The Cutback: US Soccer Launches Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup for Women’s Pro Teams

US Soccer announced on Wednesday the launch of a new single-elimination knockout competition called the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, uniting all 24 sanctioned professional women’s teams across the country, The Cutback reported.

The tournament features all 16 National Women’s Soccer League sides and eight USL-Super League teams. This marks the first time women’s football in the United States has featured an inter-league cup competition where teams from different professional leagues compete against each other in a formalised event.

The competition is named after Arthur M. Blank, owner of Major League Soccer side Atlanta United and the incoming Atlanta City FC NWSL franchise. The tournament includes a total prize pool of more than $1.5 million, with the winning club collecting $1.1 million. It also serves as a pathway to qualify for the Concacaf W Champions Cup.

Planning for the new domestic tournament remains ongoing. Details concerning timing and regulations are still being discussed between US Soccer, NWSL clubs, and the NWSL Players Association. US Soccer stated that the official launch date will be determined upon consultation with key stakeholders in the ecosystem.

Cindy Parlow Cone, US Soccer president, addressed the launch in a public statement. “Women’s soccer continues to be one of the most dynamic and inspiring forces in sport,” Parlow Cone said. “The Crest Cup will create meaningful impact by bringing people together, attracting investment in the future of the game, and ensuring that excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity remain at the heart of women’s soccer in the United States.”

The USL-Super League also released a statement acknowledging the new tournament on Wednesday. The structure mirrors the tradition of US Soccer's US Open Cup for the men's game, which features professional clubs from all levels.

The NWSL has previously operated the Challenge Cup as an additional domestic competition since its introduction in 2020 as a one-off summer tournament during the Covid-19 impacted season. The NWSL altered the format multiple times in subsequent years. Since 2024, the Challenge Cup has functioned as a one-off game between the previous season’s NWSL Championship playoff winners and the NWSL Shield winners.