Both the Fire and the Red Stars are preparing for Orlando and Utah, respectively. The former now knows what times they are playing while the latter announced their roster for the NWSL Challenge Cup. Now the details:
FIRE SCHEDULE SET: Chicago Fire FC’s schedule is now set for the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Their first match will be July 8th at 9:30pm CT against Nashville SC and former captain Dax McCarty. The Fire were not originally scheduled to play Nashville this season, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed plans. The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Then, the Fire will have an 8am kickoff on Tuesday, July 14th against Inter Miami. That match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Finally, the Fire play New York City FC on Sunday, July 19th on FS1 and TUDN at 7pm.
Also in Group A with the Fire are Orlando City SC and Philadelphia Union, but the Fire will not be playing them.
The top two teams in each of the six groups, plus the four best third-place teams will advance to the knockout stages starting July 25th.
RED STARS ROSTER: The Chicago Red Stars will have virtually a full roster when they begin play in the NWSL Challenge Cup in Utah starting on Saturday against Washington (9pm, CBS All Access). All five of the Red Stars’ Federation players–goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Casey Short and Tierna Davidson, and midfielders Julie Ertz and Morgan Brian headline a 28-woman squad. Also included are Japanese international Yuki Nagasaton and offseason acquisitions Kealia Watt (neé Ohai) and Rachel Hill.
Alyssa Mautz is not on the squad after suffering a torn ACL. Danielle Colaprico and Davidson are on the squad despite injuries.
“Vanessa (DiBernardo) and Morgan are healthy, which they haven’t been for the last two years,” said Red Stars head coach Rory Dames. “But Tierna and Danny aren’t (100%), so you’re going to give some younger players a chance to play. You also don’t want to break Vanessa and Morgan for a seven-game event as opposed to having them healthy when March rolls around next year.
“We’ll definitely be finding a balance and making sure we manage the players. But we’re going to give players a chance and a run out so we can evaluate them.”
