Set your calendars, we have a 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup schedule!

The National Women’s Soccer League announced the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup schedule this morning and all North Carolina Courage fans can tune in to the opening match against Portland Thorns FC at 12:30pm EST on June 27th. Sponsored by P&G and Secret, the tournament will be hosted on CBS, the CBS All Access platform and on Twitch for all international viewers. All matches will also be re-aired on the CBS Sports Network as well for those who can’t tune in live when the tournament starts.

Having such a big opening match on the main CBS network not only works out for Courage fans who are still to sign up for CBS All Access but also gives an opportunity for new fans to check out what has become one of the NWSL’s premier rivalries. The last time these two teams competed in the NWSL Championship final, the Courage ran out as 3-0 winners. Matches between the two teams are always a tough contest with heated match ups throughout the pitch. Having this be the opening game of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup looks to be an intriguing prospect. Most fans will expect the Courage to go far in this tournament and an opening day win against the Thorns, especially if it’s spectacular fashion, will definitely be a signal to the rest of the league of how the Courage are still the dominant team in the NWSL.

The NC Courage will then face the Houston Dash on July 1st, the Orlando Pride on July 5th and Utah Royals FC on July 12th. The trickiest prospect in those fixtures is the Utah Royals who have caused the Courage trouble in the past. However, Utah’s star player Christen Press will not be participating in this tournament and that will surely help the Courage in booking their place in the quarter finals, should they beat the Dash and the Pride as expected.

Official Challenge Cup Schedule

June 27 (12:30pm EST) | NC Courage vs Portland Thorns FC | CBS, CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 1 (10:00pm EST) | NC Courage vs Houston Dash | CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 5 (10:00pm EST) | NC Courage vs Orlando Pride | CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 12 (12:30pm EST) | NC Courage vs Utah Royals FC | CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 17-18 (12:30pm EST/10:00pm EST) | Challenge Cup quarter finals | CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 22 (12:30pm EST/10:00pm EST) | Challenge Cup semi finals | CBS All Access, Twitch (international)

July 26(12:30pm EST) | Challenge Cup final | CBS, CBS All Access, Twitch (international)