The National Women’s Soccer League will be the first American team sport to resume play during the coronavirus when matches kick off in Utah Saturday.
With 10 of 11 starters from the 2019 NWSL championship team returning, the North Carolina Courage remain heavy favorites entering the Challenge Cup. However, the league features a wealth of talented teams that could thrive during the single-elimination round of the tournament.
Between star departures and banner trades, the offseason saw a major shakeup of rosters across the league. Injuries and decisions to opt out have impacted other powerhouses such as the Utah Royals, the Portland Thorns and OL Reign.