FootyPop: North Carolina Courage Become 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Champions

This week there was more NWSL action with the Challenge Cup coming to an end with a champion crowned. Additionally, the NWSL gained a new exciting partnership, Gotham FC gained more owners, and Alex Morgan scored a whopping four goals in one match. So here’s this week’s women’s soccer news. 

High of the Week

United in keeping the game growing 📈 The NWSL welcomes @ukginc as the league's newest partner in historic deal

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 6, 2022

Ahead of the NWSL Challenge Cup Championship, the league announced that UKG had signed a three-year partnership with the league to sponsor the Challenge Cup. The partnership increased the prize bonuses this year by ten and will continue to increase each year. It’s a huge step for the league and the sport. 

Low of the Week

https://twitter.com/EqualizerSoccer/status/1522033662073749507

Officiating has been a popular topic for years in the NWSL. Players, coaches, and fans all have expressed displeasure with referees in the league and demanded an improvement in that area. The officiating issues were shown in the Challenge Cup semifinals and final, with missed penalty kick calls in both. It’s something that has to be improved. 

News of the Week

https://twitter.com/GothamFC/status/1521837069760352256

NJ/NY Gotham FC announced that Thirty Five Ventures (35V) has joined the ownership group. 35V was founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman, who joined Gotham as minority owners. The announcement came just a week after Carli Lloyd joined the ownership as well. 

About last night…

FWA Women's Footballer of the Year 2022 @samkerr1 💙👏 pic.twitter.com/qsIS70P7Oo

— CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND! 🏆 (@ChelseaFCW) May 6, 2022

Unsurprisingly, Sam Kerr continues to rack up awards, this time being crowned the Football Writers’ Association Female Player of the Year. 

Win Of The Week

🏆 @TheNCCourage are your 2022 #NWSLChallengeCup Champions! 🏆#CourageUnitesUs | @DeloitteUS pic.twitter.com/mWVr2UnD14

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 7, 2022

The North Carolina Courage won the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The Courage defeated the Washington Spirit 2-1 in the final in front of their home crowd at Wakemed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. The Courage got goals from Kerolin and a Washington own goal while Ashley Hatch scored the Spirit’s lone goal. 

In addition, while the Courage did lift the title, there was a scary moment with Washington’s Jordan Baggett going down with an injury. She was carted off the field and transported to the hospital to be evaluated. 

Player Of The Week

*third player to score four, not that @alexmorgan13 will be angry. pic.twitter.com/faNV5AiRy3

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 8, 2022

The San Diego Wave got their first regular-season home win in a big way when they defeated NJ/NY Gotham FC 4-0. Alex Morgan had a massive game scoring all four goals of the match. The forward registered two penalty kick goals and two from the run of play to give the Wave their second straight win.

Featured image via @TheNCCourage on Twitter

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