NWSL Stars Set To Feature At The 2017 Cyprus Cup

Prior to the start of the 2017 NWSL season, several key players will have the chance to represent their countries in the 2017 Cyprus Women’s Cup. The months of February and March mark a quiet period for some of the world’s biggest leagues, including the United States, England and Australia. This creates the perfect time for international friendly competitions to take place, including the SheBelieves Cup in the US and the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

The competition features 12 teams placed into three groups of four. 

Group A 

1. Belgium
2. Italy
3. North Korea
4. Switzerland

Group B 

1. Austria 
2. South Korea 
3. New Zealand
4. Scotland 

Group C

1. Czech Republic
2. Republic of Ireland
3. Hungary
4. Wales 

After group play, each of the 12 teams are ranked and placed into a final table to determine the final matches. In an odd twist of rules, teams from Group C are eliminated from the chance of winning the Cup before it even begins (they are all ranked outside the top 30 by FIFA). Only the winners from Group A and Group B could contest the final. 

The NWSL continues to grow in stature around the world and features many national team players at this tournament. This year, the league has seven players called into action for the tournament.

• Seattle Reign - Rachel Corsie (Scotland), Rebekah Stott (New Zealand) and Jess Fishlock (Wales)
• Boston Breakers - Rosie White (New Zealand)
• FC Kansas City - Katie Bowen (New Zealand)
• Houston Dash - Denise O’Sullivan (Republic of Ireland)

The North Carolina Courage’s Abby Erceg, the captain of New Zealand, is set to retire from international play after the tournament, at 27, due to the national body’s treatment of the team.

US Soccer has taken a queue from this Cup with the creation of the SheBelieves Cup, which started last year. While newer, and hosting only four nations, it is arguably already bigger, featuring Germany, France and England (all ranked in the FIFA top 5). Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how the two cup competitions grow and rival one another in both size and stature. 

The US has only appeared in the Cyprus Cup once, in 2008, losing to Canada in the final with their U-20 team. Canada and England are tied for the most final victories at three a piece. The 2017 competition only features one former winner, that being Austria, last year’s champion. 

To find out more about the Cyprus Cup or to maybe even look into travel arrangements to attend, visit http://www.cypruswomenscup.net/.