Report: NWSL Holding Summer Tournament In Utah
May 19, 2020, 4:54 PM
Utah Royals FC forward Katie Stengel (24) takes a shot on goal during the match against the Chicago Red Stars at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
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HERRIMAN, Utah – The National Women’s Soccer League plans to hold a tournament in Utah this summer, according to a report by Steven Goff of The Washington Post.
All nine NWSL teams, including Utah Royals FC, are expected to participate in the tournament which is being scheduled for “late June-late July at Rio Tinto Stadium,” the home of MLS club Real Salt Lake, “and/or RSL academy,” Goff reported on Tuesday, May 19.
The tourney will reportedly be limited to “few if any fans allowed” and will broadcast on “live streams/TV.”
Two sources tell me NWSL is considering tournament format for one month this summer in controlled environment in greater Salt Lake City for all 9 teams. Unclear whether every owner is on board. Sponsors would help defray expenses. Few if any fans allowed. Live streams/TV.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 16, 2020
According to Goff, the NWSL has “asked teams to submit travel rosters/essential personnel” for the event.
Preparation for the tourney will reportedly “begin as early as this week” with virus testing for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
When the world is ready, we will be too. pic.twitter.com/qf5qAywFwQ
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) April 24, 2020
NWSL Tournament Format
Goff said that the NWSL tournament will be organized with the nine league teams being separated into three groups of three teams each. The tourney will be played with “single knockout matches” according to the Washington Post.
Eight of the nine NWSL teams will advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Goff said the “reporting date” for the tournament will be late June.
Three teams (presumably Sky Blue, Chicago and OL Reign) will arrive in Utah much earlier because of training restrictions in home markets. The reporting date for everyone else is late June.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) May 19, 2020
However, a few teams including Sky Blue FC, the Chicago Red Stars, and the OL Reign will all arrive in Salt Lake City prior to late June due to “training restrictions in their home markets,” according to Goff.
