Canadians among first back on field with NWSL Challenge Cup
Shelina Zadorsky and Erin Mcleod are ready to get back on the field and pave the way for a return of North American professional sports from the COVID -19 pandemic.
The two Canadian internationals will take the field with the Orlando Pride when the National Women’s Soccer League becomes the first pro league to resume play with the Challenge Cup from June 27 to July 26.
The month-long, 25-game tournament will feature all nine NWSL teams and is being held in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
“I have to give our league credit and all the medical professionals working with our league to try to put together the safest protocols and working with Utah to come up with this tournament,” Zadorsky said. “I think they’ve done so much work behind the scenes and we’re still ironing out details here and there, but on the whole, I feel so grateful we’ve been able to set this up and we can feel safe that we’re progressing toward the tournament.”
The round robin portion of the tournament will take place in the Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah, with the semifinals and final scheduled for Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, just south of Salt Lake City.
All the teams will stay in a nearby NWSL village created to keep players and staff isolated for the duration of the tournament.
“I think it’s been an interesting process,” Mcleod said. “The idea was proposed to us not that long ago and I know that some people were on board right away and some people had a lot of questions because in the middle of a pandemic, safety is a real issue.
“We’re really lucky in Orlando; our doctors are heading the protocols and making sure this tournament is a success and is keeping people safe. There is a lot of things in play and I’m very grateful that I have a good mindfulness practice because stress is very high at the moment and you take sport into account and all that, it’s a lot.”
Mcleod, 37, is happy to just be back on the field after battling a foot injury for the past year and a half. The longtime Canadian starting goalkeeper, who has been with the national team since 2002 and won bronze at the 2012 Olympics, missed out on last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I feel really good,” Mcleod said.
Mcleod is entering her first season with Orlando after playing in Europe the past four years. Defender Zadorsky, 27, is entering her third season with Orlando, which also features Brazilian star Marta, along with U.S. internationals Alex Morgan, Ali Krieger and Sydney Leroux.
NWSL teams were in training camp when things were suspended on March 12 due to the pandemic. NWSL teams are back practising in small groups leading into full training sessions.
The Pride will play the Chicago
Red Stars, Portland Thorns — featuring Canadian star Christine Sinclair — the defending two-time champion North Carolina Courage, and Sky Blue FC in its opening four round robin games. Eight of the nine teams will move on to the one-game knockout stages.
“We’re coming off a tough season, but I’m confident in our team, we have such an incredible roster,” Zadorsky said.
“Now, it’s about working with our staff and getting into that groove. I think we’re all jelling together and it’s incredible the calibre of players we have here and I’m excited to see what we can do.”
With the NWSL getting on the field before any other major North American league, a lot of eyes will be on the players to see how they adjust to the shortened format and how well safety protocols are maintained.
“I don’t know if we intend to claim that first spot, but I think it shows how hard our commissioner and staff have worked to get this going,” Zadorsky said. “They’ve taken all the medical advice and I know other leagues around the world want to do this and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are other similar types of tournaments happening.”
The NWSL is among the top professional women’s leagues in the world, and produces a high number of world-class players. The goal of the league is to continue growing and develop the game.
“I think this will give us the opportunity to be seen by a lot of Canadians and Americans and people around the world,” Mcleod said. “I think it’s really important to showcase women’s soccer.
“Even looking back at my career, when I stared I was wearing men’s jerseys in goal and they were so long it was like a dress — and now the level of professionalism is incredible and to be able to share that with as many people I think is really important.”