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. In the 2022 championship game, the North Carolina Courage won their first title, defeating the Washington Spirit 2–1.[1]

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup
2022 National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
DatesMarch 18–May 7
Teams12
Defending championsPortland Thorns FC
Final positions
ChampionsNorth Carolina Courage (1st title)
Runner-upWashington Spirit
Tournament statistics
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.[2] 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.[2]

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.[2]

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:[2]

  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: 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 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

East Division

Standings

PosTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualificationNCWASNJYORL
1North Carolina Courage6330127+512Advance to knockout stage2–22–01–0
2Washington Spirit6240127+510Advance to knockout stage based on ranking2–21–14–1
3NJ/NY Gotham FC613258−361–11–31–1
4Orlando Pride6024411−722–40–00–1
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


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

Central Division

Standings

PosTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualificationKCCHILOUHOU
1Kansas City Current6411107+313Advance to knockout stage2–10–32–1
2Chicago Red Stars622286+281–20–02–0
3Racing Louisville FC613287+161–11–12–3
4Houston Dash6204713−660–31–32–1
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


Houston Dash0–3Kansas City Current
Report
Attendance: 2,229
Referee: Laura Rodriguez



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

West Division

Standings

PosTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualificationRGNPORSDLA
1OL Reign6420115+614Advance to knockout stage1–13–12–1
2Portland Thorns FC631285+3100–13–23–0
3San Diego Wave FC6123911−251–10–14–2
4Angel City FC6114613−741–31–01–1
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


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

Ranking of second-placed teams

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

PosGrpTeamPldWTLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1EastWashington Spirit6240127+510Advance to knockout stage
2WestPortland Thorns FC631285+310
3CentralChicago Red Stars622286+28
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.[2]

Bracket

Semifinals Championship
      
1OL Reign0 (8)
4Washington Spirit (p)0 (9)
4Washington Spirit1
3North Carolina Courage2
2Kansas City Current1
3North Carolina Courage2

Semifinals


Championship

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:[2]

  • 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 / CoachOffense(s)Suspension
Amber Brooks, WAS   vs. NJY, March 25vs. NC, March 30
Savannah McCaskill, LA vs. RGN, March 26vs. 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

Awards

All-Tournament Team

Debinha was named the MVP for the second consecutive Challenge Cup.[3]

Pos.PlayerClub
GK Phallon Tullis-JoyceOL Reign
DF Carson PickettNorth Carolina Courage
Abby ErcegNorth Carolina Courage
Alana CookOL Reign
Sofia HuertaOL Reign
MF Rose LavelleOL Reign
Ashley SanchezWashington Spirit
Debinha #North Carolina Courage
FW Kristen HamiltonKansas City Current
Ashley HatchWashington Spirit
Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit

# Tournament MVP

Weekly awards

WeekPlayer of the WeekSave of the WeekRef.
PlayerClubPlayerClub
1 Mallory PughChicago Red Stars Kailen SheridanSan Diego Wave FC[4][5]
2 María SánchezHouston Dash Phallon Tullis-JoyceOL Reign[6][7]
3 Alex MorganSan Diego Wave FC Phallon Tullis-Joyce (2)OL Reign[8][9]
4 Hina SugitaPortland Thorns FC Phallon Tullis-Joyce (3)OL Reign[10][11]
5 Elyse BennettKansas City Current Kristen EdmondsKansas City Current[12][13]

References