NWSL Challenge Cup Roundup Week 3-4

One of the best things about the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup has been the parity within the league. Two teams have been added to the NWSL, and yet there’s still everything to play for with a couple of games remaining. The teams will have a little extra time to prepare with an international break, but until then, let’s get you caught up on what you might’ve missed from the latest week of NWSL Challenge Cup action. 

 

RESULTS:

Racing Louisville 3 Kansas City Current 0

San Diego Wave 4 Angel City FC 2

Chicago Red Stars 2 Houston Dash 0

OL Reign 1 Portland Thorns 0

Gotham FC 1 North Carolina Courage 1

Washington Spirit 4 Orlando Pride 1

 

STANDINGS: 

East 

• North Carolina Courage – 8 points
• Washington Spirit – 6 points
• Gotham FC – 5 points
• Orlando Pride – 1 point

Central 

• Chicago Red Stars – 7 points
• Kansas City Current – 7 points
• Racing Louisville – 5 points
• Houston Dash – 3 points

West

• OL Reign – 7 points
• Portland Thorns – 7 points
• San Diego Wave – 4 points
• Angel City FC – 1 point

 

Racing Louisville Picks Up Huge Win Over KC Current

If the KC Current could beat Racing Lousiville, they would’ve been one step closer to the semifinal. Three points would’ve put a lot of pressure on Chicago to keep up with them for the top spot. However, the Central group is still up for grabs, thanks to a solid Louisville performance. 

Jessica McDonald created an own goal within the first ten minutes. Then in the second half, they added two more, including a first-ever NWSL goal for Lauren Milliet. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but Louisville made things really interesting in the Central with two games left to go. 

 

San Diego Wave Smash Angel City FC in Historic Event on National TV

San Diego and Angel City squared off for a second time in the Challenge Cup. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw, but this time the Wave’s offense came alive. Before getting into the highlights, it’s important to mention this was one of the most-watched women’s soccer games ever. Anyone who says the NWSL can’t complete with the MLS in terms of viewership and revenue needs to look at this.

SoCal Surge is official 📈

➡️ 2nd most-viewed CC group match in history
➡️ 3rd highest non-championship viewed broadcast in #NWSL history#CueTheChaos pic.twitter.com/s1ogMkBStU

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

With star power like Christen Press and Alex Morgan on display, along with a new geographic rivalry and more west coast viewers, it’s easy to see how those viewership numbers were achieved on CBS. The game itself didn’t disappoint those who tuned in. Angel City is still having a tough time defensively, but Christen Press had one of the lone bright spots with her first goal for her new club. 

🅿️ress play on this one ▶️@ChristenPress gets her first for ACFC!!@weareangelcity | #AngelCityFC pic.twitter.com/jUepBPZKl2

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 2, 2022

Angel City did what they could to stay in the game, but the Wave’s offense was too much. This goal started with a beautiful backheel from Taylor Kornieck to Kristen McNabb, who then whipped in a cross to a wide-open Alex Morgan. While it was a swift move, Alex Morgan can’t be left wide open in the box; she’ll score that almost every time. 

The crowd in San Diego loving the brace from @alexmorgan13 🤩 #WaveFC pic.twitter.com/CmJVjpDxGG

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 2, 2022

San Diego has helped themselves out tremendously with that win; they still have an outside chance of making it if they can upset the likes of the OL Reign or the Portland Thorns.

 

OL Reign Closest Team to Securing Spot in Semifinals

The OL Reign and Portland Thorns went toe-to-toe in another edition of the Cascadia Rivalry. The first meeting ended in a 1-1 draw, but the OL Reign did enough to take the three points this time. It was a competitive match throughout, but in the end, it was the technical ability of OL Reign’s attack that made the difference. 

The movement, the finish, the moment 🤌@roselavelle | @OLReign pic.twitter.com/cGGqpNNcN7

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 3, 2022

Bethany Balcer found Jess Fishlock just outside the box and the Welsh international picked out an inch-perfect pass into Rose Lavelle. Lavelle still had a lot to do with a poor angle and a defender on her, but it didn’t stop her from shooting. The power was too much for Abby Smith, who couldn’t keep it out on her near post. 

The OL Reign now has a game in hand and is tied on points with the Thorns. A win over Angel City in the next match would put them three points clear of the Thorns, making it very difficult to make up those three points in the last game. The OL Reign is clicking on all cylinders and should be the first team that qualifies for the semifinals. 

 

Featured image via @racinglouisvillefc on Instagram

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