First Official Pro Contact Sports Event Since COVID-19 Started
Opening Match Between North Carolina and Portland Scheduled for June 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. MDT on CBS
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) today announced an updated schedule for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret. Due to Orlando Pride’s withdrawal, the league will continue with an eight-team, 23-game tournament. The NWSL has also released the full rosters for all eight clubs.
CBS will air the opening match between North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC on June 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. MDT and the final on July 26, 2020.
Read: 2020 NWSL CHALLENGE CUP KICKS OFF
The full tournament will be streamed live on CBS All Access in the U.S. and Canada and will re-air on CBS Sports Network. Fans outside the U.S. and Canada can stream the full tournament on Twitch.
The rosters for all eight clubs are highlighted with many key players from around the league.
When the NWSL kicks off as the first professional team sports league to return to action in the U.S., the defending champion North Carolina Courage will take the pitch with key members from the United States women’s national team’s World Cup victory in 2019 including defender Abby Dahlkempher, midfielders Crystal Dunn and Sam Mewis as well as forward Jess McDonald. The Chicago Red Stars will be led by a strong backline of Julie Ertz, Casey Short and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
Several international stars will take the field in Utah, including the Courage’s Brazilian star Debinha, international goalscoring record holder and Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair, and England and Houston Dash forward Rachel Daly.
The start of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup will also see the long-awaited debuts of the top 2020 draft picks.
Portland selected teenager Sophia Smith with the number one overall selection and she’ll be joined by fellow rookie Morgan Weaver, who was drafted number two overall. Forward Tziarra King looks to make her debut with the tournament host, Utah Royals FC.
Complete rosters are listed below.
2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Broadcast Schedule
| DATE | TIME (MDT) | VENUE | HOME | AWAY | PLATFORM |
| Saturday, June 27 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | NC Courage | Portland Thorns FC | CBS & CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Saturday, June 27 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Chicago Red Stars | Washington Spirit | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Tuesday, June 30 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Houston Dash | Utah Royals FC | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Tuesday, June 30 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | OL Reign | Sky Blue FC | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Wednesday, July 1 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Portland Thorns FC | Chicago Red Stars | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Wednesday, July 1 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Washington Spirit | NC Courage | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Saturday, July 4 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Utah Royals FC | Sky Blue FC | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Saturday, July 4 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Houston Dash | OL Reign | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Sunday, July 5 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | NC Courage | Chicago Red Stars | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Sunday, July 5 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Portland Thorns FC | Washington Spirit | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Wednesday, July 8 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Utah Royals FC | OL Reign | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Wednesday, July 8 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Sky Blue FC | Houston Dash | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Sunday, July 12 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Washington Spirit | Houston Dash | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Sunday, July 12 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Chicago Red Stars | Utah Royals FC | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Monday, July 13 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | OL Reign | Portland Thorns FC | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Monday, July 13 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Sky Blue FC | NC Courage | CBS ALL ACCESS |
| Friday, July 17 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Quarterfinal 1 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Friday, July 17 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Quarterfinal 2 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Saturday, July 18 | 10:30 AM | Zions Bank Stadium | Quarterfinal 3 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Saturday, July 18 | 8:00 PM | Zions Bank Stadium | Quarterfinal 4 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Wednesday, July 22 | 10:30 AM | Rio Tinto Stadium | Semifinal 1 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Wednesday, July 22 | 8:00 PM | Rio Tinto Stadium | Semifinal 2 | CBS ALL ACCESS | |
| Sunday, July 26 | 10:30 AM | Rio Tinto Stadium | Championship | CBS & CBS |
The roster key is as follows:
FED (Federation Player): Players who have their salaries paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation or the Canadian Soccer Association
INT (International Player): Any player using an international roster spot
CDP (College Draft Pick): Any player chosen in the 2020 NWSL College Draft
CHICAGO RED STARS
Goalkeepers (3): Emily Boyd, Cassie Miller, Alyssa Naeher (FED-USA)
Defenders (11): Camryn Biegalski (CDP), Julia Bingham (CDP), Tierna Davidson (FED-USA), Hannah Davison, Julie Ertz (FED-USA), Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Zoe Morse (CDP), Kayla Sharples, Casey Short (FED-USA), Bianca St. Georges
Midfielders (7): Morgan Brian (FED-USA), Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, , Savannah McCaskill, Yuki Nagasato (INT-JPN), Cassie Rohan, Ella Stevens (CDP)
Forwards (7): Makenzy Doniak, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Sarah Luebbert, Zoe Redei, Michele Vasconcelos, Kealia Watt*
*Kealia Watt (formerly Ohai)
HOUSTON DASH
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Amanda Dennis, Lindsey Harris
Defenders (5): Allysha Chapman, Katie Naughton, Megan Oyster, Ally Prisock, Erin Simon
Midfielders (8): Shea Groom, Haley Hanson, Cece Kizer, Kristie Mewis, Christine Nairn, Cami Privett, Sophie Schmidt, Bri Visalli
Forward (8): Bridgette Andrzejewski (CDP), Rachel Daly (INT-ENG), Jamia Fields, Veronica Latsko, Maegan Kelly, Kayla McCoy, Nichelle Prince, Katie Stengel
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
Goalkeepers (3): Stephanie Labbé (FED-CAN), Samantha Murphy, Katelyn Rowland
Defenders (11): Lindsay Agnew, Abby Dahlkemper (FED-USA), Jaelene Daniels, Abby Erceg, Hailey Harbison, Kaleigh Kurtz, Hailie Mace, Merritt Mathias, Addisyn Merrick (CDP), Sinclaire Miramontez (CDP), Ryan Williams
Midfielders (7): Debinha (INT-BRA), Crystal Dunn (FED-USA), Samantha Mewis (FED-USA), Lauren Milliet, Denise O’Sullivan (INT-IRE), Cari Roccaro, Meredith Speck
Forwards (5): Kristen Hamilton, Jessica McDonald, McKenzie Meehan, Ally Watt (CDP), Lynn Williams
* Jaelene Daniels (formerly Hinkle) and Samantha Murphy (formerly Leshnak)
OL REIGN
Goalkeepers (3): Michelle Betos, Casey Murphy, Carly Nelson
Defenders (10): Lauren Barnes, Amber Brooks, Alana Cook, Steph Cox, Machaela George, Madison Hammond, Celia Jiménez Delgado (INT-ESP), Adrienne Jordan, Kristen McNabb, Taylor Smith
Midfielders (8): Morgan Andrews, Shirley Cruz (INT-CRC), Jess Fishlock, Kelcie Hedge (CDP), Allie Long (FED-USA), Rebecca Quinn (INT-CAN), Dani Weatherholt, Rosie White (INT-NZ)
Forwards (7): Bethany Balcer, Sofia Huerta, Darian Jenkins, Mariah Lee, Nicole Momiki, Jasmyne Spencer, Jodie Taylor
PORTLAND THORNS FC
Goalkeepers (3): Bella Bixby, Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch (FED-USA)
Defenders (9): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally (CDP), Madison Pogarch, Katherine Reynolds, Becky Sauerbrunn (FED-USA), Autumn Smithers, Christen Westphal
Midfielders (6): Celeste Boureille, Lindsey Horan (FED-USA), Emily Ogle, Rocky Rodríguez Rodriguez (INT-CRC), Angela Salem, Gabby Seiler
Forwards (7): Simone Charley, Marissa Everett, Tyler Lussi, Anika Rodriguez, Christine Sinclair (FED-CAN), Sophia Smith (CDP), Morgan Weaver (CDP)
SKY BLUE FC
Goalkeepers (4): Didi Haracic, Megan Hinz, Amanda “Mandy” McGlynn (CDP), Kailen Sheridan (FED-CAN)
Defenders (9): Jennifer Cudjoe (INT-GHA), Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Estelle Johnson, Gina Lewandowski, Kaleigh Riehl (CDP), Domi Richardson, Erica Skroski, Chantelle Swaby (CDP)
Midfielders (9): Cassidy Benintente, Nicole Baxter, Elizabeth Eddy, Naho Kawasumi (INT-JPN), Margaret “Midge” Purce, Madison Tiernan, Sarah Woldmoe, Kenie Wright, McCall Zerboni
Forwards (5): Imani Dorsey, Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Domi Richardson, Evelyne Viens (INT-CAN/CDP)
UTAH ROYALS FC
Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Abby Smith, Melissa Lowder
Defenders (10): Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie, Taylor Leach, Gaby Vincent, Katie Bowen, Kelley O’Hara (FED-USA), Mallory Weber, Marissa Sheva, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf
Midfielders (8): Vero Boquete, Diana Matheson (FED-CAN), Desiree Scott (FED-CAN), Chestley Strother, Lo’eau Labonta, Aminata Diallo (INT-FRA), Gunny Jonsdottir, Kate Del Fava (CDP)
Forwards (7): Brittany Ratcliffe, Amy Rodriguez, Arielle Ship, Tziarra King (CDP), Taylor Lytle, Holly Daugirda, Raisa Strom-Okimoto
WASHINGTON SPIRIT
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Devon Kerr, Katie Lund
Defenders (8): Tegan McGrady, Sam Staab, Paige Nielsen, Jenna Hellstrom (INT-CAN), Brooke Hendrix, Tori Huster, Kaiya McCullough (CDP), Natalie Jacobs (CDP)
Midfielders (8): Dorian Bailey, Jaye Boisierre, Jordan DiBiasi, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Rose Lavelle (FED-USA), Meghan McCool, Jessie Scarpa, Andi Sullivan
Forwards (7): Averie Collins (CDP), Bayley Feist, Ashley Hatch, Katie McClure (CDP), Ashley Sanchez (CDP), Crystal Thomas, Kumi Yokoyama (INT-JPN)
**All games will be streamed outside the U.S. and Canada on Twitch**
**All games will re-air on CBS Sports Network**
Source: Release
