Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars to Face Off in Challenge Cup Final
The GIST: The NWSL season has just one game left — the Challenge Cup final! — but dang, we miss it already. After an exciting month of amazing soccer, it all comes down to the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars.
How’d they get here?: The Dash earned a hard fought 1–0 win against Portland Thorns FC in the first of yesterday’s two semifinals. Rachel Daly scored her third goal of the tournament to give the Dash the W and move herself into a tie for most goals scored. One more in the final could win her the Golden Boot.
- In the second semi, the Red Stars came out v. strong, scoring three straight goals. Still, Sky Blue FC tried to claw their way back and ended up making it a 3–2 game. A for effort.
Who’s going to win the Cup?: This Cup has been nothing if not unpredictable, so we’re hesitant to pick a winner. Also, confession time: we have a soft spot for both teams. Despite having a strong roster, the Dash have never finished better than fifth place in a season and have never even made the playoffs before. Who doesn’t love an underdog?
- The Red Stars, on the other hand, have been here before. They almost tasted victory last season, when they found themselves in the final against the North Carolina Courage. The Courage ended up with the win then, so we’d love to see the Red Stars finally get their championship.
Any other NWSL news?: Oh heck yeah! A new Los-Angeles expansion team was announced on Tuesday: Angel City will officially join the NWSL in 2022. And get this: the megastar ownership group includes former U.S. women’s national team stars Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach and celebs such as Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Uzo Aduba and founder Natalie Portman.
- Power couple Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are part of the group too, and even their two-year-old daughter, Olympia, is listed as an investor. For more on this awesome addition to the NWSL, take a listen to this week’s episode of our podcast, The GIST of It.
