The NWSL announced additional details regarding the second annual Skills Challenge set for November 22nd on Thursday. This includes competition rules and the participation of eight athletes.
Starting at 6 PM ET on the evening before the 2024 NWSL Championship match on November 23rd, two teams of league stars will compete in three skills 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 host the event.
Three events await Skills Challenge contenders
The 2024 Skills Challenge will bring back two events – Player Shootouts and the Crossbar Challenge – while introducing a new competition called the Gauntlet, replacing last year’s 2-on-2 TeqBall.
The Gauntlet aims to showcase players’ agility and dribbling skills as they aim to score points by shooting at various sized mini-goals within a 60-second timeframe. Defenders from the opposing team will try to prevent scoring attempts but cannot enter the player’s starting circle.
The Shootout will feature nine rounds resembling penalty kicks, with players having 8 seconds to shoot from different spots. Goalkeepers are free to move beyond the goal line during this event.
In the Crossbar Challenge, teams will take turns attempting to hit the crossbar from the 18-yard line, with successful hits adding points to the team total. The distance doubles to 36 yards after reaching five points, and the first team to hit the crossbar from there wins.
Stars gear up to showcase their skills
While the full 2024 Skills Challenge rosters will be announced soon, the NWSL revealed eight participants in Thursday’s announcement.
The lone returning contender from the 2023 event is Michelle Alozie of Houston. She will be joined by 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 makes it to the NWSL Championship on November 23rd, Angelina will withdraw from the competition.
How to watch the 2024 NWSL Skills Challenge
The event at the University of Kansas Health System Training Center on Friday is open to the public for free.
If you are unable to attend, the full event replay will be broadcast nationwide on CBS on Sunday, November 24th.
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