14 July 2020

NWSL Challenge Cup quarter-finals: Who’s playing who? And when?

The quarter-finals of the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup have been confirmed after the final two matches of the preliminary rounds were played yesterday.

As there are eight teams in the tournament after Orlando Pride had to drop out due to players testing positive for coronavirus, all clubs have qualified.

The pairings were determined as first plays eighth, second v seventh, etc.

Here are the matches and when they will be played.

North Carolina Courage v Portland Thorns

Crystal Dunn will hope to score in the knock-out round (SIPA USA/PA Images)

Courage are unbeaten throughout the tournament so far winning all four of their preliminary matches and sit top of the table.

Whereas Thorns have not won a match all competition. 

The two sides have already played each other in their opening match which ended 2-1 to Courage.

They will face off again on July 17 with kick off at 10.30am MDT / 5.30pm BST. 

Houston Dash v Utah Royals FC

Dash and Royals will clash (SIPA USA/PA Images)

Dash have only posted one win as they beat OL Reign 2-0. They lost two other matches and drew one to finish fourth in the table.

While Royals finished fifth as they have the exact same result record with one win over Sky Blue FC.

Their earlier clash produced the most goals in a game in the tournament so far as it ended 3-3.

Their quarter-final will take place on July 17 at 8pm MDT / 3am BST.

Washington Spirit v Sky Blue FC

Spirit will play Sky Blue (Zuma Press/PA Images)

Spirit have won two matches, lost one and drawn one to claim second in the table. They will be heading into their clash with Blue on the back of a win after they beat OL Reign 1-0 yesterday.

Blue, however, will be coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Courage which sealed their seventh place finish. They posted one win, two losses and a draw.

The two sides have not played each other in this tournament yet.

Their knock-out round will be on July 18 at 10.30 am MDT / 5.30pm BST.

OL Reign v Chicago Red Stars

Jess Fishlock will be available for the quarter-final for Reign (Zuma Press/PA Images)

Reign won one match, lost one and drew two to finish third.

Good news for the team came in their 0-0 draw against Thorns yesterday as Jess Fishlock returned to the field after months on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.

While Red Stars bagged their first win of the tournament on Sunday against Royals as they claimed a 1-0 victory to climb into sixth position. They also lost two matches and drew one.

The two teams have not come across each other in the competition yet.

Their quarter-final will take place on July 18 at 8pm MDT / 3am BST

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