It's the most coveted trophy in the world, but it never looks the same. How should the league be treating their only non-regular season competition? Savannah McCaskill weights in.
It should be kept as a one-off game. Other leagues around the world have the same format, the previous year's league leader vs champion. In a few more years, nwsl clubs will be playing 38 league games plus concacaf, a possible us open cup, and international tournaments during june or in January/february. It's just too much.
All hope of the Challenge Cup being a multi game tournament has gone out the window with the league's recent expansion efforts. Make it one game at start of the season for the League and Playoff winners. It being in the middle of the season like this year makes little sense besides helping Gotham with the fixture congestion from the Champions Cup in London.
It should be kept as a one-off game. Other leagues around the world have the same format, the previous year's league leader vs champion. In a few more years, nwsl clubs will be playing 38 league games plus concacaf, a possible us open cup, and international tournaments during june or in January/february. It's just too much.
All hope of the Challenge Cup being a multi game tournament has gone out the window with the league's recent expansion efforts. Make it one game at start of the season for the League and Playoff winners. It being in the middle of the season like this year makes little sense besides helping Gotham with the fixture congestion from the Champions Cup in London.
The ever-changing format is nuts, but I have to say I flew to Columbus for the game and it was a blast!