Carlos Cordeiro, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, handed in his resignation today, announcing his decision in emotional terms. His letter focused on the league’s filing this week of a response to the $66 million equal-pay lawsuit against it by its World Cup champion women’s national team. The suit, now scheduled for trial beginning on May 5th, claims gender discrimination in voilation of U.S. law.

The resignation letter read in part: “The arguments and language contained in this week’s legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary Women's National Team players...it was unacceptable and inexcusable. I did not fully review the filing before it was submitted and I take responsibility for not doing so. Had I done so, I would have objected to language that did not reflect my personal admination for our women’s players or our values as an organization.”

Cordiero was immediately replaced by U.S. Soccer VP Cindy Cone, the first woman to head the league.

A former standout USWNT player, Cone will be responsible for repairing the broken relationship between the league and the WNT—and to show that U.S. Soccer is not terminally dysfunctional.

Perhaps ironically, she will also be responsible for overseeing the league’s legal efforts in defense of the upcoming WNT lawsuit.