NWSL Challenge Cup 101

Contributor: NWSL, Seattle Sounders FC, USWNT

By Abigail Gerken @abigailgerken22

It’s official. Soccer is back in the United States, and we cannot be more excited. The NWSL has announced the 25-game tournament “Challenge Cup” from June 27^th  – July 26^th in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rosters will be finalized June 21^st, the same day teams arrive in Utah.

It is not the type of season we were expecting, but the NWSL and the Players Association have worked hard to come to an agreement to get our teams back on the pitch. By having all of the games in one central hub, every player will stay in an Olympic-style village.

All of the games can be found in one convenient location, CBS All-Access. All games will be available via stream, with CBS broadcasting the opening game and final, nationwide. For our friends outside the US and Canada, games will be available on Twitch.

The thought of such a tournament taking place over just 30 days sounds a little overwhelming, but let’s break it down:

• Each of the league’s nine clubs will play four games each to determine seeding.
• The top eight teams will move to quarterfinals.
• Teams are knocked out until the final game.
• In total there will be 25-games.

On Monday June 1^st the NSWL held the drawing for the tournament, determining the preliminary schedule. It is as follows:

June 27^th:

Chicago Red Stars vs Orlando Pride

NC Courage vs Portland Thorns

June 30^th

WashingtonSpirit vs Utah Royals

OL Reign vs Sky Blue FC

July 1^st

Portland Thorns vs Orlando Pride

NC Courage vs Houston Dash

July 4^th

Chicago Red Stars vs Utah Royals

Washington Spirit vs OL Reign

July 5^th

NC Courage vs Orlando Pride

Houston Dash vs Sky Blue FC

July 8^th

Washington Spirit vs Portland Thorns

Utah Royals vs OL Reign

July 9^th

Orlando Pride vs Sky Blue FC

Chicago Red Stars vs Houston Dash

July 12^th

Utah Royals vs NC Courage

Portland Thorns vs OL Reign

July 13^th

Chicago Red Stars vs Sky Blue FC

Washington Spirit vs Houston Dash

 Stay tuned for more NWSL coverage throughout this tournament! 

Featured image: @NWSL

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