The 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup may have produced it’s fair share of goals, but for many, it was the outstanding play of the league’s coalition of goalkeepers that defined the bubble tournament. From national team regulars to third-string superstars, the keepers of the Cup made goals an absolute premium, so much so that the quarterfinals alone witnessed not one but three clean sheets.

Below, we celebrate the top 10 saves of the Cup.

 

10. SHERIDAN IS A WALL OF STEEL

Another big night from @bellageist in net. ????

Her full reach stop on ???? earns tonight's @Verizon Save of the Match!#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/BwFozDFZUE

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 6, 2020

OL Reign’s Jasmyne Spencer chases down her teammate’s flick and carries the ball straight to goal, drilling the ball from point-blank range. But the Canadian Kailen Sheridan makes an effortless save, pushing the ball to the side and preserving Sky Blue’s scoreless draw with OL Reign.

 

9. BARNES FLEXES HER FLAWLESS TIMING

Keeping the defense ???? through the full 9️⃣0️⃣.@OLReign's Lauren Barnes earns tonight's @budweiserusa Woman of the Match ????#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/Vyiu7gmfvy

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 1, 2020

It doesn’t matter how much time is remaining, you know Lauren Barnes will be putting in work. Late in the first half, Kawasumi of Sky Blue receives a cross inside the box and takes a touch, knocking the ball down. She blasts a line-drive shot from just a few yards out, but OL’s Barnes slides just in time to block the attempt. Barnes’ late tackle assisted OL Reign in maintaining a clean slate in a scoreless draw against Sky Blue. We’d say that shot probably bruised Barnes’ leg, but in reality it probably only bruised Sky Blue’s ego.

 

8. ROWLAND PUTS THE STOP SIGN OUT

We've got a potential @Verizon Save of the Match.@rowland_katelyn with a MASSIVE stop to keep the game tied ????

0-0 | #NCvCHI

Tune in now on @CBSAllAccess and @Twitch.#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/xidOHNHNPK

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 5, 2020

The Chicago Red Stars’ Kealia Watt steals the ball from North Carolina’s center back and drives to goal on a counter-attack. Katelyn Rowland of North Carolina makes herself big, standing strong at the six-yard box to block Watt’s shot with just one hand. Rowland’s mind-boggling save assisted in North Carolina’s 1-0 victory over Chicago in the first round of the tournament.

 

7. BLEDSOE PUTS IN THE FULL 90

????‍♀️ @AubreyBledsoe denies Horan!

1-1 | #PORvWAS

Tune in now on @CBSAllAccess and @Twitch.#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/cnbA3BTg3n

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 6, 2020

Late in the game, Lindsey Horan of the Portland Thorns collects a floated ball from out of the air, placing it on the ground before crushing it from just outside the 18. But Washington Spirit’s goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe denies Horan’s could-have-been goal, making a diving save to push the ball out of danger. Bledsoe then casually hops up, as if to say, just another day at the office.

 

6. ECKERSTROM COMES OUT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS

Britt EckerSTRONG! pic.twitter.com/F8SuNbF9DH

— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) July 17, 2020

North Carolina’s Williams slips Deinha a pass at the top of the box. Debinha twirls to face the goal and cracks a shot with wicked spin. Britt Eckerstrom remarkably reads Debinha’s shot and sends the ball out of play. Eckerstrom’s impeccable performance against Carolina in the quarterfinals allowed Portland to upset the reigning league champs, and rightfully solidified her spot on the Challenge Cup’s Best XI.

 

5. SHERIDAN OUT HERE BREAKING FORWARDS’ HEARTS

???? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ????@Kailen_Sheridan's save on a header attempt is the @Verizon Save of the Match.#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/REzXh0klU4

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2020

Golden glove winner Kailen Sheridan just would not let anything into her net. Washington’s Tori Huster hits a dangerous ball into the box from the right flank, finding her teammate Ashley Sanchez back post. Sanchez heads the ball into the corner, but Sky Blue’s keeper Sheridan is there to deflect the ball out to a defender in the area. Sheridan’s phenomenal save helped her team push past Washington Spirit in the quarterfinals in a 0-0 tie that eventually led to penalties.

 

4. CAMPBELL THRIVES UNDER PRESSURE

It's @jane_campbell1 ????????????????ℕ.@HoustonDash are ???? to the semifinals!#HOUvUTA | #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/HGnqrSfZ2P

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 18, 2020

Campbell blocked 3 out of 5 penalties in the quarterfinals… that’s just unheard of. Here, Campbell read Vero Boquete like a book, diving to deflect the penalty off of her gloves. Her save secured Houston a slot into the semifinals after a scoreless tie in regulation. Can anyone say, national team call-up?

 

3. THAT’S NAEHER’S NET

Whether it's in France or Utah, you can count on @AlyssaNaeher in big games.

The @USWNT and @chiredstarsPR 'keeper is the @budweiserusa Woman of the Match! ????#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/Rg3FG7tuSN

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 19, 2020

Jess Fishlock maneuvers her way past Chicago’s defense and takes a low-driven shot back post. World Cup champ Alyssa Naeher denies Fishlock, pushing the ball wide from the frame to keep a scoreless draw in the quarterfinals clash. Naeher later played a key role in penalties, boosting Chicago to the semis. It’s almost like she’s used to playing on the big stage.

 

2. BIXBY SAYS, NAH, NOT TODAY

Another big night from @bellageist in net. ????

Her full reach stop on ???? earns tonight's @Verizon Save of the Match!#NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/BwFozDFZUE

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 6, 2020

Ashley Sanchez of Washington Spirit plays an outside foot bender to teammate Ashley Hatch, who immediately takes a shot toward the upper V of the front post. But Portland Thorns’ goalkeeper Bella Bixby makes a backward diving effort to tip the ball safely out of play, effortlessly protecting a 1-1 draw in Portland’s third game of the preliminary rounds.

 

1. ECKERSTROM SHINES IN HER UNEXPECTED SPOTLIGHT

Absolutely majestic ???? @Breck28's top-shelf save on a free kick was voted as the @Verizon Save of the Tournament. #NWSLChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/jm699i5RHt

— National Women's Soccer League (@NWSL) July 26, 2020

Carolina’s Debinha rips a free-kick from just outside the box, causing Eckerstrom to reach full extension in order to punch the ball over the crossbar. Eckerstrom’s exceptional save and match performance lifted Portland to a 1-0 win over Carolina, giving the Thorns a slot in the semifinals of the tournament.

Eckerstrom played in a total of two full games, but made the NWSL tournament Best XI team thanks to this save of the tournament and many more like it. Two games turned out to be all she needed to leave her mark on the Cup.

The 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinals are officially set, with UEFA drawing the remaining eight teams into the field early Friday morning.

The annual season-long competition pits Europe's top leagues against each other. This season, 72 clubs across 50 different leagues qualified for the contest. From the UK to Ukraine, all teams have been vying for the continent's top-dog status amidst a cutthroat atmosphere and a growing sense of parity in the sport.

Two qualifying rounds narrowed the initial teams down to the 16 contending in the tournament's official group stage. Each played six group-stage matches from October through December to determine the eight clubs that advanced to Friday's final draw.

The road to Champions League glory in Lisbon

All remaining clubs are now eyeing the May 24th final in Lisbon, Portugal, and Friday's draw mapped each team's path to that championship match. The 2024/25 quarterfinals will feature four former champions and four seeking a first-ever trophy, with both familiar fights and rarely tested toss-ups on deck.

Both the March quarterfinals and April semifinals employ a two-leg format, offering teams who suffer narrow first losses a shot at second-match redemption.

Friday's draw determined that WSL contenders Arsenal will kick off the tournament's quarterfinals against Real Madrid on March 18th, with Germany's Bayern Munich taking on France's 2024 UWCL runners-up Olympique Lyonnais shortly afterwards.

The following day, Bayern's Frauen-Bundesliga foes Wolfsburg will face Spain's 2024 UWCL champs FC Barcelona. Closing out the initial tilts is a WSL standoff between Manchester City and the UK league's undefeated titans Chelsea FC.

Increased global parity to test UWCL dynasties

With eight of the tournament's 23 titles under their belts, Lyon is the winningest team in UWCL history. Meanwhile, current back-to-back champions Barcelona claimed three of the last four trophies.

Despite the recent two-team domination, capturing this season's title will be a challenge. Hoping to spoil Lyon's and Barcelona's dynastic runs is four first-time title-hunters, plus two-time winners Wolfsburg and early champion Arsenal — who won the trophy in 2007, when the tournament was called the UEFA Women's Cup.

All in all, the European crown has never been tougher to claim, with leagues across the continent increasingly stocking up on standout — and potentially game-changing — players from beyond their borders.

Portland is going all in on women's sports, with RAJ Sports — the ownership group behind both the NWSL's Thorns and Portland's incoming WNBA team — announcing the development of a new $150 million sports performance complex on Thursday.

The 12-acre dual-sport performance center will be the first-ever facility housing both a pro women's soccer squad and a pro women's basketball team.

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Innovation and amenities lead Portland design

At 63,000 square feet, the incoming NWSL x WNBA training facility will feature two basketball courts, two soccer pitches, a 17,000-square-foot practice gym, a state-of-the-art strength training facility, and a laundry list of additional top-of-the-line amenities.

According to the Thorns' announcement, the center aims to "[elevate] the standard of athletic development by integrating cutting-edge training, advanced recovery, and holistic wellness with lifestyle elements specific to the needs of female athletes in a collaborative multi-team setting."

The wellness additions include recovery lounges and pools, hyperbaric therapy, red-light therapy, and a yoga and pilates room, plus access to a full-time chef and nutritionist via the center's kitchen and dining hall.

"This kind of high-performance training facility allows us to elevate every part of our game, becoming better and more well-rounded athletes," said Thorns forward Sophia Wilson (née Smith).

"Having a space designed specifically for female athletes gives us yet another leg up on the competition and will be vital to our future successes."

Portland joins other WNBA and NWSL teams building own facilities

Portland is just the latest in a wave of women's teams across top-tier US leagues breaking ground on dedicated performance facilities.

Earlier this week, WNBA newcomer Golden State unveiled their own custom-built Valkyries Performance Center. Last month, NWSL side Angel City cut the ribbon on their dedicated training facility.

RAJ Sports’ effort to continue the investment trend comes barely a year after their January 2024 purchase of the Thorns. That move was finalized a little over eight months before the WNBA accepted their expansion bid, making the Bhathal family — who also have a stake in the NBA's Sacramento Kings — the first-ever ownership group to oversee pro women's teams in two different sports.

WNBA roster shakeups kept rolling this week, with a deluge of moves radically reshaping the 2022 and 2023 league champion Las Vegas Aces.

After three seasons in Las Vegas, backup guard and popular locker room presence Sydney Colson signed a one-year deal with Indiana on Thursday. The Fever, who've been aggressive about inking athletes they believe will bring a title back to Indianapolis, targeted Colson for her veteran experience.

"[Colson] brings a championship pedigree to the Fever, adding depth to our point guard position, said Fever COO and GM Amber Cox in the team's announcement. "We have the utmost confidence in her ability to step into any situation and deliver on both ends of the floor."

Joining Colson in leaving Las Vegas is forward Alysha Clark. A key factor in the Aces' 2023 title run — which ultimately earned her the WNBA's Sixth Woman of the Year award — Clark is returning to the Seattle Storm, where she played from 2012 to 2020.

The Aces are also losing their 2024 Sixth Woman of the Year, Tiffany Hayes. Despite the Aces protecting her in December's expansion draft, the free agent guard will take her talents to incoming franchise Golden State. There, she'll link up with former Las Vegas assistant coach-turned-Valkyries boss Natalie Nakase.

"Having coached Tiffany last season in Las Vegas, I know firsthand the impact she brings both on and off the court," Nakase noted. "Her versatility, intensity, and ability to score will be invaluable as we build our team's identity."

Las Vegas Aces take aim at refreshed dynasty

After falling short of a three-peat championship last season — despite three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson's outstanding 2024 performance — a significant Aces roster reshuffling was all but guaranteed ahead of the 2025 season.

Las Vegas kicked things off by shipping All-Star guard Kelsey Plum off to the LA Sparks last month. The blockbuster three-team trade sent Seattle's two-time champ Jewell Loyd to the Aces in return.

To shore up their front-court, Las Vegas inked 6-foot-4 power forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus on Thursday. The 2023 All-Star averaged 15 points and 6.7 rebounds for Atlanta that season, and was on her way to matching that production last year when an ankle injury curbed her 2024 run.

Ultimately, Las Vegas's roller coaster offseason reflects both the WNBA's shifting landscape and the Aces' quest to revive their former dynasty, hoping a fresh start can fuel them all the way to another league title in 2025.

No. 19 Tennessee notched the first major win of their Kim Caldwell era on Thursday night, stifling No. 5 UConn 80-76 to capture their first Top 10 basketball victory of the season — and first win over the Huskies since 2007.

Bolstered by a 13-0 run in the third quarter, Tennessee out-rebounded UConn 46-34 to hold the Huskies at bay.

On defense, the Vols managed to limit UConn star and projected 2025 WNBA Draft No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers to just 5-of-16 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.

"We had poise down the stretch. I think we played with confidence. I think we played to win, as opposed to afraid to lose," commented first-year Tennessee head coach Caldwell after the game.

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Tennessee flips the historic rivalry script against UConn

Once one of the most heated historic rivalries in NCAA basketball, Tennessee and UConn met 22 times from 1995 to 2007. The Huskies took 13 victories over that stretch.

Since the teams rebooted their non-conference series in 2020, UConn has taken the win in all four meetings — until Tennessee halted the Huskies on Thursday.

A big upset win from the Vols has felt increasingly inevitable this season, as Tennessee has come wildly close to claiming multiple top-tier upsets. They fell to No. 4 Texas by just four points, No. 6 LSU by two points, and logged one-point losses against both No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 24 Vanderbilt.

Last week, the Vols lost to No. 2 South Carolina 70-63. Subsequently, Tennessee became just the second team to limit the reigning NCAA champs to a single-digit win this season.

Despite Tennessee’s recent rise, Thursday's result was a blow to UConn. The Huskies are now 21-3 in 2024/25 play, with all three losses coming against Top 10 teams. UConn likely has just one regular-season Top 10 matchup left by way of a February 16th clash with South Carolina.

"The bottom line is we have some players on our team that are supposed to be our best players and they've got to play better. That's all there is to it," said UConn head coach Geno Auriemma in response.

How to watch top-ranked NCAA basketball this weekend

As tough as the SEC has been, there's little rest for the weary, with No. 19 Tennessee gearing up for a rematch with No. 6 LSU at 4 PM ET on Sunday. Live coverage will air on ESPN.

In Top 10 weekend action, No. 8 Ohio State will cap their West Coast trip against No. 7 USC at 9 PM ET on Saturday, live on Fox Sports.

Then on Sunday, No. 4 Texas will host No. 2 South Carolina at 2 PM ET, with ESPN broadcasting live.