CHICAGO, IL–The Second NWSL Challenge Cup will begin how the first one ended–with current holders Houston Dash taking on the Chicago Red Stars. Last July, the Dash defeated the Red Stars, 2-0, at Rio Tinto Stadium to claim the inaugural cup which was created in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the start of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the teams will play at BBVA Stadium on Friday, April 9th at 7:30pm CT on CBS Sports Network. The full schedule for the Cup will be announced on Tuesday. This year, the teams will be divided geographically into East (Sky Blue FC, Washington, North Carolina, Orlando, and Racing Louisville) and West (Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, OL Reign, and Portland).
It will be a singular round-robin group stage within each division and the winners of each group will advance to the final which will be aired on CBS. CBS Sports Network will air the opener and three additional matches and the remainder will be streamed on Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) in the US and on Twitch internationally.
“We’re ready to build on our success of the last year and I couldn’t be more excited to open the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret the same way we left off in the summer of 2020, watching Houston and Chicago showcase the very best in women’s professional soccer,” said NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird. “I want to thank Secret for once again helping us put on this incredible event, and for their continued commitment to the NWSL and our players, including the NWSL’s 2021 rookie class.”
In other news, the NWSL reported just one positive test out of 565 since February 27th for individuals associated with NWSL teams.
All necessary contact tracing is being conducted according to the league, and the individual who received a positive result, as well as any close contacts, are self-quarantining and following the guidance provided by their respective medical staffs and the league’s medical protocols.
The NWSL will continue to provide weekly COVID-19 testing updates.
