NWSL Challenge Cup 2022 Preview

The NWSL Challenge Cup 2022 has the making to be bigger, bolder, and even more exciting. There are now 12 NWSL teams, making this cup competition even more competitive.

The teams are broken down into three divisions, with the top team from each group and the best second-place team overall making up the top four for the semifinals. Here’s where each team stands in our 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Preview. See full TV schedule below!

Central: Chicago Red Stars, Kansas City Current, Racing Louisville, Houston Dash

East: Gotham FC, Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride

West: Angel City FC, San Diego Wave, Portland Thorns, OL Reign

March Challenge Cup Bracket!!

Check out our March Challenge Cup Bracket here! Fill it out by end of the day on Friday, March 18th (11:59pm) and we will send the person who wins the most correct answers our Yin Yang Socccer Ball!

Chicago Red Stars 

Players to Watch: Mallory Pugh, Danielle Colprico

Key Additions: Alyssa Mautz, Yuki Nagasato

Chicago enters the Challenge Cup with virtually the same roster that made the NWSL Championship game, with a few key additions. Alyssa Mautz has been working her way back from injury and is a solid veteran that adds plenty of versatility.

The other key acquisition is getting Yuki Nagasato back because of her ability to create and score. If Yuki finds a way to combine well with Mallory Pugh and Kealia Watt under new head coach Chris Petrucelli, they are very dangerous.

Plus, if Danielle Colaprico gets back to her best, they will have no holes in their roster; they’ve got to be one of the favorites to win the cup this year. 

 

Orlando Pride

Players to Watch: Sydney Leroux, Marta

Key Additions: Darian Jenkins

Orlando was absolutely gutted by the expansion drafts and other players leaving the club. Amanda Cromwell has her work cut out for her based on the players at her disposal.

This cup will be more about developing the younger draft picks than being as competitive as they can be. But don’t tell that to Sydney Leroux or Marta, who will need to do all the heavy lifting as per usual.

Orlando has some veterans in the midfield and added Darian Jenkins to help in the attack. If Jenkins can provide a lift for Orlando, they’ll be in the mix; if not, they’ll have a tough time winning games in that East division. 

 

San Diego Wave

Players to Watch: Alex Morgan, Kelsey Turnbow

Key Additions: Emily van Egmond, Sofia Jakobsson

The San Diego Wave made a big splash by acquiring Alex Morgan to be the face of the franchise this offseason. With a move closer to home and being a new mother, this move could be the thing for Alex Morgan. The production level was a concern in Orlando, and hopefully, the new setting will give San Diego the goal-scoring they need.

Kelsey Turnbow was one of the best college players over the last couple of years and will need to step up and give this midfield a boost. The two key adds are Emily van Egmond and Sofia Jakobsson. Van Egmond is a Matildas legend who gives them creativity and toughness in the midfield, which they’ll need.

Plus, Sofia Jakobsson will wreak havoc up front once she gets adjusted to the NWSL. San Diego might be a few pieces away, but they will be fun to watch for sure. 

 

Angel City FC

Players to Watch: Christen Press, Simone Charley

Key Additions: Savannah McCaskill, Ali Riley

Angel City FC was very aggressive when putting their roster together; they really have spared no expense when it comes to creating the club. Their attack is loaded; the prospect of Simone Charley, Jasmyne Spencer, and Christen Press working together is incredibly exciting.

They added other key stars like Savannah McCaskill and Ali Riley, who will be big in defending and creating chances.

Angel City does have some nice pieces already, but their midfield needs help; they’ll be very competitive like San Diego but don’t expect them to come out of the West. 

 

Racing Louisville FC

Players to Watch: Jaelin Howell, Savannah DeMelo

Key Additions: Jess McDonald, Nadia Nadim

Racing Louisville might have a new coach, but their style of play will likely be the same. There’s a bit of European influence in terms of attacking play, Ebony Salmon is a matchup nightmare, and now Jessica McDonald adds an even greater goal-scoring threat to the mix.

Nadia Nadim will set an excellent example for the two first-round picks, Jaelin Howell and Savannah DeMelo. DeMelo and Howell’s development is what will make or break this team. If they can come in and be solid right away, Racing Louisville is a dark horse that could surprise people. 

 

Portland Thorns FC

Players to Watch: Sophia Smith, Sam Coffey, Morgan Weaver

Key Additions: None

Portland brings in a new era under head coach Rhian Wilkinson who has no prior managerial experience at the senior level.

Expectations will be at an all-time high, and because of having to make room for players like Lindsay Horan and Crystal Dunn, the Thorns couldn’t add much in the offseason. So the development of their young stars will be key. Can Sophia Smith and Morgan Weaver kick it up another notch? That’s the critical question this season.

Rocky Rodriguez will try to hold it down in the midfield, but people in Portland are high on Sam Coffey, and she could be a key midfielder for them with Christine Sinclair not getting any younger. The Thorns have star power, but this isn’t their best possible roster; they still have a chance to come out of the West. 

 

Houston Dash 

Players to Watch: Bri Visalli, Marisa Viggiano

Key Additions: Maria Sanchez

The Houston Dash always seems to play their best in the NWSL Challenge Cup. This group is great at playing the underdog role when people doubt them.

Now, everyone knows how good they are, and can they replace Kristie Mewis? Maria Sanchez is one of the more underrated signings that no one is talking about; she will score a goal or two at least.

Houston added Marisa Viggiano, who did great things in Orlando and should bolster Houston’s midfield.

Bri Visalli is the final piece to this puzzle; if she can make up for a part of Kristie Mewis’ production, Houston will be tough to beat in the Challenge Cup as always. 

 

Gotham FC Roster

Players to Watch: McCall Zerboni, Midge Purce

Key Additions: Kristie Mewis, Ali Kreiger, Ashlyn Harris

Gotham FC is my pick to win the Challenge Cup, and that’s because they’ve brought the most stacked roster to the competition this year.

They did not lose any key pieces to a playoff team and added Kristie Mewis, Ali Kreiger, and Ashlyn Harris. Gotham is letting their intentions be known. They are going for it all.

Midge Purce has become a superstar and is what makes their offense go, but Kristie Mewis adds a nice bit of playmaking and finishing that Gotham has lacked at times.

Plus, if McCall Zerboni can get back to what she had with North Carolina making life miserable for everyone else in the midfield, Gotham is the most complete team in the competition. 

 

Kansas City Current

Players to Watch: Hailie Mace, Victoria Pickett

Key Additions: Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams

Kansas City not only has a new name, but they added a lot of new faces as well. The Current went out and traded for Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams, which addressed some weaknesses in a BIG way. Those two players surrounded by this mixture of young players and vets are being slept on by everyone.

Hailie Mace and Victoria Pickett are both critical to this team’s success. If they can take a step up, based on how they finished last year, they will be hard to beat over 90 minutes.

The Current could squeak into that 4th spot if Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams are playing right away. We’ll also get a chance to see what former USWNT assistant Matt Potter can do in the NWSL. 

 

North Carolina Courage 

Players to Watch: Debinha, Denise O’Sullivan

Key Additions: Brianna Pinto, Diana Ordoñez 

Sean Nahas did a fantastic job taking over midway through last season and still managed to get them to the playoffs. However, this team might be trending in a different direction this year with a focus on younger players. Trading away Sam Mewis, Lynn Williams, and Jessica McDonald certainly support that theory.

Their defense and goalkeeping are still as strong as ever, but everything offensively will have to come down to Debhina. She’s got the potential to win player of the tournament and win league MVP later this year, and we should get to see greatness on another level.

However, the young players will have to contribute more than expected. Brianna Pinto and Diana Ordonez are two former ACC greats who have a chance to make a name for themselves. The Courage will be formidable as always, but they’re not the same Courage we’ve known for the last five years.

 

Washington Spirit Roster

Players to Watch: Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez

Key Additions: Tinaya Alexander

The defending NWSL champs are back and will definitely look to add the Challenge Cup title to the trophy case. Their roster is also virtually unchanged, with a couple of draft picks coming in.

For Washington, it’s simple; everything revolves around Trinity Rodman and Ashley Sanchez. If they build on last year and improve, even more, they don’t need to fix or change anything. They become even scarier for opposing teams.

Tinaya Alexander was also a great player at LSU and could give them an added lift in the attack. Washington will expect to be the top seed out of the East, but Gotham FC will have something to say about that. 

 

OL Reign 

Players to Watch: Rose Lavelle, Angelina

Key Additions: Veronica Latsko, Nikki Stanton, Tziarra King

The OL Reign, similar to Gotham, brings a very experienced and talented squad with them to the Challenge Cup. We know what “reigning” league MVP Jess Fishlock can still do, and Megan Rapinoe is still Megan Rapinoe. But will we see other players take a step up in progressing?

Rose Lavelle is great, but can she go to another level? Angelina flashed plenty of promise and is only going to get better. If they perform to the expected level, the OL Reign is a clear contender to win the cup as well.

Tziarra King’s energy is infectious, and add that with her timely goal-scoring, she’s sure to have an impact.

Plus, Veronica Latsko and Nikki Stanton really help add tremendous depth to the roster. Based on this team they’re bringing, OL Reign should be the top team out of the West. 

Prediction: 

East winner: Gotham FC

Central winner: Chicago Red Stars

West winner: OL Reign

4th place: Washington Spirit

March Challenge Cup Bracket

Check out our March Challenge Cup Bracket here! Fill it out and we will send the person who wins the most correct answers to our Yin Yang Soccer Ball!

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup TV schedule

 

DATE	TIME (CST)	HOME	AWAY	VENUE	PLATFORM
Sunday, March 20	6:00 p.m.	Houston Dash	Chicago Red Stars	PNC Stadium	Paramount+
Friday, March 25	6:30 p.m.	Racing Louisville FC	Houston Dash	Lynn Family Stadium	Paramount+
Wednesday, March 30	7:30 p.m.	Houston Dash	Kansas City Current	PNC Stadium	Paramount+
Saturday, April 2	7:00 p.m.	Chicago Red Stars	Houston Dash	SeatGeek Stadium	Paramount+
Friday, April 15	7:00 p.m.	Kansas City Current	Houston Dash	Children’s Mercy Park	CBSSN
Sunday, April 24	5:00 p.m.	Houston Dash	Racing Louisville FC	PNC Stadium	CBSSN
Wednesday, May 4 (Semi-Final 1)	7:00 p.m.	TBD	TBD	TBD	CBSSN
Wednesday, May 4 (Semi-Final 2)	9:00 p.m.	TBD	TBD	TBD	Paramount+
Saturday, May 7 (Championship)	12:00 p.m.	TBD	TBD	TBD	CBS/ Paramount+

Featured image via @NWSL on Instagram

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