The Challenge Cup is over. What’s next for the NC Courage and NWSL?

The National Women’s Soccer League was the first to return to play amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now it’s the first to have completed its tournament without any positive COVID-19 tests within its “bubble.”

The NWSL Challenge Cup came to a close Sunday, a month after it started, with the Houston Dash beating the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 for the tournament title, the team’s first. Goals came in the 5th minute by Sophie Schmidt on a penalty kick and in the 91st minute from Shea Groom on an assist from Rachel Daly.

The Orlando Pride had to withdraw from the tournament due to an outbreak of positive coronavirus tests among players and staff prior to the tournament’s start. Once the league’s other eight teams arrived in the bubble, located in Utah, there were no positive tests.

“We think the tournament has gone extraordinarily well,” NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird told reporters. “Really pleased about our number one principal, which is to keep everyone here healthy and well. ... We’re really pleased with our medical protocols and the way we’ve engaged with that.”

So what’s next for the NWSL?

“If we can get players safely back on the pitch post-tournament, we will be doing so,” Baird said.

However, she followed by noting that no decision has been made yet on the format for any future competition this year, and that medical protocols will guide that process. The league will work with state health and safety restrictions for each of its teams.

North Carolina is still in Phase 2 of its reopening plan as it faces increasing case counts and hospitalizations. The state entered Phase 2 on May 22 and an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper extended it to Aug. 7.

The NC Courage began individual training on May 11 in accordance with league guidelines. On May 25, teams were allowed to start small group training, and on May 30, full team training could resume. The shifts each marked a phase of the NWSL’s five-part return-to-play plan, with Phase 4 being the Challenge Cup and Phase 5 yet to be written.

Courage coach Paul Riley posted to social media a picture of a whiteboard in the team’s facilities that he’d filled with thanks and congratulations to those who helped make the Challenge Cup a success. At the bottom, he also included what he’d like to see next for the league, including an NWSL All Star Game and 2020 mini season.

While no timeline for future competition is set, Baird said training protocols for the teams will be updated fairly quickly.

Four Courage players make tournament’s Best XI

The Challenge Cup’s Best XI featured players from five of the league’s eight participating teams, with North Carolina having the most players selected. Voting is divided between fans, media, coaches and players, with the players’ votes counted most heavily.

On the back line, defenders Abby Erceg and Jaelene Daniels both made the list. Both appeared in all five of the Courage’s games, playing 450 and 441 minutes, respectively. Erceg had 17 clearances, 11 interceptions and four blocks, and scored the only goal in North Carolina’s preliminary round match against Chicago. Daniels offered the assist to Erceg’s goal, and averaged 42.7 passes per 90 minutes.

Debinha made the team’s group of midfielders and forwards as one of only three players to both score a goal and assist one during the tournament. She scored the first goal of the tournament in the 85th minute of the Courage’s first game against the Portland Thorns, and her assist on Lynn Williams’ second goal against the Washington Spirit sealed North Carolina’s win. Her 14 shots led the Courage in the tournament.

Williams also made the Best XI. She tied with Daly and Groom for most goals in the tournament, netting two against Washington and one against Portland. She also assisted Crystal Dunn’s goal against Sky Blue FC. Williams led the league with 23 shots.

Also making the team: Britt Eckerstrom (Portland, goalkeeper), Julie Ertz (Chicago, defender), Casey Short (Chicago, defender), Lindsey Horan (Portland, midfielder/forward), Rachel Daly (Houston, midfielder/forward), Shea Groom (Houston, midfielder/forward) and Rose Lavelle (Washington, midfielder/forward).

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 2:52 PM.