Seeding, opening foe announced for Utah tournament
The Dash are seeded third for the National Women’s Soccer League’s 2020 Challenge Cup and will begin play July 1.
The NWSL is scheduled to be the first U.S. pro team league to return to play amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The 25-game tournament will be held in the Salt Lake City area starting June 27 with no fans in attendance.
The league’s nine teams will play four preliminary round games, with eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The final match on July 26 is set to be broadcast on CBS.
The Dash open against the North Carolina Courage in the preliminary round and also will face Sky Blue FC, the Chicago Red Stars and the Washington Spirit. The full schedule will be announced at a future date.
The players will be sequestered in facilities used by the NWSL’s Utah Royals and Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake, including a stadium and several training fields. The league’s 230 players and support staff will be housed either in complex dormitories or at a hotel.
The NWSL players’ association secured salary and insurance guarantees for all league players for the season during the negotiations over the tournament. U.S. Soccer and the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association also were involved in discussions.
All players have been given the opportunity to opt out of the tournament without losing pay if they have concerns about the coronavirus. Rosters are not due until June 21.
The Dash were 7-12-5 last season, their first under coach James Clarkson.