

US Soccer and the NWSL have both pledged they are “committed to implementing reform and disciplinary action”.