All rosters and updated schedule released for NWSL Challenge Cup

The National Women’s Soccer League today announced an updated schedule for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.

Due to Orlando Pride’s withdrawal, the league will continue with an eight-team, 23-game tournament. The NWSL has also released the full rosters for all eight clubs.

CBS will air the opening match between North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns FC on June 27, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. MDT and the final on July 26, 2020. The full tournament will be streamed live on CBS All Access in the U.S. and Canada and will re-air on CBS Sports Network. Fans outside the U.S. and Canada can stream the full tournament on Twitch.

The full updated schedule can be viewed below.

The rosters for all eight clubs are highlighted with many key players from around the league. When the NWSL kicks off as the first professional team sports league to return to action in the U.S., the defending champion North Carolina Courage will take the pitch with key members from the United States women’s national team’s World Cup victory in 2019 including defender Abby Dahlkempher, midfielders Crystal Dunn and Sam Mewis as well as forward Jess McDonald. The Chicago Red Stars will be led by a strong backline of Julie Ertz, Casey Short, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.

Several international stars will take the field in Utah, including the Courage’s Brazilian star Debinha, international goalscoring record holder and Portland Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair, and England and Houston Dash forward Rachel Daly.

The start of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup will also see the long-awaited debuts of the top 2020 draft picks. Portland selected teenager Sophia Smith with the number one overall selection and she’ll be joined by fellow rookie Morgan Weaver, who was drafted number two overall. Forward Tziarra King looks to make her debut with the tournament host, Utah Royals FC.

Complete rosters are listed below.

2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Broadcast Schedule

**All games will be streamed outside the U.S. and Canada on Twitch**

**All games will re-air on CBS Sports Network**

The roster key is as follows: 

FED (Federation Player): Players who have their salaries paid by the U.S. Soccer Federation or the Canadian Soccer Association
INT (International Player): Any player using an international roster spot
CDP (College Draft Pick): Any player chosen in the 2020 NWSL College Draft

CHICAGO RED STARS

Goalkeepers (3): Emily Boyd, Cassie Miller, Alyssa Naeher (FED-USA)

Defenders (11): Camryn Biegalski (CDP), Julia Bingham (CDP), Tierna Davidson (FED-USA), Hannah Davison, Julie Ertz (FED-USA), Zoey Goralski, Sarah Gorden, Zoe Morse (CDP), Kayla Sharples, Casey Short (FED-USA), Bianca St. Georges

Midfielders (7): Morgan Brian (FED-USA), Danielle Colaprico, Vanessa DiBernardo, , Savannah McCaskill, Yuki Nagasato (INT-JPN), Cassie Rohan, Ella Stevens (CDP)

Forwards (7): Makenzy Doniak, Rachel Hill, Katie Johnson, Sarah Luebbert, Zoe Redei, Michele Vasconcelos, Kealia Watt*

*Kealia Watt (formerly Ohai)

HOUSTON DASH

Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Amanda Dennis, Lindsey Harris

Defenders (5): Allysha Chapman, Katie Naughton, Megan Oyster, Ally Prisock, Erin Simon

Midfielders (8): Shea Groom, Haley Hanson, Cece Kizer, Kristie Mewis, Christine Nairn, Cami Privett, Sophie Schmidt, Bri Visalli

Forward (8): Bridgette Andrzejewski (CDP), Rachel Daly (INT-ENG), Jamia Fields, Veronica Latsko, Maegan Kelly, Kayla McCoy, Nichelle Prince, Katie Stengel

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

Goalkeepers (3): Stephanie Labbé (FED-CAN), Samantha Murphy, Katelyn Rowland

Defenders (11): Lindsay Agnew, Abby Dahlkemper (FED-USA), Jaelene Daniels, Abby Erceg, Hailey Harbison, Kaleigh Kurtz, Hailie Mace, Merritt Mathias, Addisyn Merrick (CDP), Sinclaire Miramontez (CDP), Ryan Williams

Midfielders (7): Debinha (INT-BRA), Crystal Dunn (FED-USA), Samantha Mewis (FED-USA), Lauren Milliet, Denise O’Sullivan (INT-IRE), Cari Roccaro, Meredith Speck

Forwards (5): Kristen Hamilton, Jessica McDonald, McKenzie Meehan, Ally Watt (CDP), Lynn Williams

* Jaelene Daniels (formerly Hinkle) and Samantha Murphy (formerly Leshnak)

OL REIGN

Goalkeepers (3): Michelle Betos, Casey Murphy, Carly Nelson

Defenders (10): Lauren Barnes, Amber Brooks, Alana Cook, Steph Cox, Machaela George, Madison Hammond, Celia Jiménez Delgado (INT-ESP), Adrienne Jordan, Kristen McNabb, Taylor Smith

Midfielders (8): Morgan Andrews, Shirley Cruz (INT-CRC), Jess Fishlock, Kelcie Hedge (CDP), Allie Long (FED-USA), Rebecca Quinn (INT-CAN), Dani Weatherholt, Rosie White (INT-NZ)

Forwards (7): Bethany Balcer, Sofia Huerta, Darian Jenkins, Mariah Lee, Nicole Momiki, Jasmyne Spencer, Jodie Taylor

PORTLAND THORNS FC

Goalkeepers (3): Bella Bixby, Britt Eckerstrom, Adrianna Franch (FED-USA)

Defenders (9): Kelli Hubly, Meghan Klingenberg, Emily Menges, Meaghan Nally (CDP), Madison Pogarch, Katherine Reynolds, Becky Sauerbrunn (FED-USA), Autumn Smithers, Christen Westphal

Midfielders (6): Celeste Boureille, Lindsey Horan (FED-USA), Emily Ogle, Rocky Rodríguez Rodriguez (INT-CRC), Angela Salem, Gabby Seiler

Forwards (7): Simone Charley, Marissa Everett, Tyler Lussi, Anika Rodriguez, Christine Sinclair (FED-CAN), Sophia Smith (CDP), Morgan Weaver (CDP)

SKY BLUE FC

Goalkeepers (4): Didi Haracic, Megan Hinz, Amanda “Mandy” McGlynn (CDP), Kailen Sheridan (FED-CAN)

Defenders (9): Jennifer Cudjoe (INT-GHA), Sabrina Flores, Mandy Freeman, Estelle Johnson, Gina Lewandowski, Kaleigh Riehl (CDP), Domi Richardson, Erica Skroski, Chantelle Swaby (CDP)

Midfielders (9): Cassidy Benintente, Nicole Baxter, Elizabeth Eddy, Naho Kawasumi (INT-JPN), Margaret “Midge” Purce, Madison Tiernan, Sarah Woldmoe, Kenie Wright, McCall Zerboni

Forwards (5): Imani Dorsey, Paige Monaghan, Ifeoma Onumonu, Domi Richardson, Evelyne Viens (INT-CAN/CDP)

UTAH ROYALS FC

Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Abby Smith, Melissa Lowder

Defenders (10): Elizabeth Ball, Rachel Corsie, Taylor Leach, Gaby Vincent, Katie Bowen, Kelley O’Hara (FED-USA), Mallory Weber, Marissa Sheva, Michelle Maemone, Maddie Nolf

Midfielders (8): Vero Boquete, Diana Matheson (FED-CAN), Desiree Scott (FED-CAN), Chestley Strother, Lo’eau Labonta, Aminata Diallo (INT-FRA), Gunny Jonsdottir, Kate Del Fava (CDP)

Forwards (7): Brittany Ratcliffe, Amy Rodriguez, Arielle Ship, Tziarra King (CDP), Taylor Lytle, Holly Daugirda, Raisa Strom-Okimoto

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Bledsoe, Devon Kerr, Katie Lund

Defenders (8): Tegan McGrady, Sam Staab, Paige Nielsen, Jenna Hellstrom (INT-CAN), Brooke Hendrix, Tori Huster, Kaiya McCullough (CDP), Natalie Jacobs (CDP)

Midfielders (8): Dorian Bailey, Jaye Boisierre, Jordan DiBiasi, Meggie Dougherty Howard, Rose Lavelle (FED-USA), Meghan McCool, Jessie Scarpa, Andi Sullivan

Forwards (7): Averie Collins (CDP), Bayley Feist, Ashley Hatch, Katie McClure (CDP), Ashley Sanchez (CDP), Crystal Thomas, Kumi Yokoyama (INT-JPN)