Everything We Know About the NWSL Fall Season

August 31, 2020
By Rohtas Wadera

After a successful NWSL Challenge Cup run, it appears the NWSL will be back with more soccer this fall. Lisa Baird and her staff deserve all the credit in the world for such a quick turnaround while looking to capitalize while the league is fresh in the minds of the fans. Here’s what we know so far about what you can expect with the upcoming NWSL Fall Series.

Based on what the league has released up until this point, the series will run from September 5th to mid-October with 18 matches to be played over the seven weeks. The NWSL did an amazing job creating the proper COVID protocols for the bubble in Utah they might have done it again. In order to limit travel, the nine teams will be split into three three-team pods. Here’s how it’s going to look.

West

OL Reign

Portland Thorns FC

Utah Royals FC

Northeast

Chicago Red Stars

Sky Blue FC

Washington Spirit

South

North Carolina Courage

Orlando Pride

Houston Dash

Now, the full format and schedule have yet to be released but with 18 total matches, it likely means the teams in each pod will play each other twice. After that anything could be decided for a champion or title since this is an unprecedented scenario. The top team from each pod could face each other in one final pod or the league could stick to keeping all the three pods separate.

What’s great about this format is more nationally televised games on CBS each Saturday. This makes it far more accessible to the masses as opposed to watching the majority of the matches online through CBS All-Access.

Overall it’s great to see the league make a constant effort to grow the game by increasing exposure like this. While stars like Megan Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara will sit out once again, it gives another chance to players like Jennifer Cudjoe to breakout and make a name for themselves. More NWSL action is right around the corner and it can’t get here soon enough.