7 NWSL experts and SEASON friends share their Challenge Cup Predictions
Following an abrupt end to most of the leagues in Europe, the US’s National Women’s League is set to kick off its Challenge Cup tournament on Saturday, 27 June in Utah. The tournament means the NWSL will be the first sports league to return in the States following similar league postponements due to coronavirus. And, at a moment where women’s football has been served a huge knockback in what was meant to be a year to build on World Cup momentum, it’s an encouraging step from the NWSL and those involved in supporting the women’s game despite unprecedented obstacles. (You can read more on what other women’s leagues can learn from the NWSL’s decision here.)
It hasn’t been without hiccups, however. Marquee players from the USWNT announced they will not be playing, including Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Christen Press and Tobin Heath. Some are injured, while Heath cited concerns about the uncertainty of the virus and pandemic. And just this week, Orlando Pride pulled out of the tournament entirely after six players and four staff had tested positive for COVID-19.
Nevertheless! Women’s. Football. Is. Back. In. America. [emoji prayer sign]
So what do you need to know heading into the tournament? Who are players to watch? What teams have likely chances of lifting a title? At SEASON, we’re contemplating how the Chicago Red Stars will perform after reaching the finals last year and losing Sam Kerr to Chelsea in the off season. And whether players will use the tournament — as many in Europe have — to draw attention to police brutality and the murder of George Floyd, as protests over his death and those of countless other Black people have continued across the country.
For more insight, we spoke to a handful of our friends and NWSL writers and experts for their predictions and to hear what’s on their radars. On our panel are: Meg Linehan, USWNT/NWSL staff writer at The Athletic and host of Full Time with Meg Linehan; Jess Keating, NWSL fan and Goal Diggers FC player; Abdullah Abdullah, women’s football lead at Total Analysis; Charles Olney, women’s football writer at US-based outlet, Backline Soccer; Fadumo Olow, co-host of the I Think She’s Offside Podcast; and Helen Hardy and Hannah Inglis, co-hosts of “The NWSL Show,” who will also have special tournament coverage for the month.
Who will be the player to watch?
‘OL Reign’s Bethany Balcer has to be the one to watch, I think. The forward was named 2019 Rookie of the year and big things are expected from her and the stage is set with Megan Rapinoe not participating in the tournament.’ Abdullah Abdullah
‘Hailie Mace who was second overall pick in 2019 college draft as a defender. Sky Blue picked her but she didn’t report to the club; instead went to play for FC Rosengård [in Sweden] and Melbourne Jets. Hallie has been called up to several USWNT camps and was traded to North Carolina in the offseason. The collaboration at the back between Crystal Dunn, Jaelene Hinkle, Mace and Abby Erceg would be absolute scenes.’ Hannah Inglis
‘I have to mention the England betrayer Alana Cook (just kidding!). She’s really making her mark, signing with PSG and then loaning herself back to NWSL to play for OL Reign. She’s young, exciting, desperate to prove herself. I think this tournament could be a huge opportunity for her.’ Helen Hardy
‘Midge Purce. She was an exciting addition to Sky Blue back in January [from the Portland Thorns], and she’s such a versatile player that I can’t wait to see how she performs. I think the entire Sky Blue team is one to watch, to be honest. I’ve been excited by all of the work [general manager] Alyse LaHue is doing and am certain they’re only going to get better.’ Jess Keating
‘OL Reign have a very interesting roster for the Challenge Cup, but my go-to answer for the league remains the North Carolina Courage's midfielder, Debinha. If she picks up where she left off from the 2019 NWSL Championship, well. There's a reason why the Courage are favourites.’ Meg Linehan
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Who are you most disappointed about missing the tournament?
‘The entirety of the Orlando Pride, honestly. Even with the news that most tests were false positives, there's no way for the team to get back in — but I was truly looking forward to the reunited combo of Ali Riley and Marta here in America, and just hoping we still get to see it later this year (if a miracle happens) or in 2021.’ Meg Linehan
‘I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed because I respect the decision of players who have decided not to play, but I would’ve loved to have seen some more Christen Press magic.’ Jess Keating
‘Christen Press. Her form was RIDICULOUS at the beginning of 2020 with sensational performances in the She Believes Cup and qualifier tournaments. She’s going to be missed!’ Hannah Inglis
‘Obviously Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Carli Lloyd aren’t going to be at the tournament but for me Christian Press will be a big miss for Utah Royals. Her dynamism, movement, and leadership in the forward areas is vital to their play. It’s unfortunate for Craig Harrington to be losing one of his star players for the tournament. Also, the losses of Marta and Sydney Leroux, who aren’t able to play, considering it’s one of Marta’s last tournaments and Leroux’s chance at the Olympic roster.’ Abdullah Abdullah
‘The news just broke about Carli Lloyd being injured. Is it really an American tournament without Lloyd?’ Helen Hardy
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Predictions for winners and losers?
‘It's hard to pick anyone other than the North Carolina Courage as favourites. They're the best team in the league by a mile. What's more, everyone who was even close to them last year is facing some big unanswered questions after offseason moves, while the Courage seemingly only got stronger. That said, it's a short tournament and anything can happen in 90-minute knockout matches, so I think the field has a pretty solid shot to knock them out.’ Charles Olney
‘I think Sky Blue without Lloyd or Utah without Press could have devastating consequences. [And it’s] hard to see how anybody could topple North Carolina from their podium with two stars under their belt. Not seen tremendous losses during trades in the offseason and Riley has said that the full squad will be available for the Challenge Cup.’ Hannah Inglis
‘I’d have to agree with Hannah. North Carolina are treble winners. They’ve got such depth in their team so I can see them being full strength for the entire tournament.’ Helen Hardy
‘The usual suspects will be up there in Portland Thorns and OL Reign, but I think North Carolina Courage have to be strong favourites. Their squad is packed with experience and talented players. Their front two of Lynn Williams and Jessica McDonald are arguably the best striking partnership in the NWSL.’ Abdullah Abdullah
‘I’d like to see the Thorns on top. They’ve got a really tricky preliminary round and won’t have Heath, but I can dream of a non-North Carolina Courage winner. I think Houston Dash might have some difficulties. Their squad doesn’t have a huge amount of depth to it and there isn’t much time for them to settle, but maybe they’ll surprise us.’ Jess Keating
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What are you most looking forward to from the tournament?
‘The platform that women’s football is being given — the first professional sport to return in America. Women’s football isn’t returning in every country so there is an additional pedestal for the league to capitalise on international viewership.’ Hannah Inglis
‘I think the Challenge Cup is going to be weird — and that's not a bad thing. We're going to see rookies get major minutes. We're going to see starting XIs that we wouldn't see otherwise. The tournament format means anything can happen. It's just so different from the grind of a regular season over 24 weeks that I can't wait to see how teams adjust and try to game this out.’ Meg Linehan
‘I'm really looking forward to seeing how far Chicago Red Stars will go during this competition considering that they've lost their top goal scorer Sam Kerr to the WSL.’ Fadumo Olow
‘I’m excited to see how Portland’s new young strike force works out. I'm a little more worried about Sky Blue, with Pugh also confirmed as missing out. They'll still be an interesting team to watch without Pugh and Lloyd, but may struggle for the lack of a difference-maker when the going gets tough. I always enjoy watching Chicago, and I think they may be even more interesting this year—as they’re forced to figure out how to score without a single dominant striker.’ Charles Olney
‘I think women’s football resuming is reason enough! But, the NWSL was quite competitive last season and even though it lost its biggest star in Sam Kerr, for me the most exciting moment will be seeing someone new to step up and prove themselves.’ Abdullah Abdullah
The NWSL Challenge Cup will kick off 27 June at 17:30 BST with North Carolina Courage taking on Portland Thorns FC. The match will air on CBS in the US, with the rest of the tournament available to stream on CBS All Access in the States and Canada and will re-air on CBS Sports Network. For outside the US, matches will be streaming on Twitch. For fixtures and more tournament info, head here.
Words: Lucy McCalmont
Photography: Goal Click and Instagram embeds