Four Gamecocks on NWSL Challenge Cup Rosters
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s soccer program will have four players on 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup rosters, the teams announced this week prior to the opening matches on April 9.
Savannah McCaskill (Racing Louisville FC), Kaleigh Kurtz (North Carolina Courage), Taylor Leach (Kansas City) and Tatumn Milazzo (Chicago Red Stars) all were officially announced as members of their respective squads this week. The four former Gamecocks is the most the program has had on NWSL rosters at one time, with Milazzo joining the professional ranks on Monday with her hometown Chicago team.
McCaskill joins Racing Louisiville FC, an NWSL expansion team that is playing its first matches in 2021. McCaskill was traded to Louisville this past October after spending two seasons with the Chicago Red Stars and making the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup final. She scored two goals and assisted three more during her time in Chicago, including a goal in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal. McCaskill’s South Carolina career concluded in 2017 where she led the Gamecocks to the program’s first College Cup appearance and added two SEC championships (2016, 2017).
Kurtz, who graduated South Carolina in 2016, enters another season with the North Carolina Courage in 2021. Kurtz joined North Carolina Courage in 2018 making 18 appearances with the team. Most recently Kurtz spent the NWSL off season in the Australian W-League playing in the capital for Canberra United, on loan from the North Carolina Courage. She played every minute in the 12-game season for Canberra. Kurtz capped off her time in Canberra by receiving the prestigious award, 2019/2020 Canberra United Player of the Year.
After her squad relocated from Utah to Kansas City, Leach enters her first season with the NWSL expansion team in 2021. Leach, a former Swedish professional, joined the NWSL last season in Utah. Leach last played with the Gamecocks in 2014 where she was one of the most dominant defenders in program history. She was a two-time First Team All-SEC defender and helped the program reach its first NCAA quarterfinal in 2014.
On April 5 the Chicago Red Stars made it public that Milazzo had made their 2021 Challenge Cup roster, adding yet another Gamecock to the professional ranks. Milazzo last played with Carolina in 2019 where she left as a three-time SEC Champion, helping Carolina win titles in 2016, 2017 and in 2019. However, Milazzo ended her career in South Carolina with a knee injury on senior night against Ole Miss. Milazzo was forced to miss the remainder of the season, but continued her soccer career post college that has ended up in a professional roster spot with her hometown team.
Milazzo’s professional contract makes 12 current Gamecocks under contract on the professional level around the world, good enough for the most by any team in the SEC. The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup begins on Friday, April 9, with a doubleheader starting with the Chicago Red Stars taking on the defending Challege Cup Champions, the Houston Dash, at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network followed by the Portland Thorns hosting Leach and Kansas City at 10:30 p.m. ET on Parmount +.
Make sure to follow the Gamecocks on Twitter and Instagram (@GamecockWSoccer) and on Facebook so you do not miss any content during the 2021 season.
