The National Women’s Soccer League announced the structure for the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup on Monday. The tournament will feature Orlando Pride for the first time after the Lions had to sit out of the 2020 tournament.
Orlando has been is in the Eastern Division with North Carolina Courage, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit and the expansion Racing Louisville. They will play each team once, with two matches at Exploria Stadium.
There will be a one-off final for the trophy, with the winner of each division playing off for the final. The venue for that final will be set by the league at a later date, presumably the highest points tally of the finalists will have hosting rights.
With sponsorship from Secret the NWSL will continue the Rookie class program allowing first year players exposure and sponsorship money tied with the event.
“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.”
NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird
The league will shortly announce the full schedule for the Challenge Cup and the regular season, which will be back to a full season. Each team will play 24 matches, potentially with a break for the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
With expansion in 2021, the NWSL Playoffs are also expanding with six teams qualifying and the top two teams getting a first-round bye.
The NWSL regular season should begin in May with the Championship Game slated for Saturday November 20th.
PHOTO: NWSL
Florida Soccer Report 