Below is a selection of moments to watch for and notes to know entering the Group Stages of the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup Tournament. Summer Cup Group Stage match coverage begins Friday, July 26 as Racing Louisville FC host the North Carolina Courage at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+.
NOTES TO KNOW
TUNE IN
Viewers tuning in to the Summer Cup tournament this season can catch all 33 matches on CBS Sports as the exclusive English-language distributor, with every match set to stream live on Paramount+, 11 matches simulcasting on CBS Sports Golazo Network and 12 matches simulcasting on CBS Sports Network.
For the Spanish-language broadcast in the U.S., TUDN will air three group stage matches while the remaining contests will be available for free on NWSL+, the league’s first-ever domestic direct-to-consumer streaming platform.
All 33 Spanish-language matches will be airing on ESPN on Disney+ in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, while both English and Spanish-language coverage in the remaining international territories will be available on NWSL+.
Full details on how to watch all Summer Cup matches can be found here.
ABOUT SUMMER CUP
NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup will feature five groups of four teams consisting of both NWSL and LIGA MX Femenil clubs, with each club competing in three matches. Of the five group winners, the four clubs with the most points will advance to the semifinals on August 6 at CPKC Stadium.
Rules and regulations for the 2024 NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup can be found here.
GROUP STAGE (7/19 - 7/21) REVIEW
COOPER QUICKER
Kansas City Current midfielder Michelle Cooper, already holding the record at 22 seconds, notched the second-fastest goal in Current history in all competitions scoring in 59 seconds. Houston Dash leveled the scoreline in the 20th minute when midfielder Yuki Nagasato scored from distance, her first goal for the Dash in all competitions.
The Current put away two more goals in the second half to secure the victory with midfielder Lo LaBonta and forward Kristen Hamilton each scoring in the 3-1 victory. Hamilton also notched an assist earlier in the game making it the first time she has recorded a goal and an assist in her first action since March 23. Kansas City has never lost when LaBonta scores.
MAKING WAVES AGAINST THE BAY
In a 3-1 loss to the San Diego Wave at Torero Stadium, Bay FC rolled out a starting 11 that featured five rookies, tying the Utah Royals for the record of most first years to start a match. Wave defender Kennedy Wesley tallied her first professional goal at the same stadium where she notched her first college goal last year. Forward Maria Sanchez ended her scoring drought in all competitions recording a goal in the 53rd minute to put the Wave up 2-0, before Bay FC defender Maddie Moreau pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute. San Diego forward Amirah Ali secured the victory in the 80th minute, her first goal this season in all competitions
THORNS DOMINANCE
The Portland Thorns dominated the club’s first Summer Cup match, defeating Tijuana, 5-0, with forward Christine Sinclair becoming the first player ever to score in the regular season, playoffs, Challenge Cup, Fall Series and Summer Cup. Midfielder Olivia Wade-Katoa recorded her first professional goal while forward Izzy D’Aquila notched her second straight goal. Forward Ana Dias and midfielder Marisa Sheva each recorded their first goal for the Thorns. Veteran defender Meghan Klingenberg tallied two assists during the win.
GROUP STAGE (7/26 - 7/28) PREVIEW
ANGELS GOING NORTH
Bay FC host Angel City FC for the second time this season in the third match between the two expansion clubs in all competitions with Bay FC winning both previous games 1-0. Bay FC looks for their third straight win over Angel City while the 2022 expansion side looks to earn another three points.
WAVING HELLO TO CLUB AMERICA
San Diego Wave FC host Club America on Friday marking the club’s first match against an inter-league opponent. The Wave are coming off a 3-1 victory over Bay FC while Club America looks to walk away with the three points after falling 2-1 to Angel City FC.
HOUSTON, WE’RE HOSTING THE TIGRES
The Houston Dash host Tigres for the third match all-time between the two clubs. Houston lost 2-1 in a 2019 October friendly and defeated the LIGA MX club 5-1 during an October 2021 friendly. Houston looks to bounce back and earn three points against Tigres while the Las Amazonas hope to stay atop the Group C standings.
REMATCH IN PHILLY
The Washington Spirit takes on NJ/NY Gotham FC at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Sunday for the third match between the two clubs in all competitions this season. The previous two games saw the Spirit get all three points while recording the shutout in both matches.
GROUP STAGE SUMMER CUP MATCH SCHEDULE
Friday, July 26
Racing Louisville FC vs. North Carolina Courage | Lynn Family Stadium | 8 p.m. ET | Paramount+ / Golazo
Chicago Red Stars vs. C.D. Guadalajara | SeatGeek Stadium| 8 p.m. ET | Paramount+
San Diego Wave FC vs. Club América | Snapdragon Stadium | 10 p.m. ET | Paramount+ / Golazo
Bay FC vs. Angel City FC | PayPal Park | 10:30 p.m. ET | CBSSN
Saturday, July 27
Orlando Pride vs. C.F. Monterrey | Inter&Co Stadium| 7 p.m. ET | Paramount+
Kansas City Current vs. C.F. Pachuca | CPKC Stadium | 8 p.m. ET | Paramount+
Utah Royals vs. Portland Thorns FC | America First Field | 10 p.m. ET | CBSSN
Sunday, July 28
Seattle Reign vs. Club Tijuana | Lumen Field | 6 p.m. ET | Paramount+
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit | Subaru Park | 6 p.m. ET | Paramount+ / Golazo
Houston Dash vs. Tigres UANL | Shell Energy Stadium | 8 p.m. ET | Paramount+ / Golazo