The NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off today, with the highly-anticipated month-long tournament commencing on Saturday with two interesting fixtures. North Carolina Courage take on Portland Thorns at 12:30 PM ET (live on CBS and CBS All Access in USA and Canada, and on Twitch internationally) for the opening game, making the National Women's Soccer League the first professional sport to return from the coronavirus-induced suspension.
Due to the withdrawal of Orlando Pride, the remaining eight top-flight clubs will participate in this competition, which will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah. While a number of top names in women's football – Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Marta, and Tobin Heath just to name a few – will play no part in this competition, several superstars will be present at the Challenge Cup and have made the trip to Utah.
And as is the case ahead of every tournaments, the new kits that will be worn by these talented females have come under inspection. Here's our ranking of the worst to best shirts that will be donned during the upcoming NWSL Challenge Cup.
North Carolina Courage' secondary shirt
Since Nike went for the "less is more" approach for NC Courage's away shirt, we too will opt for less when describing this uninspiring, plain white shirt. In fact, we will sum it up in just one word: boring!
The secondary kit is on the right, the primary is on the left
NC Courage's primary shirt
Better than the away shirt, but that was a low bar to beat. Not a look befitting of the defending NWSL champs.
Utah Royals' secondary shirt
Utah Royals' primary shirt, which features higher up our list, went for a similar look but pulled it off way better. Maybe the choice of color and Shutterstock-esque crown-shaped watermark was what let this version down?
Washington Spirit's primary shirt
The biggest compliment we can give this kit is that it's not an atrocity. The navy shirt with grey hoops is quite dull. The only exciting thing about it is that it will be worn by Rose Lavelle when we finally get to see her grace the pitch once again.
Learn more about the latest kit, including customization and the story behind ithttps://t.co/7hYWDPpNuU
— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) June 25, 2020
Houston Dash's secondary shirt
Now this is a case where less could have been more. The blue stripe with orange borders right across the torso area isn't all too pleasing to the eye.
A kit for Houston by Houston Dash.
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) June 1, 2020
Get yours now
Houston Dash's primary shirt
Not many teams can confidently say they wear an orange jersey. At least the Houston Dash player's will have no problems spotting each other.
OL Reign's secondary shirt
Neat!
OL Reign's primary shirt
While this is nowhere near being the best jersey, it serves NC Courage a good lesson on how to thread the fine of being minimalistic and being utterly boring by adding red accents to complement the near all-white look.
Sky Blue FC's primary shirt
This black shirt with blue lightning bolt-shaped lines is one of, if not the, most unique looks for the NWSL Challenge Cup. Props to Sky Blue FC and their kit designers.
Read about our new 2020 "Lightning Strikes" kit!
— Sky Blue FC (@SkyBlueFC) June 25, 2020
2020 Primary Kits Available at https://t.co/pnoTBmuLOM
Utah Royals' primary shirt
This navy-blue look pays homage to the Wasatch Mountains with gold outlines all the while being a spectacular, all-round jersey. Utah Royals will have the advantage of playing on home soil and sporting a solid look.
The mountains are calling pic.twitter.com/Blo6LiI6ku
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) June 17, 2020
Portland Thorns' primary shirt
This could have easily been the no.1 choice. The black-with-red-accent shirt is exquisitely complemented by gray roses that run down the front of the kit.
Chicago Red Stars' secondary shirt
This is just a beauty to look at! Who knew a white and blue jersey would be complemented so well by five red stars? Nike did, and we thank them for the Neighborhood kit.
