NWSL: Breaking down each team’s 2020 Challenge Cup outlook
By Drew Hubbard
North Carolina Courage
The defending champions are fortunate in their 2020 Challenge Cup draw, only playing one playoff team. The North Carolina Courage face the Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, Utah Royals and Houston Dash.
There isn’t any reason to think North Carolina can’t win the competition in 2020. They are one of the best teams in the league and their draw would favor any team in the league. Two of the top three league goalscorers from last year remain with the Courage. Lynn Williams ended with 12 goals and Kristen Hamilton had nine. Carolina’s roster is loaded and ready for another championship, and if the players choose to report, they’ll be one of the favorites to win the 2020 Challenge Cup.
Sky Blue FC
Only the Orlando Pride were worse than Sky Blue FC last year. Sky Blue will face the Pride here, which is some comfort. They also have to play the OL Reign, Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars. OL Reign and Chicago made the playoffs last year, while Orlando and Houston joined Sky Blue at the bottom of the table.
Although last year was a year to forget, Sky Blue acquired goal-scoring threats Midge Purce and Mallory Pugh in the offseason in addition to veteran midfielder McCall Zerboni. Purce finished with eight goals with Portland, tied for Carli Lloyd who she will now join up with. A championship may be too much to expect at this point, but their favorable draw and improved squad makes the knockout round more than possible.