NWSL Season is Over?

PLANTING SPINACH, CA, -- If you didn't know (and you probably didn't), the NWSL Challenge Cup Final was today.  Apparently, the NWSL website knows but didn't know the match was already over an hour ago as its headline still is "Houston Dash, Chicago Red Stars Square off in NWSL Challenge Cup Championship".  It header has scores but starts from June 27 (unlike the MLS which shows the day's matches first).  Because all 8 teams (Orlando Pride had to withdraw due to positive COVID-19 tests) automatically qualified for the Quartefinals after Group Play (it was used to seed the teams 1-8), the Final saw #4 Houston Dash play #6 Chicago Red Stars.  HOU got an early PK and a stoppage time goal to win 2-0.  As the first pro team to league to finish, there is still no word if the Challenge Cup ends the 2020 season or not.  The bubble in Salt Lake City (or Sandy, UT where Rio Tinto Stadium is located) was successful and players will be excited to see their families again but, what then?

Since I've been on the topic of nicknames lately (ugh, Charlotte FC and Washington FT), I forgot to mention one of the cool ones as NWSL's expansion Louisville team announced on July 8 they would be Louisville FC (actually, the owner is USL Championship's Lou team, which is already named Louisville City FC -- so the women have one up on the men already)!  Just kidding, it's Racing Louisville FC with great crest and awesome purple hues (lavender and midnight violet) and a nod to the horse racing culture being the city hosts Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.  I want a jersey!