2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup is a league cup competition taking place during the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season. It is the third iteration of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup
2022 National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup
CountryUnited States
DatesMarch 18–May 7
Teams12
Defending championsPortland Thorns FC
Matches played36
Goals scored100 (2.78 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Ashley Hatch
(5 goals)
← 2021
2023 →
All statistics correct as of April 24, 2022.

Format

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup is a multi-stage tournament. All 12 NWSL teams will participate in the Challenge Cup, an increase of two from the previous edition due to the addition of expansion franchises Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC during the offseason. As a result, the competition will be split into three regional groups of four teams each; East, Central and West. Each team will play a six-game double round-robin in which every team plays all others in its division at home and away. The winner from each of the three divisions will progress to the knockout stage along with the highest-ranked group stage runner-up to make up the four semifinalists. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the tournament will proceed with a knockout stage consisting of three single-elimination matches: two semifinals and one final.[1] As a result of the expanded group stage, teams will now play a minimum of six games, two more than in 2021, and a maximum of eight, three more than in 2021. A total of 39 matches are scheduled, 18 more than the 21 matches played during the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.

No matches will have extra time. In the group stage, matches may end in a tie at the end of normal playing time. In the knockout stage, if a match is tied at the end of normal playing time, the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.[1]

Teams must have a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 20 players on a matchday roster. A maximum of nine players can be named as substitutes with a maximum of five substitutions in three stoppages (excluding half-time) permitted to be used during a match. No substitutes may be made after the end of normal playing time (except if a goalkeeper is unable to continue before or during the penalty shoot-out). Two "concussion substitutes" may also be used in accordance with IFAB rules.[1]

Tiebreakers

A team's position in the divisional standings is determined by points with three points awarded for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points at the end of the group stage, the following tiebreaking criteria is applied to determine the final group standings:[1]

  1. Greatest goal difference across all group stage matches.
  2. Most goals scored across all group stage matches.
  3. Direct head-to-head points record with team(s) involved in the tiebreak scenario.
  4. Direct head-to-head goal difference in matches only between teams involved in the tiebreak scenario.
  5. Direct head-to-head number of goals scored in matches only between teams involved in the tiebreak scenario.
  6. Fewest disciplinary points accrued. Points are awarded as follows (players may only receive one disciplinary points total per match with the highest taking precedent):
    1. yellow card: 1 point;
    2.   indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
    3. direct red card: 4 points;
    4.   yellow card and direct red card: 5 points.
  7. If teams still cannot be separated using the tiebreaking procedures, the NWSL will decide ranking using the random drawing of lots.

In the case of two or more teams from different divisions being tied on points at the end of the group stage, the same procedure is followed except for the use of the head-to-head scenarios by virtue of the fact teams from different divisions will not have played each other during the group stage.

Group stage

Standings
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NC WAS NJY ORL
1 North Carolina Courage 6 3 3 0 12 7 +5 12 Advance to knockout stage — 2–2 2–0 1–0
2 Washington Spirit 6 2 4 0 12 7 +5 10 Advance to knockout stage based on ranking 2–2 — 1–1 4–1
3 NJ/NY Gotham FC 6 1 3 2 5 8 −3 6 1–1 1–3 — 1–1
4 Orlando Pride 6 0 2 4 4 11 −7 2 2–4 0–0 0–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Matches
Orlando Pride0–0Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 3,534
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
North Carolina Courage2–0NJ/NY Gotham FC
  • Pinto 22'
  • Erceg 51'
 Report
Attendance: 2,537
Referee: Karen Callado
Washington Spirit1–1NJ/NY Gotham FC
 Report
Attendance: 3,421
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
North Carolina Courage1–0Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 3,328
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
Orlando Pride0–1NJ/NY Gotham FC
 Report
Attendance: 3,351
Referee: Anya Voigt
Washington Spirit2–2North Carolina Courage
 Report
Attendance: 2,155
Referee: Danielle Chesky
NJ/NY Gotham FC1–1North Carolina Courage
 Report
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Washington Spirit4–1Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 5,656
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
Orlando Pride2–4North Carolina Courage
 Report
Attendance: 3,601
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
NJ/NY Gotham FC1–3Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 2,061
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
North Carolina Courage2–2Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 3,905
Referee: Eric Tattersall
NJ/NY Gotham FC1–1Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 2,734
Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Standings
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KC CHI LOU HOU
1 Kansas City Current 6 4 1 1 10 7 +3 13 Advance to knockout stage — 2–1 0–3 2–1
2 Chicago Red Stars 6 2 2 2 8 6 +2 8 1–2 — 0–0 2–0
3 Racing Louisville FC 6 1 3 2 8 7 +1 6 1–1 1–1 — 2–3
4 Houston Dash 6 2 0 4 7 13 −6 6 0–3 1–3 2–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Matches
Racing Louisville FC1–1Kansas City Current
 Report
Attendance: 5,532
Referee: Danielle Cheskey
Houston Dash1–3Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 4,087
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
Racing Louisville FC2–3Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 3,800
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
Chicago Red Stars1–2Kansas City Current
 Report
Attendance: 2,604
Referee: Greg Dopka
Chicago Red Stars0–0Racing Louisville FC
 Report
Referee: Calin Radosav
Houston Dash0–3Kansas City Current
 Report
Attendance: 2,229
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Kansas City Current0–3Racing Louisville FC
Report
Attendance: 6,310
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Chicago Red Stars2–0Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 1,741
Kansas City Current2–1Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 5,022
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
Racing Louisville FC1–1Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 4,409
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Kansas City Current2–1Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 5,107
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Houston Dash2–1Racing Louisville FC
 Report
Attendance: 3,073
Referee: Braad Jensen

Standings
Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RGN POR SD LA
1 OL Reign 6 4 2 0 11 5 +6 14 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1 3–1 2–1
2 Portland Thorns FC 6 3 1 2 8 5 +3 10 0–1 — 3–2 3–0
3 San Diego Wave FC 6 1 2 3 9 11 −2 5 1–1 0–1 — 4–2
4 Angel City FC 6 1 1 4 6 13 −7 4 1–3 1–0 1–1 —
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points record; 5) Head-to-head goal differential; 6) Head-to-head number of goals scored; 7) Fewest disciplinary points; 8) Drawing of lots

Matches
OL Reign1–1Portland Thorns FC
 Report
Attendance: 7,343
Referee: Kevin Broadley
Angel City FC1–1San Diego Wave FC
 Report
Attendance: 6,307
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
Angel City FC1–3OL Reign
 Report
Attendance: 4,156
San Diego Wave FC0–1Portland Thorns FC
Report
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Luis Guardia
Portland Thorns FC3–0Angel City FC
 Report
Attendance: 9,902
Referee: Mark Allatin
San Diego Wave FC4–2Angel City FC
 Report
Attendance: 5,158
Referee: Brad Jensen
Portland Thorns FC0–1OL Reign
Report
Attendance: 12,034
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
OL Reign3–1San Diego Wave FC
 Report
Attendance: 4,803
Referee: Adorae Monroy
OL Reign2–1Angel City FC
 Report
Attendance: 5,660
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Portland Thorns FC3–2San Diego Wave FC
 Report
Attendance: 12,440
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
San Diego Wave FC1–1OL Reign
 Report
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Samantha Martinez
Angel City FC1–0Portland Thorns FC
 Report
Referee: JC Griggs

Ranking of second-placed teams

The best second-placed team from the group stage will advance to the knockout stage.

Pos Grp Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 East Washington Spirit 6 2 4 0 12 7 +5 10 Advance to knockout stage
2 West Portland Thorns FC 6 3 1 2 8 5 +3 10
3 Central Chicago Red Stars 6 2 2 2 8 6 +2 8
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) Total points; 2) Total goal differential; 3) Total number of goals scored; 4) Fewest disciplinary points; 4) Drawing of lots

Knockout stage

The seeding of the division winners is determined by points accumulated in the group stage (as well as any applicable tiebreakers). The advancing second-place team will automatically be the #4 seed.[1]

Bracket
Semifinals Championship
      
1 OL Reign
4 Washington Spirit
 
 
2 Kansas City Current
3 North Carolina Courage

Semifinals
OL ReignvWashington Spirit
Report
Kansas City CurrentvNorth Carolina Courage
Report

Championship

The final will take place on May 7.

Winner SF1vWinner SF2
TBD

Statistics

Goalscorers

There have been 100 goals scored in 36 matches, for an average of 2.78 goals per match (as of April 24, 2022). Players highlighted in bold are still active in the competition.

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Source: NWSL

Statistics do not include penalty-shootout goals.

Discipline

A player will be automatically suspended for the next match in the tournament for the following offenses:[1]

  • Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offenses);
  • Receiving two yellow cards in two matches, unless the second yellow card was accumulated in the final match of group play;
  • Direct red card suspensions will be carried over to the 2022 NWSL regular season. Suspensions as a result of indirect red cards will not be carried over.

The following suspensions were served during the tournament:

Player / Coach Offense(s) Suspension
Amber Brooks, WAS   vs. NJY, March 25 vs. NC, March 30
Savannah McCaskill, LA vs. RGN, March 26 vs. POR, March 30
Lauren Barnes, RGN vs. POR, March 18
vs. LA, March 26		 vs. POR, April 2
Kylie Strom, ORL vs. WAS, March 19
vs. NJY, March 30		 vs. WAS, April 3
McCall Zerboni, NJY vs. WAS, March 25
vs. ORL, March 30		 vs. NC, April 3
Tegan McGrady, SD vs. LA, March 19
vs. LA, April 2		 vs. RGN, April 14
Bianca St-Georges, CHI vs. HOU, March 20
vs. HOU, April 2		 vs. LOU, April 16
Malia Berkely, NC vs. WAS, March 30
vs. NJY, April 3		 vs. ORL, April 16
Jennifer Cudjoe, NJY vs. NCC, March 19
vs. NCC, April 3		 vs. WAS, April 17
Taylor Aylmer, WAS vs. ORL, March 19
vs. NJY, April 17		 vs. NCC, April 23
Kristen McNabb, SD vs. LA, March 19
vs. POR, April 17		 vs. RGN, April 23
Kelcie Hedge, HOU vs. LOU, March 25
vs. KCC, April 15		 vs. LOU, April 24
Ava Cook, CHI vs. KCC, March 25
vs. LOU, April 16		 vs. KCC, April 24
Freja Olofsson, LOU vs. HOU, March 25
vs. CHI, April 16		 vs. HOU, April 24

Weekly awards
Week Player of the Week Save of the Week Ref.
Player Club Player Club
1 Mallory PughChicago Red Stars Kailen SheridanSan Diego Wave FC[3][4]
2 María SánchezHouston Dash Phallon Tullis-JoyceOL Reign[5][6]
3 Alex MorganSan Diego Wave FC Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2)OL Reign[7][8]
4 Hina SugitaPortland Thorns FC Phallon Tullis-Joyce (3)OL Reign[9][10]
5 Elyse BennettKansas City Current Kristen EdmondsKansas City Current[11][12]

References
  1. "National Women's Soccer League announce 2022 Challenge Cup format" (PDF). www.nwslsoccer.com. February 7, 2022.
  2. https://twitter.com/jennatonelli/status/1510428259397390336?s=20&t=-2BSA59yD5Me_elpK2hsvQ
  3. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 25, 2022). "Pugh Player of the Week" (Tweet). Retrieved March 25, 2022 – via Twitter.
  4. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 24, 2022). "Sheridan Save of the Week honors" (Tweet). Retrieved March 25, 2022 – via Twitter.
  5. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 30, 2022). "Sanchez Player of the Week" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
  6. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (March 30, 2022). "Tullis-Joyce Save of the Week honors" (Tweet). Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
  7. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 8, 2022). "Morgan Player of the Week" (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2022 – via Twitter.
  8. "Phallon Tullis-Joyce Earns NWSL Save of Week (Again)". OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD.
  9. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 21, 2022). "Sugita on the scene" (Tweet). Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Twitter.
  10. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 22, 2022). "Jumping for Joyce" (Tweet). Retrieved April 22, 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 28, 2022). "This rookie is real" (Tweet). Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via Twitter.
  12. National Women's Soccer League [@NWSL] (April 28, 2022). "Not a keeper, but this save is" (Tweet). Retrieved April 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
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