NWSL: What impact does Orlando Pride withdrawal have?
The Orlando Pride have withdrawn from the NWSL’s Challenge Cup due to several players contacting the coronavirus. What impact will this have, both on Orlando and on the league and competition?
The Orlando Pride will not take part in the National Women Soccer League’s Challenge Cup this summer. The tournament, which is based in Utah and will be the first professional soccer played in America following the season’s suspension due to the coronavirus, was scheduled to start this weekend. The Pride will not be there.
In a statement, Orlando Pride EVP Amanda Duffy revealed that the decision was made to ‘protect the health of all involved in the Challenge Cup.’ She said:
"“This was obviously a difficult and disappointing outcome for our players, our staff and fans, however this is a decision that was made in order to protect the health of all involved in the Challenge Cup. While we were all excited to see the 2020 Pride on the field this weekend, our priority is now making sure our players and staff safely recover and providing any support wherever and however possible.”"
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So how will the Pride’s absence impact the NWSL’s plans?
Well, according to the league, contingency plans have already been put in place and the Challenge Cup will continue with an amended schedule that contains eight teams instead of nine. A statement from NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird read:
"“We’re all obviously disappointed, but in the current environment, this is a situation that we have prepared for and we will now adjust our plans and schedules to reflect the circumstances.”"
In terms of the Challenge Cup itself, the biggest issue is the formation of the eight knockout teams. Prior to Orlando’s withdrawal, the nine teams would play four matches each. Based on the standings from these four matches, the top eight would enter a straight knockout stage. Now, however, with all eight teams guaranteed to qualify, what is the point of these four games other than to secure a better seeding in the knockout stages?
The league will have to come up with some contingency to make the matches matter. It is not yet known whether there will be a regular season following on from the competition like in Major League Soccer, but that seems unlikely. As such, where MLS will tie its group-stage matches into the regular-season standings, the NWSL cannot do the same.
There is also the sporting integrity of the competition. How valid is the competition if one of the teams is not set to take part?
And then what about Orlando themselves? Per a report from the Athletic, some players went to a bar and contacted the virus there. They, of course, are stupid for doing so in the current climate, but their teammates will be extremely disappointed at not getting to compete because of the actions of a few. How will this impact the Pride squad, this season and beyond?
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The Orlando Pride will not play at the NWSL’s Challenge Cup. The impacts will be long-lasting, and most of them will be very sad indeed.