FILE – In this July 5, 2015, file photo, United States’ Megan Rapinoe celebrates after the U.S. beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia. The U.S. national team, ranked No. 1 globally, will try to defend its title in soccer’s premier tournament, which kicks off on June 7. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) The world’s best player won’t be at the Women’s World Cup but the world’s best team will be, with both sides taking a stand for equality. The U.S. national team, ranked No. 1 globally, will try to defend its title in soccer’s premier tournament, which kicks off Friday in Paris. While the Americans make their way around France for the monthlong event, back at home they’re all part of a lawsuit that accuses U.S. Soccer of gender discrimination. Meanwhile, Ada Hegerberg, the first female Ballon d’Or winner for the world’s top player, won’t be accompanying Norway’s national team. She stepped away in 2017 because of what she perceives to be a general disregard for women’s soccer by the country’s federation. The crux of her frustration is the uneven pace of progress and strategy in the women’s game. Hegerberg, 23, is at…