In early March, the National Women’s Soccer League began its preseason only to have the 2020 season indefinitely postponed because of the novel coronavirus. Fast forward three months later, and the NWSL has officially formalized its plan for return to competitive play. On May 27, the league announced the 2020 Challenge Cup, a 25-game tournament that will take place in Utah.
Matches will not be open to the general public, but fans can watch every game live on CBS All Access and re-airings on CBS Sports Network. The tournament-opener and the championship game will air live on CBS. Fans outside the United States and Canada can watch the entire tournament on Twitch.
“As our country begins to safely reopen and adjust to our collective new reality, and with the enthusiastic support of our players, owners as well as our new and current commercial partners, the NWSL is thrilled to bring professional soccer back to the United States,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird said, per the league’s official release. “This exciting, month-long tournament will showcase our league’s talented players and provide fans the type of world-class entertainment they’ve come to expect from the NWSL.”
All nine NWSL clubs will participate in the league’s inaugural Challenge Cup. In the first round, teams will play in four matches each to determine seeding. Eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, wherein the tournament becomes a knockout competition.
The tournament is set to begin on June 27 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah, and the championship game is slated for July 26. Semifinal matches and the final will be played in Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
Utah Royals FC Owner Dell Loy Hansen will host the NWSL, as he’ll be using his resources to accommodate clubs with housing, training and competition needs and to create an “NWSL Village” so as to control the environment as much as possible.
“With the efforts of our front-line workers, our state’s early adoption of preventative measures and our facilities at Zions Bank Real Academy, Rio Tinto Stadium and America First Credit Union Field, Utah is uniquely prepared to host the nine teams in the NWSL and put on a tremendous tournament,” Hansen said, per the official release. “With the full support of the governor the medical experts in our community, we are thrilled to bring the tournament to Utah.”
Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, the Utah Sports Commission and local health officials met with Baird and Hansen to unanimously approve Utah hosting the tournament.
When it comes to novel-coronavirus cases, the Beehive State is among the safest states in the West. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah has reported nearly 8,500 cases and just under 100 deaths. By comparison, the Los Angeles Times reported California surpassed 80,000 cases with over 3,200 deaths as recently as May 18.
Players, officials and essential staff members will be tested for the coronavirus 48 hours before leaving for Utah and upon arrival. Furthermore, they will also be subject to consistent testing, temperature readings and symptom reviews while in Utah.
“Utah is home to strong healthcare systems and dedicated medical professionals, and public health and safety are always a top priority for our communities,” Herbert said, per the release. “Because of those factors, I believe our state will be a great location for the National Women’s Soccer League to host its competition in 2020.
“I’m grateful to Dell Loy Hansen for his work to find a solution that we believe will benefit the league and our community as a whole.”
The 2020 Challenge Cup is sponsored by P&G and Secret. Additionally, the league also used its Challenge Cup press release to announce its new multiyear deal with Verizon. Budweiser, which has been an official NWSL sponsor since 2019, will present the semifinal matches and the final.
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The last time two NWSL teams competed, the North Carolina Courage topped the Chicago Red Stars 4-0 in the 2019 NWSL Final on Oct. 27, 2019, in North Carolina. It was the Courage’s second-straight title.
Last season, the Orlando Pride finished with the worst record and the fewest wins in the NWSL: 4-16-4 (16 points).
For more on the Lions and the Pride, as the coronavirus situation continues to evolve, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor for tips and/or memes (happy to send or receive), you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
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