Anson Dorrance is one of the most decorated coaches in the history of sports. Under his direction, the University of North Carolina has won 21 of the 31 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships. As coach of the USWNT, Dorrance won the first Women’s World Cup in 1991. Below, he spoke with Just Women’s Sports about his experience with the USWNT and his subsequent falling out with US Soccer. 

You coached the USWNT to the first Women’s World Cup in 1991. What was special about that team?

What was fabulous about the first Women’s World Cup is that we played a 3-4-3 line-up on the field. Out of the front seven girls, six were extraordinary one-on-one artists and only one of the players in that seven would rather pass the ball instead of dribble through you. The front line was amazing. It was so amazing that the Chinese press called them the ‘triple-edged sword.’ On the left, Carin Jennings would be slicing you up. In the middle was Michelle Akers and on the right was April Heinrichs — all of them extraordinary one-on-one artists.

Then, in the midfield, on the left side was Kristine Lilly and on the right side was Mia Hamm — both could go right through you. Julie Foudy was this wonderful galloping, center midfielder who loved to penetrate off the dribble. Then there was Shannon Higgins, the only girl who liked to pass the ball. She assisted both of Michelle Akers goals in the World Cup final, one off a set piece, one on a through ball. Our foundation was 1 v 1 play but Higgins’ assists were the margin of victory in the final.

Why did you step back from the National Team in 1994? 

When I was coaching the National Team, it was a part-time position. They wanted to make it a full-time position for me. I don’t know if you know anything about my history with the National Team, but what’s interesting about those positions is you spend most of your life pulling daggers out of your back. It’s just not that much fun.

Back then, so much of US Soccer was run by voting. You would be voted into this position, voted into that position, and you would politic your way up the ladders in administration. The dilemma with being a national coach back then was that it didn’t matter what roster you picked — you always ended up cutting star players under different state administrators and regional administrators. Immediately, since they are all politicians, they would have each other on speed dial, whining and complaining to US Soccer about all the players I picked. Part of it was very transparent. I picked a lot of UNC players. Why? Because we kicked everyone’s ass in those days. Most of the best players in the country were Tar Heels, but I would never pick a Tar Heel over a player who was better.

For me, coaching the national team was a political nightmare. I never enjoyed it. I also hated being reprimanded by my superiors for not picking the correct teams. I have so many wounds on the top of my back. It’s just one stabbing after another. On the other hand, I loved everything about the University of North Carolina, so that’s what I decided to dedicate my life to.

img
DORRANCE WITH BRANDI CHASTAIN IN 1991 (GETTY IMAGES)
Was there one specific moment when you decided to leave the National Team? 

I was at war with US Soccer from the day I was hired. One year, it was so apparent that all of my critics were lined up against me. We were about to play Germany who, at the time, was the reigning World Champion on the men’s side. They were coming over to play us and all of the US Soccer leaders were so afraid that we were going to get humiliated by the Germans on our home soil that I was attacked by so many different people about the roster I had picked. The criticism I received was embarrassingly hollow. Of the 18 players on the National Team, nine were Tar Heels. Of course, you can see how they were screaming favoritism and blah, blah, blah.

Before we played Germany, there was an Olympic development program where the National Team, the Under-19 National Team and two other teams made up of the best players in the country competed in a tournament. We played round-robin and my National Team beat every one, but the team we had the most trouble with was the U-19 team — we only beat them two to zero. One girl said to me, “Anson, your first team is incredible, but at this point we’re not really competing for a position on the first 11. You have 18 players. What about the bottom seven?” And I thought, that’s completely legitimate criticism.

Now we are in the gold medal game playing the U-19 team again, but we’re starting our entire bench. The team that the starters only beat two to zero, the reserves are now beating nine to zero. I had a philosophy back then to never beat a team by more than nine, so I subbed the starters in and instructed them to just play possession. Well, April Heinrichs was a great captain for me and she knew all of the pressure and criticism I was under — and she wanted to make a statement. She went out and, on a corner kick, ran in from the top of the box and volleyed the ball into the back of the net.

Anyway, that is what’s going on. Now we’re about to play the Germans. We had just finished winning the game against the youth team 10 to zero and the Secretary General for US Soccer came into my locker room and said, “What’s this I hear that you haven’t picked the best team?” I’m thinking to myself, are you kidding me? Did you just watch that game? That was our reserve unit against a team the starters only beat two to zero. I was so mad at the guy.

We proceeded to beat Germany by a wide margin. All of a sudden, the same idiot who challenged me after the 10 to zero victory tried to give me a hug after the Germany game. I said, “Get the hell out of here.” Basically, that was it.

Tony DiCicco took over as head coach for the National Team after you left. How did you feel about that transition?

I don’t know if you’re aware of this but I planned my own successor, which of course, isn’t allowed. The US Soccer President is supposed to pick the National Team coach. I didn’t trust any of them to do that. Basically, I conspired with Tony. I said, “Tony, in this upcoming camp, I’m going to appoint you the National Team coach and tell the players I’m resigning. I’m going to move cones for you but you’re in charge and you’re playing them.” Of course, he was nervous because we weren’t following protocol, but I trusted him.

Here’s the other thing that a lot of people don’t understand. In 1991, going into that World Cup, I told my boss, “Just tell US Soccer at the end of this event, I’m resigning.” He told me, “You can’t do that.” And I said, “Yes, I can. I am never going to give these people the satisfaction of firing me. I’m resigning now and I’m timing it for the last game. If we lose in group play, I resign. If we win the World Championship, I resign.”

I made that very clear to him and, after we won the whole thing, he begged me to stay. I stuck around for another two or three years. Then, Tony and I conspired and when I appointed him head coach, of course, US Soccer was mad as hell but I would never work for them.

They offered me a full-time job but there was no freaking way I was going to put my family in jeopardy by working for them full time. I tried to make a deal with Sunil Gulati [former President of the US Soccer Federation] where I wouldn’t talk to the press or tell them I appointed my own successor. In exchange, I asked him if I could be in charge of player development. I even offered to do it for free. I was afraid that all those political operatives would ruin what we started. He said okay, but then they banned me from US Soccer for 17 years.

Why did they ban you from US Soccer?

Because I appointed my successor.

Did they share that publicly? 

No. In fact, you can ask Jill Ellis about it. About 12 or 13 years into my ban, Jill brought me in to help her train the U-20 National Team for a week. So, I went to help and, while I was there, she got a call from Dan Flynn [CEO and Secretary General of US Soccer] chastising her for hiring me to work at the camp. Jill had no idea I had been banned.

Basically, Jill wasn’t allowed to bring me back to the camp anymore once she discovered that I was on the hit list. The irony is that I never threw US Soccer under the bus. I was good. I didn’t criticize any of the coaches they appointed at any level. In fact, I supported them on their mission. I always supported player development. And, obviously, I worked hard to make sure the collegiate game could be a feeding ground for US Soccer.

Were there any other unfortunate run-ins with US Soccer administrators over the years?

While I’m on this US Soccer hit list, I still have things to do. One of my favorite moments came out of the blue. Jürgen Klinsmann read one of my books and loved it. He called me and asked if I wanted to join him in Germany — he was coaching the German men’s national team at the time. I don’t want to pretend that I had anything to do with the German success on that run, but I was there at all the training sessions. I would have breakfast, lunch and dinner with Jürgen. Whenever he flew first class to a game, I was right there next to him. When we were watching Bayern Munich play, I was there in the VIP lounge, dropping caviar into my mouth after my lobster.

To make a long story short, the Germans played the US the week I was there with Jürgen and they beat us by a wide margin, but I’m not sitting in the US section. I’m sitting in the German section. Why? Because I’ve been banned by US Soccer.

I could see Sunil sitting in the US section and he was irate during the game because the Germans were beating the US team. Sunil thought I had something to do with it. I could tell he was angry with me, but I had no issues — every part of that trip for me was first class.

How were you eventually unbanned from US Soccer? 

One day, I finally called up Sunil. He wasn’t the one who banned me. Sunil is a friend of mine. He understood and I understood — I’m not allowed to appoint my successor. I didn’t have any issue with that, but I wanted to run player development. So, I called Sunil and asked, “Am I still on your hit list? Am I still banned from US Soccer?” He said, “No, no. We took you off that list a while ago. You’ve suffered enough.” Then, the next year, I won the Werner Fricker award, which is the highest award in US Soccer.

Given your history with US Soccer, what do you think about everything that’s going on now, especially in terms of equal pay initiatives? 

Cindy Parlow is the US Soccer President right now and she’s a former player of mine. You are never going to hear any criticism from me. Even when I was banned, all I have ever been critical of are the policies for player development. I think that’s the only area I can speak to because that’s my area of expertise.

I’m not going to speak to equal pay — I’m not qualified. I will certainly speak to player development. Here’s what I know. With Cindy Parlow as US Soccer President, there is no way that they are going to treat the women poorly. I think the direction we’re going to go in with Cindy as President is going to be a wonderful direction. Are we going to solve everything at once? Of course not, but we are going to go in the right direction for the men and the women.

Cindy is going to be a wonderful leader. Keep in mind the people that she has on speed dial — Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy. Her reference book of experts in this game is as long as my arm. I’m actually convinced she’s going to work herself to death. The best thing about Cindy being in this position is that she doesn’t even want it. She is the classic servant leader. I have all the confidence that she’s going to do a good job and that we’re going to go in the right direction.

You mention being critical of the player development policies. How do you think these policies could be changed? 

Here’s what drives me a little batshit crazy. We are a dynastic force in women’s soccer, but who is setting the template for player development in the United States? People from Holland. We are the reigning World Champions. We are four-time World Champions. We are four-time Olympic gold medalists. I think the Europeans should be looking to us on the women’s side for player development ideas.

What we really need are genuine leaders at the top who understand how to win the trust of all the people that work for them. The way you win trust is by being transparent and by bringing people into the room to discuss decisions.

img
DORRANCE WITH UNC IN 1994 (DAVID MADISON/GETTY IMAGES)
Are there any player development policies you feel particularly strongly about?

Substitution. Here’s what’s happening right now, which is sort of interesting. FIFA is going to have a five substitution rule because they are going to have these crammed seasons and they don’t want people to get hurt. I saw an article where everyone was attacking this new rule, but one person said, “You know, once they go to five, they are not going to go back because they are going to discover the value of substitution.”

Obviously, it’s counter-intuitive to think that substitutions are good for player development. Most people think that the way you develop a great player is you put them out there in the field and you don’t substitute them. According to the culture of our game, when you sub someone out, they have to kick buckets and make it look like they’re really pissed — they turn into flaming idiots as they walk towards the bench, avoiding the coach’s handshake and kicking the first water bottle they see. They feel disrespected.

Here’s what is actually true about substitution. You should use substitution as another marker of competition so that you substitute at the point where a fatigued superior player is not as good as a fresh inferior player. The competition for the superior player is to win more time against her touchstone, her counterpart. That’s the competition. The counterpart’s challenge is to eat into the time of the starter.

If you want to motivate players to their potential, you use substitution as a cattle prod. It drives people to stay on the field longer. And, what qualifies you to stay on the field longer is certainly your fitness base. So, those both play into each other.

How have you put that philosophy into practice during your time at North Carolina? 

We’ve always done things differently at North Carolina. Of course, we suffer from all kinds of criticism because of the way we do things. I understand that you have to do that, especially if you’re recruiting against us. You have to pretend that substitution is bad for player development. You have to tell these great players that they are going to be subbed if they come to North Carolina.

Here’s the other thing that people don’t understand about these ridiculous substitution rules. Are you familiar with the birth month anomaly? On almost every national team’s roster, the players are born in January, February, March or April. Why? Because they are the oldest in their age group.

As a coach, you only have a certain amount of breath at a practice, so who do you coach? You coach the alphas. You don’t coach the betas. It’s human nature. You coach the ones that are going to help you win the most. It’s not like you dislike the other kids. Great coaches are tied in emotionally and spiritually with everyone on their roster. But if we have a game tomorrow and we’re playing Stanford and I’m talking strategy, I’m not talking to the kid who doesn’t even travel with us. I’m talking to the kids who I’m going to play. That’s human nature.

These players then become the starters. And when the national coaches are looking at players to bring in, they bring in the kids who are playing the most and who are invested in the most.

I can’t remember who I was having this debate with. Maybe it was Sunil or maybe it was one of his minions who thinks they are an expert in player development. On whatever roster I pulled up, the US Women’s National Team had a balance of players born in almost every month. Do you know why? Because in our culture, we substitute. A kid born in December is going to get subbed in and she is going to be hanging on by her freaking fingernails against the player born in January who is twice as big and twice as fast. That little wily kid born in December is going to have to develop a skill set to survive.

Substitution has a positive player development quality. Even Mia Hamm at UNC and Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini and Cindy Parlow were all subbed out. Did that interfere with their player development? Did that interfere with Tobin Heath’s player development or Crystal Dunn’s? Hell no.

One of the most wonderful comments made during this past World Cup came from someone who did the math and said, “You know, on the four World Championship US teams, one out of three players on all four rosters was a Tar Heel.”

Thank you. You know how we did it? We did it by substituting.

The NWSL’s Challenge Cup provided fans with a number of electric goals as soccer made its triumphant return. With the tournament officially concluded, we’re looking back at our top 10 scores. 

 

10. GROOM HITS A BULLET

Shea Groom’s shot is the definition of a banger. Receiving the pass from Houston Dash teammate Katie Stengel, Groom absolutely hammers the ball into the upper 90 of the back post. Her exceptional goal helped Houston to tie the Utah Royals 3-3 in preliminary play.

 

9. SOMEONE GIVE LAVELLE A ROSE

Rose Lavelle drives forward, slipping in a dangerous ball to her teammate, Ashley Hatch, who had made a diagonal run into the box. Although Hatch isn’t able to finish, Lavelle follows up and roofs her shot, giving the Washington Spirit their first goal of the tournament in a 2-1 defeat to the Chicago Red Stars. Name one thing Lavelle can’t do. We dare you.

 

8. GET THE BALL TO LYNN WILLIAMS

Lynn Williams used the Challenge Cup to cement her reputation as one of the league’s premier strikers. Here, she resiliently runs through a slide tackle on the flank and continues to dribble straight to goal. Cutting in front of her defender, Williams finds the perfect angle for a shot, and finishes with nothing but class, leading Carolina to a 2-0 victory of Washington.

 

7. MEWIS’ GOAL IS PICTURE PERFECT

You couldn’t have scripted this goal better if you tried. After intercepting a risky ball played out wide, Houston’s Brianna Visalli feeds a slip ball into Shea Groom, who cleverly rolls it back to Kristie Mewis. The Dash midfielder hits a spectacularly driven ball into the side panel of the goal, helping the future tournament champions edge OL Regin 2-0 in group play.

 

6. WEAVER TELLS THE REIGNING CHAMPS TO PACK THEIR BAGS

Rookies aren’t supposed to make game-winning goals look easy, but no one seems to have told that to Portland’s Morgan Weaver. Cutting in from the back post, Weaver beats her defender and places the ball just outside the reach of Carolina’s goalkeeper, earning the Thorns a 1-0 victory over the two-time defending champs. Not a bad way to start your career.

 

5. STAAB EQUALIZES WITH A CHEEKY PLAY

We swear these kids get younger everyday. A backheel flick from the winner of the NWSL’s Future Legend award Ashley Sanchez sets her second-year teammate Sam Stabb up to head the ball over Portland’s defense into the back of the net. Staab’s first NWSL goal gave her team the extra point it needed to tie the Portland Thorns 1-1 versus their third game of the tournament. Watch out for this pair of players down the line.

 

4. KAWASUMI SHOOTS HER SHOT

Nahomi Kawasumi excels at playing a short-sided game, but she also can hit the long-ball when needed. She launches this rocket from 40 yards out, catching Houston Dash’s goalkeeper Jane Campbell off her line. Kawasumi’s goal doubled Sky Blue’s lead, securing a 2-0 against the eventual Challenge Cup champs Houston Dash

 

3. SHEA GROOM, YOU’RE CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF

Tournament MVP Rachel Daly hits a total bomb, finding her teammate Shea Groom back post. An unmarked Groom takes flight, defying gravity to head the ball home in Houston’s 2-0 win against Ol Reign. ‘Groom airlines is now boarding group A. We repeat, Groom airlines is now boarding Group A.’

 

2. LINDSEY HORAN. ENOUGH SAID.

Lindsey Horan is an absolute Queen. After teammate Meghan Klingenberg hits a dinker off a free-kick, Horan’s diving header just brushes the goalkeeper’s fingertips before finding the back of the net. Horan’s score helped the Thorns tie the Spirit 1-1, and was eventually voted the play of the tournament. We might politely disagree, but we’re certainly not surprised.

 

1. GROOM PUTS THE DAGGER IN

Houston’s Rachel Daly plays a flawlessly weighted through-ball ahead to her teammate Shea Groom, who pushes straight to goal, touching the ball past Alyssa Naeher before putting the game away. Groom’s stoppage-time goal doubled Houston’s lead against Chicago in the Challenge Cup final, solidifying H-town’s victory and giving the Dash their first major title.

Even without the roar of the crowd, the Challenge Cup has reached its peak. On Sunday, sixth-seed Chicago meets fourth-seed Houston in Rio Tinto Stadium to conclude a month of chaos.

Both Chicago and Houston have been held scoreless three times. Both sides have also scored three goals in a game. Entering the semifinal, both teams had a -1 goal differential.

With the tale of the tape so similar, the final may come down to intangibles. After a grueling schedule, nothing may be more important than endurance. As of Sunday, Chicago will have played its seven games in 29 days compared to Houston’s 26. If the Red Stars benefit from a few extra days, then Houston benefits from an extra 9.5 hours of rest between the semifinal and the final.

Chicago was built for this tournament. In early matches, Rory Dames rotated his starting squad, getting valuable looks at players for the future and preserving legs. Last game made clear that the Red Stars do not need the ball to win. They would prefer to get running.

At the same time, despite the rotation, Chicago looked incredibly tired last game. Sky Blue’s second goal came because Katie Johnson did not press the backline, allowing Midge Purce to streak down the right side unimpeded. Johnson had a great game, but up two goals for the majority of the game and chasing the ball, she faded as the game wore on. Roughly a half hour later, Johnson was laying on the grass, exhausted. But she and the Red Stars did just enough to secure a spot in the championship game.

Houston is on the rise. They have channeled years of underappreciation into a cohesive message. They have played themselves into their first championship game. Not only are they creating plenty of opportunities, including 14 shots and four on frame in the semifinal, but they have found an emotional leader in Rachel Daly.

Chicago is where they are expected to be. While nothing is guaranteed in a tournament format, a fact that the North Carolina Courage proved, the Red Stars find themselves where they were a year ago — in a championship game.

Chicago has also lost many more players to injury. While Houston only lists Megan Oyster as questionable, Chicago has six players listed as out, including Morgan Gautrat, Yuki Nagasato and Tierna Davidson, and two more are questionable. The status of Casey Short is presently unknown.

In terms of play, Houston rises and falls with Kristie Mewis and Shea Groom. The midfield sets up everything that James Clarkson wants his side to accomplish. Katie Naughton and, when healthy, Megan Oyster have anchored the backline. The center back pairing each have a pass completion percentage greater than 78%.

For Chicago, Sarah Gorden has had an excellent Cup, exemplified by her 82.4% pass completion, the highest on her squad for any player with over 100 minutes. Julie Ertz has maintained and even raised her level of excellence; she truly dictates play from wherever she is on the pitch. Seven games without a front post header seems too long and the own goal will only feed her fire.

Sky Blue’s comeback is worth mentioning because as dominant as Chicago looked for the first hour of their semifinal collision, Sky Blue never quit. While the team from New Jersey was a sneaky pick in this tournament, they were very much an underdog against Chicago. It would have been easy for Sky Blue to be happy making it to the semifinal round, but even behind three goals, there was never resignation.

The two early goals obviously shocked Freya Coombe’s squad, but the veteran on-field leadership of McCall Zerboni re-assembled the team in a crucial huddle. The team did not concede for the rest of the half, and even when Chicago found a third goal with Sky Blue pressing for one of their own, New Jersey continued to believe.

It was no accident that getting Evelyne Viens and Imani Dorsey on the pitch precipitated the two goals. Most directly, Viens started the scoring with a flick header goal over the outstretched arms of Naeher, assisted of course by Zerboni. Less obviously, Dorsey’s presence on the left of the defense allowed Purce to push higher for that second goal.

While Portland made the most of their one true chance against North Carolina, they did not even find one against Houston. The Thorns, without a whole host of players, but most significantly with no Lindsey Horan, did not put a shot on goal.

Since allowing three goals in the opener, Houston’s defense has made tremendous strides. Its offense has risen and fallen, but seems to be peaking. The same can be said for the Red Stars. In its most recent game, Chicago scored more goals than the rest of the tournament combined.

Predicting the outcome of the final is a fool’s errand. Chicago has the experience in pressure moments, but Houston has not hid from the bright lights so far. The Dash prey on defensive lapses for goals, which are rarities for an Ertz-led defense, but not nonexistent.

In the end, I think Houston just wants it a little more. And given the mental and physical fatigue that has accumulated after a month in the bubble, that could prove to be the difference.

Prediction: Houston 2, Chicago 1

Shea Groom is a forward for the Houston Dash of the NWSL. She spoke with Just Women’s Sports about the team’s semifinal victory over the Portland Thorns, and what they’ll need to do against Chicago in order to take home the Challenge Cup trophy this Sunday. 

The team came up huge against Portland. Can you walk me through your thoughts on the game? 

Portland’s an incredible team and they have shown that throughout their history in the league. Anytime you go against them, you’re going to expect good soccer and that you have to bring your best game. Walking into the game, we knew we had to be prepared, and that’s something that we’ve taken pride and responsibility in throughout this tournament. We were not doubting each other in our locker room at all. I felt like we came into that game fully believing that we were going to win it, and I don’t think we ever stopped believing. And then once we were able to get the goal, we just said, anything to win, defend for your life, and let’s get to the finals because that’s why we’re here. It was a fun win. And I’m really glad that I could do it alongside these players and for this club and organization

You won in the quarterfinals on PKs after a scoreless draw. For a while, it looked like the semis might also go to penalties. What did it mean to finally get that goal in regular time? 

I think we’ve had a weird tournament to begin with. I don’t think if you would have told anyone that we were going to come out and score three goals in the first game that they would have believed you. James [Clarkson, head coach] has given some crazy stats to us, like last year the team had zero or maybe a couple two goal games, but never a three-goal game. They didn’t score off the set piece once last year. So we are definitely a different team and a different look, and obviously it came with a little bit of pressure once we got later into the third and fourth game. But going into penalties, I think you never want to really leave it to that and get in that situation. Against Portland, I felt like we were on the front foot and we had enough chances in that game to have earned at least one goal. We were ready to push until the end to get a goal, and we kept our foot on the gas pedal.

We spoke with Rachel Daly earlier in the tournament and she defined the team’s mentality as “do or die.” What are your thoughts about that and your perspective on the team’s mentality up to this point?

For sure. It’s been fun to be a part of a side that has a clear identity and not something that was forced upon us. I think it happened organically. And someone said to me, I think it might’ve been Katie Naughton, she called us “the band of misfits,” just because I feel that a lot of us come from similar journeys or backgrounds, being tossed around teams or been on teams that weren’t necessarily competitive in the past or that found success. And we all came here and it kind of works. I think we have that “taking it personal” mentality. It reminds me a lot of what Michael Jordan said in The Last Dance. He always took things personally, even when people didn’t mean it that way.

And I know a lot of media and articles have come out saying we’ve finally earned our respect, and it’s funny because I think that no one’s thought that for a second. Even making it to the finals and rewriting a lot of the stigma that’s around the Dash, we still feel like there’s so much to do and that there’s always going to be people that think we just got here by happenstance. And it’s definitely been fun to be a part of that identity and to enter into every game like we have something big to prove. And I think for me personally, I relate to that so much, and feeling like I have a big chip on my shoulder, and wanting that respect, but also not needing it in the same breath. And I think James has done an incredible job creating that culture and bringing players in that fit, not just on the soccer field but off the field as well. It’s definitely been fun, and definitely I think something that will continue to be a part of this culture long past the Challenge Cup.

What does your preparation look like ahead of Sunday’s final? 

We’ve played a lot of games, so recovery is absolutely the most important thing. If we can get as many players as possible to go into the final game feeling good and healthy and well-rested, then I think we’ll have the best chance. There’ll be a lot of that, and then a lot of preparation. And while we’ll be preparing for Chicago and the weapons that they have, I think it’s also fine just tuning up what we have going on and making sure that it’s all ready to go and that we’re able to bring our best on Sunday. Hopefully we’re bringing home a championship.

Has there been any talk about a specific focus or game plan for Red Stars? 

Not yet but there will be. I definitely think that we really look into how other teams play and where we can exploit other teams with what we have. Obviously they’re an incredibly talented team and have a lot of players either with the national team or on the cusp of the national team, but I think we’ll match up well. And it’s been interesting being on the other side of it. Just the past couple of days, some of the girls have thought, “Oh, Portland and Chicago, we haven’t done well against these teams in the past.” And I’m over here like, “I’ve only been on teams that beat Portland or Chicago so why are you guys scared?” So it’s been fun to sort of mess with players like that and just saying this is a new team, and there’s nothing to be afraid of, and we have a good side. And I think as long as we believe that and we come out and compete, then we can take any team in this league.

What do you think it would mean for the team to win the Challenge Cup?

It would mean everything. People don’t even know the half of it. This team has been through everything. And I think a lot of people from the outside think, “Oh the bubble’s hard,” and everything. But we’ve had players lose their dad right before the tournament started. We had a player lose their grandfather a couple of days ago. Obviously some internal things going on with the team as well. And it seems like every other day we’re battling something hard off the field, and then we have to go play 90 minutes. And then watching our city suffer and be in the middle of some of the worst parts of this pandemic, it’s been really hard and dark sometimes, and we feel like we’ve been able to bring a little bit of light and a little bit of hope, and a little bit of healing through what we do, and hopefully that includes bringing a championship home. I think it would be incredible for our club and our city, and incredible for the players and all that we’ve dealt with. I want it so bad just for them.

The WNBA is officially back for a 24th season inside the affectionately named “Wubble.”

The shortened, 22-game regular season tips off Saturday, July 25th in Bradenton Florida, with an intriguing matchup between Seattle and New York. While all twelve teams are present in the wubble, players had the option to opt out. Like the NWSL, the players negotiated with the WNBA to earn their full contracted salaries, but, unlike the NWSL, those who opt out will only receive those salaries if they’re considered to be “at-risk” for health complications from Covid-19.

While some players have opted out for health reasons, others have opted out to focus their time on advocacy. WNBA players have already proven their ability to effect change, with Maya Moore opting out of the past two seasons to help overturn the conviction of Jonathan Irons. This season, Natasha Cloud, Renee Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes have joined Moore to lend their voice to Black Lives Matter and other issues.

Even those who chose not to step away will still have the opportunity to support the movement. Black Lives Matter will feature prominently on every court, “Say Her Name” will be written on pregame warmup shirts, and custom jerseys will include a patch honoring Breonna Taylor.

“We have always been at the forefront of initiatives with strong support of #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, the LGBTQ+ community, gun control, voting rights, #MeToo, mental health and the list goes on,” said Nneka Ogwumike, the player’s union president. “This is not only necessary from a humanitarian perspective, but it may be one of the biggest opportunities that this league has and will ever have.”

While we can’t know ahead of time what the WNBA will accomplish through its Justice Movement platform and the player-led Social Justice Council, our bet is: a lot.

Sticking with Ogwumike, her sister and Los Angeles Sparks teammate Chiney was one player who opted out due to injury concerns. Outside of Chiney, however, the Sparks retain much of their core, with a big three of Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray and Nneka Ogwumike leading the way. Parker missed 12 games last season with an injury and scored just 11.2 points per game, well below her career average 17. Now healthy, Parker should become a favorite target for Gray, who is coming off her first All-WNBA First Team honor after ranking second in the league in assists last season.

img
MEG OLIPHANT/GETTY IMAGES

While Los Angeles chose to keep none of its own draftees, New York took the opposite approach, signing a whopping seven rookies to its 2020 roster. At the head of the class is No. 1 pick and potential superstar Sabrina Ionescu. Everyone in the league wants to know if or how quickly Ionescu’s triple-double prowess will translate in the pros. But surrounded by fellow rookies, and with a first-year head coach in Walt Hopkins, it might be wise to temper expectations as we wait to see whether this group can gel. Any positive momentum they’re able to generate would be enormous heading into 2021.

The Dallas Wings are another franchise that will look to assemble a new team on the fly. After finishing as runner-up for Rookie of the Year, Arike Ogunbowale will now pair with second overall draft pick Satou Sabally as the core of a young squad. With the addition of Tyasha Harris in the draft, Ogunbowale will be able to move off the ball to find better looks. The trade for Katie Lou Samuelson should also open up the court even more. Given their youth, though, the most important question is what kind of chemistry the team can foster while bunkered down at IMG.

In a slightly different situation, the Phoenix Mercury have their own chemistry to work on, as they work to integrate a new big three in Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Coming off a 15-19 season and a playoff berth in 2019, the Mercury traded three first-round draft picks for Diggins-Smith, a three-time All-WNBA selection whose addition immediately elevates this already-talented team.

Griner has been on the cusp of an MVP award her entire career, and after averaging over 20 points per game for the third year straight finished second in last season’s voting. Most importantly, after being limited to six games last season, Taurasi, the league’s all-time leading scorer, should be back to full strength.

Speaking of GOATs, the Seattle Storm have their own returning to the court. On the strength of Sue Bird as well as 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart, the Storm were unanimously voted the top team in the AP power poll heading into the Wubble. That same panel selected Stewart as the AP preseason player of the year as she comes back from an Achilles’ tendon tear. Bird missed last season recovering from knee surgery. If both Natasha Howard, who last season averaged five more points per game than her previous best, and Jewell Loyd play to their potential, Seattle will have a long run in the Wubble. For Seattle, it all depends on how well these stars mesh, and how quickly.

When Tamika Catchings was named the GM of the Indiana Fever, the organization was hoping for a quick turnaround. After three straight seasons missing the playoffs since Catchings retired and a 28-74 overall record, Marianne Stanley took over on the bench. This is a franchise with pedigree and a WNBA record for most consecutive playoff appearances with 12 straight from 2005 to 2016. Candice Dupree is not merely a veteran presence, she also put up 11.6 PPG in a little over 30 minutes per contest last year. Coupled with an up-and-coming star in Teaira McCowan, who last season ranked second in the league in rebounds and 10th in blocks, Indiana has a lot to like. Kelsey Mitchell will grow more in her third season, while rookie Lauren Cox can be an immediate contributor.

The two teams mentioned before, Indiana and Seattle, have done something no other WNBA franchise has: make the playoffs for 10 straight seasons. The Minnesota Lynx are just one season away from reaching double digits and have already won four championships in that stretch. Pushing the season count to 10, and the title count to five, would cement the Lynx dynasty. Last year, in what was a down year for Sylvia Fowles, she posted her lowest scoring average since coming to Minnesota, but still finished third in the league for rebounds and tied for seventh in blocks.

Starting every regular season game and playing a league-high 33.3 minutes per game as a rookie, Napheesa Collier averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.91 steals and 0.94 blocked shots. The reigning Rookie of the Year was a steal at sixth in the draft, but as a team captain will see her role grow in year two. The Lynx are hoping either this year’s sixth pick, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, or Crystal Dangerfield, who fell to 16, will be the season’s surprise rookie.

If we are talking about history, then the Washington Mystics have a chance to make their own. No team has repeated as champions since 2002, when the Sparks ended their two year run on top. Before that, the Houston Comets’ dynasty won four straight. Since then, no one has found the magic sauce. Washington will have to ask itself, what does it take to repeat? The recipe likely doesn’t start with roster turnover, which is what the Mystics are facing. Although Elena Delle Donne was controversially denied a medical exemption for being “at-risk,” she will not play in 2020. Tina Charles has been medically exempted, Kristi Toliver was traded in the offseason, and both Natasha Cloud and LaToya Sanders have opted out, leaving just Ariel Atkins from the starting five in the title-clinching Game 5. Emma Meesseman is capable of a starting role but the roster flux has to dampen any expectations of back-to-back titles.

img
LINDSAY WASSON/GETTY IMAGES

When Tamika Catchings was named the GM of the Indiana Fever, the organization was hoping for a quick turnaround. After three straight seasons missing the playoffs since Catchings retired and a 28-74 overall record, Marianne Stanley took over on the bench. This is a franchise with pedigree and a WNBA record for most consecutive playoff appearances with 12 straight from 2005 to 2016. Candice Dupree is not merely a veteran presence, she also put up 11.6 PPG in a little over 30 minutes per contest last year. Coupled with an up-and-coming star in Teaira McCowan, who last season ranked second in the league in rebounds and 10th in blocks, Indiana has a lot to like. Kelsey Mitchell will grow more in her third season, while rookie Lauren Cox can be an immediate contributor.

The two teams mentioned before, Indiana and Seattle, have done something no other WNBA franchise has: make the playoffs for 10 straight seasons. The Minnesota Lynx are just one season away from reaching double digits and have already won four championships in that stretch. Pushing the season count to 10, and the title count to five, would cement the Lynx dynasty. Last year, in what was a down year for Sylvia Fowles, she posted her lowest scoring average since coming to Minnesota, but still finished third in the league for rebounds and tied for seventh in blocks.

Starting every regular season game and playing a league-high 33.3 minutes per game as a rookie, Napheesa Collier averaged 13.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.91 steals and 0.94 blocked shots. The reigning Rookie of the Year was a steal at sixth in the draft, but as a team captain will see her role grow in year two. The Lynx are hoping either this year’s sixth pick, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, or Crystal Dangerfield, who fell to 16, will be the season’s surprise rookie.

If we are talking about history, then the Washington Mystics have a chance to make their own. No team has repeated as champions since 2002, when the Sparks ended their two year run on top. Before that, the Houston Comets’ dynasty won four straight. Since then, no one has found the magic sauce. Washington will have to ask itself, what does it take to repeat? The recipe likely doesn’t start with roster turnover, which is what the Mystics are facing. Although Elena Delle Donne was controversially denied a medical exemption for being “at-risk,” she will not play in 2020. Tina Charles has been medically exempted, Kristi Toliver was traded in the offseason, and both Natasha Cloud and LaToya Sanders have opted out, leaving just Ariel Atkins from the starting five in the title-clinching Game 5. Emma Meesseman is capable of a starting role but the roster flux has to dampen any expectations of back-to-back titles.

The team that pushed Washington to a Game 5, the Connecticut Sun, are facing a similar year of potential turbulence. Without the presence, or 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, of Jonquel Jones, the Sun will turn to a Thomas and Thomas pair. Last season, Alyssa Thomas was named an All-Star and Second Team All-Defense, both for the second time, despite playing through torn labrums in both shoulders. In the playoffs, she added four points per game to her regular season average and doubled her assists per game. That toughness and clutch performing will be crucial in the sprint-like season. Right there alongside her is Jasmine Thomas. All over the league leaderboards in 2019, Thomas ranked sixth in assists and eighth in steals. The trade for DeWanna Bonner could result in a high-powered big three, but the jury is still out on how well their games will complement.

The Chicago Sky would love to have a player like Jasmine Thomas, who has been named to the All-Defensive team three years straight. Protecting the basket remains a concern for the Sky. While Chicago scored the second most points in the league last season, they also allowed the second most on defense. Some of that can be attributed to their pace of play and the extra possessions it generates for their opponents (which explains why the team was 11th in total points allowed but eighth in defensive rating), but that is still not good enough. The core of Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Stefanie Dolson all re-signed and Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams are still on their rookie contracts. The biggest additions are Azurá Stevens, Sydney Colson and rookie Ruthy Hebard, who should all see minutes as they complement the core group. Both the old and the new will need to come together to shore up the defense.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Atlanta Dream, who finished at the bottom of the league in scoring. With the added burden that the top three scorers from last season are either sitting out, as is the case for Hayes and Renee Montgomery, or were traded, as was Brittney Sykes, the Dream are now tasked with finding a new identity. Just two players are returning from the team that finished 8-26 and at the bottom of the league last season. Despite the almost entirely new roster, there is a chance the outcome is the same. Neither Monique Billings or Elizabeth Williams are natural players to build around. Billings averaged 5.5 points and 6.9 rebounds in her second season and Williams is now three years removed from her 2017 All-Star season. A lot rests on the shoulders of Chennedy Carter, who left college a year early to become the franchise’s highest draft pick since Angel McCoughtry in 2009. Carter is a prolific scorer who was reliable for 21.3 points per game at Texas A&M. As a rookie, she’ll be asked to carry the team, and where she goes, so will Atlanta.

The loss of McCoughtry for Atlanta is a gain for the Las Vegas Aces. McCoughtry has been one of the top scorers in the league since her rookie season in 2009, but it has been almost two years since her last All-Star appearance. A’ja Wilson could have an MVP-type year after a sparkling 2019 season in which she averaged 20.7 points and eight rebounds a game with a 28.9% usage rate. While Kelsey Plum, a former first overall pick, will miss the season with a torn Achilles, 2019 first pick Jackie Young could find a bigger role in her second season. Meanwhile, Liz Cambage’s decision to opt out of the season will give 2019 Sixth Woman of the Year Dearica Hamby an opportunity to start. An interesting note is that despite a league-best 36.7% 3-point percentage last year, the Aces attempted just 15.0 3-pointers per game, the fewest in the league. That could change this year. With an abundance of talent, the biggest question for the Aces is how quickly they can find the right balance to exploit it.

img
SCOTT TAETSCH/GETTY IMAGES

Finally, plenty of us are simply wondering: what is Wubble life like? And how will players cope as days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months of isolated basketball? Some of the players kids’ various exploits have been revealed, but this unique season will certainly leave plenty of people wanting to know more, and some of most intriguing storylines may end up being those off the court.

Regardless, expect a season of surprises — let’s just hope they’re mostly the fun kind.

Sabrina Ionescu may be the most hyped WNBA rookie we’ve seen in some time, but she won’t be the only first-year player we expect to make some noise in the WNBA bubble. Here’s five other names to keep an eye on as the “Wubble” season begins.

 

CHENNEDY CARTER, GUARD, #3, ATLANTA DREAM

The Atlanta Dream just about won the lottery with Chennedy “Hollywood” Carter falling to the 4th spot in the WNBA draft. With Tiffany Hayes opting out of the 2020 season, Carter will see time early and often. She is a sharp handler who averaged over 20 points per game throughout her three year career at Texas A&M. Just in case she needed higher expectations, legendary PG Sue Bird touted Carter as the draft pick most likely to star in the league. NEED WE SAY MORE?

 

SATOU SABALLY, FORWARD, #0, DALLAS WINGS

After giving up her own senior year at Oregon, Satou Sabally was the second pick overall in the 2020 draft. Standing at 6’4’’, her post presence and rangy shooting abilities will be called upon early by a young Dallas Wings roster. At Oregon, Sabally thrived in a system run by (you guessed it) Sabrina Ionescu. Will she be able to step up for a relatively inexperienced Wings side? If she does, the German native is definitely one to watch as a sleeper ROY contender.

 

RUTHY HEBARD, FORWARD, #24, CHICAGO SKY 

The final part of the 1-2-3 Oregon Ducks punch, Ruthy Hebard was selected 8th overall in the 2020 draft after compiling a 68.5 field goal percentage in college. Joining a veteran Chicago Sky roster this season, Hebard is only going to get better and better as she learns from the likes of Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot and Diamond DeShields. We expect Hebard to shine in valuable minutes as she continues to develop her game without being forced to carry a team.

 

TYASHA HARRIS, GUARD, #52, DALLAS WINGS 

After breaking every single South Carolina assists record, Tyasha Harris became the 7th overall pick in the 2020 draft and the third pick by the Dallas Wings. The selfless point guard is one who constantly looks to set her teammates up for success. With the Wings drafting young and signing new shooting talent in Katie Lou Samuelson and Marina Mabrey, Harris will have ample opportunities to start racking up assists as she dishes the ball to a promising Wings squad.

 

JAZMINE JONES, GUARD, #23, NEW YORK LIBERTY

The third rookie to be drafted by New York Liberty, Jazmine Jones is a young (but talented) guard on an extremely young (but extremely talented) Liberty team. Averaging 14.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while at Louisville, Jones will have to adapt her game quickly to compete. She has both the drive and work ethic to do so, and has already signed with Tarbes Gespe Bigorree to play overseas once the WNBA season ends. While all eyes will be on Ionescu, Jones will be one of six other rookies on the Liberty squad who will be pressed into serious action in their first years as pros.

Gina Lewandowski plays for Sky Blue FC. She spoke with Just Women’s Sports ahead of Sky Blue’s semifinal clash with Chicago tonight about what the club needs to do to continue its run through to the NWSL Challenge Cup finals. 

You guys upset Washington in the quarterfinals in penalties. What was your mindset heading into the shootout?

PKs can always be a nerve-wracking experience for any team, and they’re not necessarily the way you want to end the game. But I think we’ve been able to fortunately practice them throughout the weeks leading up to the tournament, as well as every day during the tournament. We’ve been getting some reps in to get that consistency in each person’s shot. We have a great goalkeeper too who has done very well in that aspect, so I think we were confident at that point in the game.

Prior to PKs, it seemed like it was a pretty high energy game. There were a lot of shots, a couple of misses. What were your thoughts about the level of play?

We were able to control parts of the game, play our tempo, play our style. I think Washington, they also had their moments in the game where they were dangerous in front of the goal. But each team was having difficulty finding the back of the net, and I guess the longer the game went on, the thought crosses your mind in the back of the mind that, “Okay, well, if the teams aren’t going to score, we’ll go into penalty kicks.” But we kept pushing until the end. Even in stoppage time, we were pushing and trying to get a couple of corner kicks, a couple shots.

Is fatigue a factor? 

For sure. With any tournament situation, and especially this type of tournament, with the schedule, plus the heat and the altitude, there will be a lot of fatigue. But you have to go with the cards you’ve been given. We’ve just tried our best to adjust as quickly as possible. And luckily, our organization, our staff, our coaches, and our trainers have all done a great job helping us adjust as quickly as possible. I think playing so many games back-to-back, no matter if you play one, two, three, four games, there’s fatigue there. It’s just a matter of how can you rest, recover and put in your best performance during the next game.

It’s hard for people to judge on TV, but how hot has it been in Utah? 

I feel like it’s getting hotter by the day. The 10:30am game is definitely a much different feeling than it is in the evening. The heat is scorching pretty much in the morning right at ten on the turf, and the heat has gotten a little worse over the last few days. So yeah, I guess we’re glad to be playing in the evening semifinal, just from a temperature standpoint. But both teams are in the same boat, so it’s all about how you’re performing that day. How do you take on the challenge that’s presented to you?

What is the team’s focus heading into the semis?

We have been resting, recovering, fueling our bodies to prepare for the game. I think doing everything we can off the field to put our bodies, our minds, in 100% shape. As we get closer to the start, we’ll talk more about what we’re doing on the field as a team. But a lot of it is just getting our bodies to recover as quickly as possible, and then fuel them up heading into the game.

Does the team have a game plan for Chicago and their playing style?

We do have our team meetings and we do look at the other team’s strengths, and we always try to prepare for that. I think each team respects the other team and the opponent that they’re going to face. But I think ideally it comes down to us and who we are and staying true to our own style of play, and just playing our game and having confidence in that.

What do you think it would mean for your team to make it into the finals, and then one step past that, win the whole Challenge Cup?

Right now we’re taking one game at a time, and we’re trying to appreciate every day we get to stay here and step on the field, and just showcase who Sky Blue is. I think Sky Blue hasn’t had the best reputation in the past, but we’re a new team and new players and a new organization, in a sense, and we really want to do the best we can to showcase who we are. It would mean a lot for us to get to the next level and make it further than we have in a long time.

Danny Colaprico is a midfielder for the Chicago Red Stars. She spoke to Just Women’s Sports ahead of the Red Stars semifinal clash with Sky Blue FC tonight about what the team needs to do to make it to the Challenge Cup finals. 

You guys upset OL Reign in the quarterfinals on penalties. How confident were you heading into PKs?

We were super confident. We worked on them the day before the game, and everyone nailed their PK. I feel like the players that stepped up, those are the ones that felt pretty confident about taking a penalty in the moment. And right before we went out our coach Rory just looked at us and was like, “Well, you guys, you have the best keeper in the world. All you have to do is put your shots away and we’ll win this.” And that gave us all more confidence, knowing that we have Alyssa in the goal. We all looked at each other and we’re like, “Oh yeah, we got this.”

Before going into PKs, there were a couple early shots on both sides. What were your thoughts about the energy and level of play throughout the match?

Going into the game, we knew that OL Reign would be a tough team to play. And I feel like as the game wore, everyone was getting really tired. It didn’t really sink in that we would go into penalty kicks until the very end of the game. Not once earlier during the game was I like, “Oh, this is definitely going to penalty kicks.” I felt pretty confident about where our team was at and I thought we were moving the ball really well. We created opportunities. It was just a matter of putting one in the back of the net. But then as the game wore on and it got into the 80th minute, I was, “Okay, this could probably go to PKs.” But again, I was still confident we would end up on top.

What’s nuts is that almost every other game went into penalty kicks as well.

Yeah, I know. We thought about that after. We were like, “Wow! Three of the quarter finals went into penalty kicks.” That can be exciting, but at the same time, each game was really unique.

You hinted at this, but do you think that fatigue has been and is going to continue to be a factor throughout the rest of the tournament? 

Yeah. With how this tournament is set up, I feel like fatigue has been a factor throughout. I mean, we had a short preparation. Sometimes there’s three games in a week. And we had a quick turnaround between the quarterfinal and now the semifinal. Fatigue is going to be a factor.

But with that being said, I feel like both sides are going to be fatigued. So the game will be determined on what team can last the longest on the field. And I feel like that’s kind of where the grittiness and the heart and the drive behind your team really comes into play in the games.

How has the team been preparing for Sky Blue FC?

It’s been a quick turnaround, so we don’t have that much time to prepare, but I feel like our main focus is going over some different ways we can put the ball back in the back of the net. I feel like we’ve harped on that a lot since we’ve been here. With such a short pre-season, we didn’t really get a chance to emphasize or put work into our frontline and our front players. So it’s been hard for us to find the back of the net, but we’ve been watching a lot of film, going over the different movements of each player, and I feel like we feel pretty confident that as soon as we score one goal, the goals are going to just keep coming.

Outside of putting the ball in the back of the net, what would you say is the team’s biggest focus mentally heading into the game? 

I’d say the biggest thing that we want to focus on as a team is moving the ball and playing pretty soccer. But at the same time, in this league, a lot of games are won just by battling and grinding out the game. It’s grittiness and fight and all those other intangible things. So a big emphasis on this game for us is combining those two and bringing them together, finding the right times to play soccer, but also at the same time, realizing that to win a game, you don’t always have to play pretty. I hate to say that, but sometimes it really is just grinding up games and finding ways to score. We have to bring that energy against Sky Blue.

Though goals were hard to come by, the NWSL Challenge Cup continued to produce inspiring soccer throughout the quarterfinals. Here are the top 5 plays from the first round of knockout play.

 

5. WATT DICES UP THE DEFENSE

The Chicago Red Stars’ Kealia Watt cuts up not one, not two, but three defenders in their own box. (Even our ankles are hurting after watching this play.) Watt did everything right, but couldn’t quite finish. Nevertheless, she later nailed her penalty kick, assisting her team in defeating OL Reign 4-3 in PKs after a scoreless draw. Expect Sky Blue to keep their eyes on the dynamic striker during their semifinal clash.

 

4. NAEHER PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS

Somebody should have told Reign they were facing a World Cup champ. Here, Chicago’s Alyssa Naeher effortlessly dives across the goalmouth, pushing away Jess Fishlock’s hard-hitting shot. Naeher then characteristically brushes off her remarkable save and immediately starts giving directions to her teammates for the corner. That’s championship mentality.

 

3. WEAVER SHOCKS THE FAVORITES WITH CLINICAL FINISH

Portland Thorns’ rookie Morgan Weaver is already playing like a vet. Here, she calmly collects Rocky Rodríguez’s diagonal ball and places it in the back of the net. With Weaver cashing in, the Thorn’s upset the number one seed North Carolina and are now on their way to a semifinal bout with Houston.

 

2. WANT GOALS? GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, SAYS SHERIDAN

Sky Blue FC’s Kailen Sheridan currently leads the tournament with 20 saves. Yup, 20. Sheridan played a substantial role in the quarterfinals, boosting Sky Blue to the semifinals as the team knocked off the Washington Spirit 4-3 in penalties. Here, Sheridan flexes her sixth sense as she deflects Ashley Sanchez’s header to keep the score sheet clean. That’s a game-winning, fingertip save.

 

1. ECKERSTROM PUTS AN END TO CAROLINA’S REIGN

This is just one of eight jaw-dropping saves Britt Eckerstrom made in her tournament debut. Announcer Mike Watts described the Portland Thorns’ keeper’s effort as “one of the great goalkeeping performances in league history,” and we agree. Here, Eckerstrom attacks Debinha’s shot, diving to push the ball safely to the side.

To take down a giant, you need heroic performances from unexpected players. Eckerstrom did just that, and her performance may have been the highlight of the tournament so far. She kept a clean slate, and in doing so, helped dethrone the reigning 2x NWSL champs while securing Portland its first win of the tournament and, more importantly, a spot in the semifinals.

A compressed preseason. Two weeks with games every four days. All knockout games going straight to penalties without extra time.

In retrospect, the defensive-minded quarterfinals shouldn’t have been much of a surprise.

Goalkeepers reigned supreme on Friday, much to the delight of #GKUnion. Britt Eckerstrom had what may be the performance of the Cup in her first start for the Portland Thorns. Houston Dash’s Jane Campbell erased doubts from earlier games. Sky Blue’s Kailen Sheridan was sturdy in the run of play and in penalties. And Alyssa Naeher reminded everyone she is the best — and that the Chicago Red Stars keeper has been here before.

Still, the almost-total lack of offense was surprising. Whether it was an Orlando curse extended to the rest of the league, or a product of the situation, few fans expected to see three goalless draws. Things should open up in the semis, as all four remaining teams are more than capable of playing exciting, inspired soccer.

After three big upsets in the quarterfinals, predictions may seem a bit silly. While I’m prepared to be surprised again, here are my best guesses as to what comes next.

PORTLAND THORNS VS. HOUSTON DASH, 12:30PM EST

After an emotional win over North Carolina, Portland has to do everything possible to ensure there is no subsequent trap game. Houston, on the other hand, like a wounded animal after an overly physical game, should come out on the offensive in an effort to set the tone.

I think the Dash can mentally reset. After becoming the early darling of the Cup with a high-scoring affair against Utah and a convincing 2-0 win over the Reign, Houston crashed back to Earth with two straight losses to Sky Blue and Washington. The team’s forwards began to look frustrated with their lack of opportunities, and goalkeeper Jane Campbell made several uncharacteristic mistakes.

But after topping Utah in penalties, Dash coach James Clarkson praised Campbell’s turnaround, reaffirming his belief in her ability moving forward.

“I think she’s the best goalkeeper in the league,” Clarkson said. “She’s had a couple of rough moments in the competition. But I said to her when she’s had those moments that she’s going to win us more things than lose us, and we’ve got complete faith in her.”

If Rachel Daly can take her made penalty and recapture the same confidence she displayed in the tournament opener — and the same confidence Campbell showed before, during and after the shootout — Portland’s defense once again will be on the back foot. While Britt Eckerstrom showed that she is more than capable of withstanding a barrage, it’s fair to say that she would prefer her defense make life a bit easier next time.

To Portland’s credit, they forced North Carolina into taking multiple shots from distance. Kelli Hubly and Meghan Klingenberg continue to anchor the backline while Lindsey Horan does seemingly everything, from the most shots on frame to the second most tackles won. Crucially, however, both Horna and Klingenberg are listed as questionable on the injury report for their clash with Houston.

Portland was able to take down the tournament favorites without Horan for much of the second half, vanquishing the foe they built their team to beat. The team now has its usual swagger, after looking lost at times during a winless group stage effort. The question still remains, who’s going to step up next?

Last game, playoff Morgan Weaver showed up in a big way. Can she do it again? Does Horan have another wonder goal in store? Can the team’s minutes leader and the world’s all-time international goal scorer Christine Sinclair create more magic? Or does Tyler Lussi, who has more attempts per 90 than any other player on the roster, find the back of the net?

It’s impossible to know ahead of time, but this unpredictability is precisely why I think Portland will ultimately come on top, riding the effort of another as-yet-unsuspected hero.

Prediction: Portland 2, Houston 1

SKY BLUE FC VS. CHICAGO RED STARS, 10:00PM EST

Both teams advanced on penalties. Both teams have scored just twice all tournament. Chicago probably outplayed its last opponent, while Sky Blue probably did not. Regardless, both sides will meet in the semi finals at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Sky Blue’s goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan has been under siege all Cup. She has faced 23 shots, but has conceded just three goals. American Soccer Analysis had her expected goals conceded at 6.59 for the tournament, which means she has performed a full 3.59 goals better than predicted. Both metrics are tops in the league. With this in mind, it is no surprise that Sheridan led Sky Blue to victory in penalties.

Since she was drafted by Sky Blue in 2017, Sheridan has seen the low points in the franchise’s history. Now, the team is on the rise with Sheridan serving as a defensive cornerstone.

For a while, Chicago has known it can rely on its defense. Last season, Chicago kept a clean sheet in eight regular season games, tied for fourth in the league while allowing the fifth most goals. In this tournament, Chicago has conceded three goals with three shutouts. Zoey Goralski’s 10 tackles are the fourth most among all players, while Sarah Gorden’s 11 interceptions rank second.

The biggest difference between last year’s team and this year’s is on the offensive end. Last year’s team could be counted on to reliably put the ball in the back of the net, while this year’s has struggled to find its rhythm.

It feels weird to say, but Sky Blue may have the more dynamic attack in this game, or at least be trending in that direction. Both teams have just two goals and nine shots on target, but Sky Blue is putting more of its shots on frame and are getting contributions from a more diverse group of players.

Kealia Watt’s 11 shots are tied for the most of any remaining player in the tournament, but she does not have a goal to show for it. Vanessa DiBernardo’s 18 crosses are third, but none have been an assist. Yuki Nagasato, Tierna Davidson and Morgan Gautrat will all miss the game with injuries. As always, Julie Ertz will fill in with a ridiculous looking heatmap. But for Chicago to return to a championship game, there will need to be a higher gear.

On Wednesday, I’m predicting the Red Stars offense will click, even if it’s only for a short burst.

Score: Chicago 1, Sky Blue 0 

 

LOOKING TO 2021

North Carolina is obviously an immensely talented team, and they leave the tournament as the only squad with a goal differential above 0 (+5) or an average of over 1 goal per game (1.4). Lynn Williams further cemented her reputation as a world class striker, and at the current rate, she may still win the Golden Ball with three goals. Debinha often looked like the most dangerous player in the Cup.

This is a team with both a bright past and a bright future. In retrospect, plenty of people will criticize Paul Riley not rotating his midfield, but this seems unfair. Many applauded Riley for playing his best XI against Sky Blue in what was a meaningless final game of the preliminary round, and for good reason. The franchise is programmed from top to bottom to never let up. The midfield was not the problem.

After the game, Riley compared this loss to the 2017 finals. If the comparison is apt, the rest of the league better watch out: after losing to Portland in the 2017 championship, North Carolina went on to win the next two. Expect the Courage to be on a similar mission with the next season rolls around.

Utah Royals

Not only fantastic hosts for the tournament, Utah was also one of the most fun teams to watch in the Challenge Cup. It started with Amy Rodriguez up top, and it will be sad to not get to see more of her this tournament. Another player who defied age, Vero Boquete, exits the tournament as the only player with two assists.

The adjustment to a 3-5-2 was always going to be a challenge, but now Utah can regroup with another year to practice as head coach Craig Harrington seems wedded to the formation. Over the last four games, Utah scored once and conceded twice, so the offense the formation is intended to generate never manifested, but neither did the defensive holes.

Utah also got contributions from all over its roster. Of the 22 players to appear in a game, 21 got the opportunity to start once. The only player not to start was Tziarra King, who appeared in four games and scored a goal. Of the 73 players in the Cup with at least two shots, 12 played for Utah, tied with OL Reign for the most of any club.

“I saw a lot of team growth and you could see it,” Rodriguez said. “We used a lot of players and we have a lot of talent on this team and in such a short span of time to try and get everything to click together I thought we did what we could.”

OL Reign

Although the Reign never put all of the pieces together offensively, there was a lot to like. While most first time coaches in the NWSL struggle for a whole year, Farsi Benstiti can now take an extended offseason to digest the lessons of his first five games at the helm.

Despite the coaching change, the Reign once again seemed to overperform. Last year, the side made the playoffs as the fourth seed with a 0 goal differential, and this year was the third seed in the knockout round despite sitting on a -1 goal differential.

Seeing Jessica Fishlock in the starting lineup for the first time since tearing her ACL in a game last July was one of the biggest positives of the tournament. Another was seeing Bethany Balcer, the reigning Rookie of the Year, coolly bury her penalty kick after previously discussing her panic attack in the prior game.

“Basing a game off of PKs is not ideal,” Sofia Huerta said after the game, and what was surely a common sentiment among the players of all three teams who kept a clean sheet yet still lost. “I don’t think it’s fair.”

Expect the club to enter 2021 with a renewed vigor as Megan Rapinoe rejoins the squad and Benstiti further acclimates.

Washington Spirit

The youngest team in the tournament will get another year to regroup. Without Andi Sullivan, and with both Rose Lavelle and Jordan DiBiasi nursing injuries, the midfield was listless against Sky Blue. Like North Carolina the day before, the Spirit grew impatient, and without their usual playmakers, the possession-based system broke down.

In the last few seasons, Washington has completely rebuilt its roster from the back line forward. All of the draft picks still with the team from the 2018 and 2019 drafts are either defenders or midfielders: Andi Sullivan, Bayley Feist, Dorian Bailey and Jordan DiBiasi in the midfield. Sam Staab and Tegan McGrady on the back line. (All were taken in the first round except Feist, who was a 2019 second round pick.)

Since then, Washington has looked for its long term solution at striker, whether it’s a replacement or a partner for Ashley Hatch. Washington used its first three picks of the 2020 on forwards before taking Kaiya McCulough, a defender who did not appear in the Challenge Cup. Those three were Ashley Sanchez, Averie Collins and Katie McClure, all of whom had their moments, but will need to grow in the offseason. If Washington can put together that last piece of the puzzle, and if Sullivan and her linemates can come back fully healthy, the Spirit should enter 2021 as serious contenders.