The NWSL Challenge Cup will be opening with a headliner.
Just the fact that the league is returning in some facet in itself is a triumph, but among the highlights of the preliminary round schedule, which was drawn on Monday, is the North Carolina Courage vs. the Portland Thorns on the opening day of the tournament.
That will help kick off an 18-game preliminary stage, after which eight of the nine teams will advance to a single-elimination knockout bracket to crown the champion after a month in Utah.
Hosted by Utah Royals FC at Rio Tinto Stadium and Zions Bank Stadium, NWSL is looking to become the first major pro sports league back in action in the United States after the coronavirus pandemic-induced shutdown.