2022 NWSL Challenge Cup

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup was a league cup competition that took place during the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season. It was 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
ChampionsNorth Carolina Courage (1st title)
Runners-upWashington Spirit
Championship match score2–1
Matches played39
Goals scored106 (2.72 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Ashley Hatch (6 goals)
MVPDebinha
← 2021
2023 →

Format

The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup was a multi-stage tournament. All 12 NWSL teams participated 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 was split into three regional groups of four teams each; East, Central and West. Each team played a six-game double round-robin in which every team played all others in its division at home and away. The winner from each of the three divisions along with the highest-ranked group stage runner-up progressed to the knockout stage, which consisted of three single-elimination matches: two semifinals and one final.[1] As a result of the expanded group stage, teams played 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 were played, 18 more than the 21 matches played during the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup.

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

Teams were required to have a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 20 players on a matchday roster. A maximum of nine players could 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 could be made after the end of normal playing time (except if a goalkeeper was unable to continue before or during the penalty shoot-out). Two "concussion substitutes" could also be used in accordance with IFAB rules.[1]

Tiebreakers

A team's position in the divisional standings was 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 were tied on points at the end of the group stage, the following tiebreaking criteria were 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 teams involved in the tie.
  4. Direct head-to-head goal difference in matches between teams involved in the tie.
  5. Direct head-to-head number of goals scored in matches between teams involved in the tie.
  6. Fewest disciplinary points accrued. Points were awarded as follows (players could receive only one disciplinary points assessment per match, with the highest taking precedent):
    1. Yellow card yellow card: 1 point;
    2. Yellow card Yellow-red card indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
    3. Red card direct red card: 4 points;
    4. Yellow card Red card yellow card and direct red card: 5 points.
  7. If teams still could not be separated using the tiebreaking procedures, the NWSL would 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 was followed except for the use of the head-to-head scenarios by virtue of the fact teams from different divisions would 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
  • Kowalski 7'
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 advanced 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 was determined by points accumulated in the group stage, followed if necessary by any applicable tiebreakers. The advancing second-place team was automatically made the #4 seed.[1]

Bracket
Semifinals Championship
      
1 OL Reign 0 (8)
4 Washington Spirit (p) 0 (9)
4 Washington Spirit 1
3 North Carolina Courage 2
2 Kansas City Current 1
3 North Carolina Courage 2

Semifinals
OL Reign0–0Washington Spirit
Report
Penalties
 8–9
Attendance: 3,015
Referee: Greg Dopka
Kansas City Current1–2North Carolina Courage
 Report
Attendance: 4,093
Referee: Natalie Simon

Championship
Main article: 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Championship
North Carolina Courage2–1Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 3,163

Statistics

Goalscorers

There were 106 goals scored in 39 matches, for an average of 2.72 goals per match.

6 goals

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 was 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 were carried over to the 2022 NWSL regular season. Suspensions as a result of indirect red cards were not carried over.

The following suspensions were served during the tournament:

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

Awards

All-Tournament Team

Debinha was named the MVP for the second consecutive Challenge Cup.[2]

Pos. Player Club
GKUnited States Phallon Tullis-JoyceOL Reign
DFUnited States Carson PickettNorth Carolina Courage
New Zealand Abby ErcegNorth Carolina Courage
United States Alana CookOL Reign
United States Sofia HuertaOL Reign
MFUnited States Rose LavelleOL Reign
United States Ashley SanchezWashington Spirit
Brazil Debinha #North Carolina Courage
FWUnited States Kristen HamiltonKansas City Current
United States Ashley HatchWashington Spirit
United States Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit

# Tournament MVP

Weekly awards
Week Player of the Week Save of the Week Ref.
Player Club Player Club
1United States Mallory PughChicago Red StarsCanada Kailen SheridanSan Diego Wave FC[3][4]
2Mexico María SánchezHouston DashUnited States Phallon Tullis-JoyceOL Reign[5][6]
3United States Alex MorganSan Diego Wave FCUnited States Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2)OL Reign[7][8]
4Japan Hina SugitaPortland Thorns FCUnited States Phallon Tullis-Joyce (3)OL Reign[9][10]
5United States Elyse BennettKansas City CurrentUnited States 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. "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  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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