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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>NWSL announces Challenge Cup to start 2024 season</li><li>Gotham to take on San Diego Wave</li><li>USWNT stars pitted against each other</li></ul>

USWNT star Alex Morgan and San Diego Wave to take on Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle's Gotham FC in NWSL Challenge Cup to kickoff 2024 campaign

The announcement came Thursday from league commissioner Jessica Berman, who announced that the heavyweight contest will begin the 2024 season. The Challenge Cup pits the NWSL Shield Holder, San Diego Wave, against the current league champions, Gotham FC, in a winner-takes-all game.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Back by popular demand. 🏆🦇 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/sandiegowavefc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sandiegowavefc</a> ⏰ 8pm ET 🏟️ <a href="https://twitter.com/RedBullArena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RedBullArena</a> 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/PrimeVideo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrimeVideo</a> <a href="https://t.co/qvebHu8Kom">pic.twitter.com/qvebHu8Kom</a>— NJ/NY Gotham FC - x (@GothamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/GothamFC/status/1748389202931114475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

The match will be streamed on Amazon Prime and will be played at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. It will pit the reigning champions against the best regular season team from 2023, with the Bats looking to pick up their title-winning form from last season. The Wave, meanwhile, will aim to prove their doubters wrong - while Morgan will look to get off the mark early on.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Wave lost to OL Reign 1-0 in the NWSL semifinals last playoff season, ending their 2023 campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Preseason will get underway over the next few weeks, with teams starting training and prep for the upcoming campaign. Then, come March 15, two of the top teams in the league will go head-to-head to begin the 2024 season.

WHAT NEXT FOR NWSL

USWNT star Alex Morgan and San Diego Wave to take on Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle's Gotham FC in NWSL Challenge Cup to kickoff 2024 campaign | Goal.com English Bahrain

USWNT star Alex Morgan will take on Crystal Dunn and Rose Lavelle when San Diego Wave and Gotham FC open the 2024 NWSL season in the Challenge Cup.