As soccer in the United States begins to get under way at the professional levels, several area players will take the pitch beginning Saturday in the National Women's Soccer League's Challenge Cup in Utah, a month-long event that will serve as a replacement for the 2020 season.
Among the rosters of the eight teams participating (Orlando withdrew due to a COVID-19 outbreak a week prior) are Sofia Huerta, Kelcie Hedge, Morgan Weaver and Averie Collins.
Huerta, a native of Boise, is the veteran of the group having played in the league since 2015 after finishing a stellar career at Santa Clara University. She begins her first season with OL Reign of Seattle after spending most of her career with the Chicago Red Stars (2015-18) and Houston Dash (2018-19).
Hedge is following in Huerta's footsteps as another Idaho and Santa Clara product representing the Reign. The First Round draft pick hails from Post Falls and played for the Broncos the past three years after initially beginning her career at the University of Washington.
Also a part of the 2020 NWSL Rookie Class are Weaver and Collins, both coming from Washington State University, though Collins came by way of Stanford, where she earned her degree. Weaver was taken second overall in the draft by Portland Thorns and Collins, a native of Bozeman, Montana, went 17th to the Washington Spirit.
The tournament kicks off June 27 with two games. CBS will broadcast the opening match between Portland Thorns and North Carolina Courage at 9:30 am. The opener and the remainder of the schedule will be broadcast on CBS All Access, the online subscription service. The Final, set for July 26, will also air on CBS. The online subscription runs per month at a rate of 5.99 for limited commercials and 9.99 ad free, though an annual payment comes with a further discount.
2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Schedule
Saturday, June 27... 9:30 AM... NC Courage v Portland Thorns FC
Saturday, June 27... 7:00 PM... Chicago Red Stars v Washington Spirit
Tuesday, June 30... 9:30 AM... Houston Dash v Utah Royals FC
Tuesday, June 30... 7:00 PM... OL Reign v Sky Blue FC
Wednesday, July 1... 9:30 AM... Portland Thorns FC v Chicago Red Stars
Wednesday, July 1... 7:00 PM... Washington Spirit v NC Courage
Saturday, July 4... 9:30 AM... Utah Royals FC v Sky Blue FC
Saturday, July 4... 7:00 PM... Houston Dash v OL Reign
Sunday, July 5... 9:30 AM... NC Courage v Chicago Red Stars
Sunday, July 5... 7:00 PM... Portland Thorns FC v Washington Spirit
Wednesday, July 8... 9:30 AM... Utah Royals FC v OL Reign
Wednesday, July 8... 7:00 PM... Sky Blue FC v Houston Dash
Sunday, July 12... 9:30 AM... Washington Spirit v Houston Dash
Sunday, July 12... 7:00 PM... Chicago Red Stars v Utah Royals FC
Monday, July 13... 9:30 AM... OL Reign v Portland Thorns FC
Monday, July 13... 7:00 PM... Sky Blue FC v NC Courage
Friday, July 17... 9:30 AM... Quarterfinal 1
Friday, July 17... 7:00 PM... Quarterfinal 2
Saturday, July 18... 9:30 AM... Quarterfinal 3
Saturday, July 18... 7:00 PM... Quarterfinal 4
Wednesday, July 22... 9:30 AM... Semifinal 1
Wednesday, July 22... 7:00 PM... Semifinal 2
Sunday, July 26... 9:30 AM... Championship
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