Title: OL Reign Forward Bethany Balcer Expresses Frustration with NWSL Challenge Cup Setup
Introduction
OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer recently voiced her frustration with the scheduling and national broadcast time slots of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. As this year’s No. 1 seed, Balcer highlighted the challenges faced by her team if they advance to the final. This article will delve into Balcer’s comments and provide an overview of the NWSL Challenge Cup.
What Balcer Said
In an Instagram story post, Balcer criticized the league for repeating past mistakes in scheduling and national broadcast time slots. She expressed disappointment that if OL Reign wins the semifinal against Racing Louisville, they won’t be able to host the final in Seattle due to a locked-in 12:30 ET time slot on CBS. Balcer suggested that the game should be broadcast on YouTube instead, emphasizing the need for increased exposure and viewership.
Backstory
The NWSL Challenge Cup, introduced in 2020, is an annual tournament that now runs concurrently with the NWSL regular season. This year’s edition features a prize pool of $1 million. The tournament began with group stage play on April 19, with the top three teams from each division advancing to the semifinals. OL Reign, Kansas City Current, North Carolina Courage, and Racing Louisville FC secured their spots in the semifinals.
The Challenge Cup semifinals and final occur during the crucial homestretch of the NWSL season, with only four games remaining before playoffs. The top five teams are separated by just three points, and teams not involved in the tournament will have a two-week break without a game.
Balcer’s Injury and OL Reign’s Past Performance
Unfortunately, Balcer will miss the semifinal against Racing Louisville due to a leg injury. Her absence will be felt by OL Reign, as she has been a key player since joining the team in 2019. Balcer has contributed five goals and one assist across 18 games this season.
Last year, OL Reign reached the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals as the No. 1 seed but lost to the Washington Spirit in penalties. This history adds to Balcer’s frustration, as she believes the league’s scheduling decisions have hindered her team’s chances of success.
Conclusion
Bethany Balcer’s frustration with the setup of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women’s soccer in terms of scheduling and exposure. As the No. 1 seed, OL Reign should have the opportunity to host important matches, but the predetermined broadcast time slots limit their options. Balcer’s call for increased exposure and flexibility in scheduling reflects the broader desire to grow the women’s game.
The NWSL Challenge Cup continues to evolve, with plans to scrap the tournament in 2024 and replace it with a one-off game to start the season. As the league navigates these changes, it is essential to address the concerns raised by players like Bethany Balcer and work towards creating a more equitable and accessible platform for women’s soccer.
(Photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)