2020 NWSL Challenge Cup

To lessen the impact of fixture congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NWSL clubs will be permitted to roster up to 28 players each for the Challenge Cup (a temporary increase by two) and to make up to five substitutions in accordance with temporary rules and regulations from the International Football Association Board. Final tournament rosters must be submitted by June 21.[5] In order to hold the event as safely as possible, all teams will be quarantined during the entirety of the tournament in a so-called "NWSL village" with all housing provided by Dell Loy Hansen, owner of Utah Royals FC. Every player, official, and essential staff member will be tested for the coronavirus 48 hours prior to departure for Utah and will be subject to consistent testing, temperature readings, and symptom review throughout. The entire tournament will be held behind closed doors.[1][6]

The draw for the preliminary round was held on June 1, 2020, 12:00 ET, and streamed live on CBS Sports HQ.[8] The nine NWSL teams were drawn randomly into nine slots, which would determine each team's four-game schedule for the preliminary round.[9] After the draw concluded, the NWSL released the full schedule of the preliminary round to be played at Zions Bank Stadium.[10]

The Orlando Pride withdrew from the tournament on June 22, 2020.[2] One day later, the NWSL released a revised tournament schedule accordingly.[3]

The initial determining factor for a team's position in the standings is most points earned, with three points earned for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams are equal on points after completion of the preliminary round, the following criteria shall be applied to determine team rankings:[4]

1. Head-to-Head (only if two teams are tied and they’ve played each other).
2. Superior goal difference in all preliminary matches.
3. Greatest number of goals scored in all preliminary matches.
4. Lowest team conduct score relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained, where only one of the below point totals shall be applied to a player in a single match:
   1. yellow card: 1 point;
   2. indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
   3. direct red card: 4 points;
   4. yellow card and direct red card: 5 points.
5. Drawing of lots by the NWSL.

All game times are listed in MDT.

All game times are listed in MDT.

There have been 6 goals scored in 2 matches, for an average of 3 goals per match (as of June 27, 2020). Players highlighted in bold are still active in the competition.

1 goal

Source: NWSL

1 assist

Source: NWSL

A player will be automatically suspended for the next match for the following offences:[11]

• Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offences);
• Receiving two yellow cards in two matches; yellow cards expire after the completion of the quarter-finals;
• Direct red card suspensions are carried forward to future NWSL regular season matches, but indirect red card suspensions will not be carried forward to any future matches.

The following suspensions were served during the tournament:

The following awards will be given at the conclusion of the tournament:[4] The MVP (most outstanding player as voted by the media and sponsored by Budweiser), Golden Boot (top scorer), Golden Glove (best goalkeeper as voted by the media and sponsored by Verizon), NWSL Future Legend (the top-performing player in their first season with the NWSL), and Best XI (the best 11-players as voted by the players, media, fans, and GMs/coaches, and presented by Google[12]).