The National Women's Soccer League will be the first professional team sports league in the United States to resume play with the Challenge Cup in Utah on June 27. On Monday, the nine slots for the competition was unveiled on CBS Sports HQ. The first day of action will feature the Chicago Red Stars taking on the Orlando Pride and the two-time defending champion North Carolina Courage against the Portland Thorns.
The tournament opener and final will air on CBS, and all other games will be on CBS All-Access in the United States and Canada, while matches will re-air on CBS Sports Network.
Here's what you need to know about Monday's slot draw:
Team slots
- Chicago Red Stars
- Washington Spirit
- Houston Dash
- Utah Royals
- North Carolina Courage
- Sky Blue FC
- Portland Thorns FC
- OL Reign
- Orlando Pride
Competition format
All nine teams will play four games in the opening stage in order to determine the eight quarterfinalists in the knockout stage. The semifinals and finals will take place at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Preliminary round schedule
Saturday, June 27
1. Chicago Red Stars vs. 9. Orlando Pride
5. North Carolina Courage vs. 7. Portland Thorns FC
Tuesday, June 30
2. Washington Spirit vs. 4. Utah Royals FC
8. OL Reign vs. 6. Sky Blue FC
Wednesday, July 1
7. Portland Thorns FC vs. 9. Orlando Pride
5. North Carolina Courage vs. 3. Houston Dash
Saturday, July 4
1. Chicago Red Stars vs. 4. Utah Royals FC
2. Washington Spirit vs. 8. OL Reign
Sunday, July 5
5. North Carolina Courage vs. 9. Orlando Pride
3. Houston Dash vs. 6. Sky Blue FC
Wednesday, July 8
2. Washington Spirit vs. 7. Portland Thorns FC
4. Utah Royals FC vs. 8. OL Reign
Thursday, July 9
9. Orlando Pride vs. 6. Sky Blue FC
1. Chicago Red Stars vs. 3. Houston Dash
Sunday, July 12
4. Utah Royals FC vs. 5. North Carolina Courage
7. Portland Thorns FC vs. 8. OL Reign
Monday, July 13
1. Chicago Red Stars vs. 6. Sky Blue FC
2. Washington Spirit vs. 3. Houston Dash
Odds
Here's a look at the Willam Hill Sports Book odds with the Courage leading the charge:
- North Carolina Courage (+160)
- Chicago Red Stars (+300)
- Portland Thorns FC (+500)
- OL Reign (+600)
- Utah Royals FC (+800)
- Washington Spirit (+1,000)
- Houston Dash (+2,000)
- Sky Blue FC (+3,000)
- Orlando Pride (+4,000)
For more on the NWSL, click here.