The NWSL revealed additional information regarding the second annual Skills Challenge set for November 22nd, including the rules of the competition and the eight athletes participating.
Scheduled to start at 6 PM ET on the eve of the 2024 NWSL Championship match on November 23rd, two teams consisting of league stars will take part in three skill-based contests. The winning team will share a $30,000 prize from sponsor CarMax, an increase from last year’s $25,000.
Retired NWSL and USWNT legend Sam Mewis will serve as the host for the event.
Three events await Skills Challenge contenders
The 2024 edition of the Skills Challenge includes two returning events — Player Shootouts and the Crossbar Challenge — along with a new challenge called the Gauntlet, replacing last year’s 2-on-2 TeqBall competition.
The Gauntlet aims to showcase athletes’ agility and dribbling skills by placing a player within a circle surrounded by five mini-goals of various sizes. The smaller the goal, the more points it earns.
Competitors will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, exiting the circle to take a shot. Meanwhile, defenders from the opposing team will try to prevent scoring attempts without entering the circle.
Reminiscent of penalty kicks (PKs), the Shootout consists of nine rounds with one player against the opponent’s goalkeeper. Unlike regular PKs, goalkeepers can move freely and attackers have eight seconds to shoot from any spot on the pitch.
In the Crossbar Challenge, teams take turns trying to hit the crossbar from the 18-yard line, with each successful hit adding one point to the team total. Once a team reaches five points, the distance is doubled to 36 yards until a winner hits the crossbar.
Stars gear up to showcase their skills
Although complete rosters for the 2024 Skills Challenge will be revealed soon, the NWSL announced eight participants in Thursday’s update.
The sole returning athlete from 2023 is Houston forward Michelle Alozie, joining newcomers Angelina (Orlando), Kate Del Fava (Utah), Savannah DeMelo (Louisville), Jaelin Howell (Seattle), Savy King (Bay), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego), and Morgan Weaver (Portland).
If Orlando advances to the NWSL Championship on November 23rd, Angelina will be replaced during the competition.
How to watch the 2024 NWSL Skills Challenge
The event on Friday at the University of Kansas Health System Training Center is free and open to the public.
For those unable to attend, a full replay will be available on CBS nationwide on the afternoon of Sunday, November 24th.
