Six Teams in Running for 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Playoff Spots
Published on April 22, 2022 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release
CHICAGO - As the National Women's Soccer League enters the final week of group stage play in the 2022 Challenge Cup, six teams look to punch tickets to the four-team semifinal round of the tournament at the conclusion of this weekend's matches.
This weekend's playoff-deciding matches are headlined by the North Carolina Courage and the Washington Spirit, who are slated to kick off Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. ET on The CBS Television Network and Paramount+.
Streaming exclusively on Paramount+, OL Reign face off against San Diego Wave FC Saturday, April 23 at 10 p.m. ET followed by the Kansas City Current who hosts the Chicago Red Stars on Sunday, April 24 for a 5 p.m. ET contest. Also on Paramount+, Portland Thorns FC rounds out the weekend with a 9 p.m. ET contest against Angel City FC.
Looking to round out an undefeated group stage, which has so far included three multi-goal games, OL Reign is in position to clinch the top spot in the West with either a win or a draw against San Diego, or a Portland loss or draw. Conversely, the Thorns could claim first place with a win over Angel City and a Reign loss by two or more goals. Five players have scored for the Thorns during the Cup, including Hina Sugita, who tallied her first brace of her NWSL career with a pair of goals in the team's 3-2 win over San Diego.
On the east coast, undefeated North Carolina's path to first in the East can be secured with a win or draw against Washington while the Spirit must best North Carolina to finish first in the group. The matchup will pit 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year Trinity Rodman, who currently leads the Challenge Cup scoring effort with four goals, against international phenom Debinha, who looks to add her fourth goal to the tournament scoresheet.
It is a must-win scenario for Chicago to clinch over Kansas City, who can finish atop the Central region with a win or draw against the Red Stars. Sitting atop the league scoring charts alongside Rodman with a quartet of goals, Chicago forward Mallory Pugh will front the team's attack against a gritty Current team with offensive playmakers Elyse Bennett, Kristen Hamilton and Hailie Mace.
Following this weekend's matches, the four advancing teams will face off in a pair of semifinal contests set for Wednesday, May 4, with the higher seed hosting the lower seed. In the event that a higher seed is unable to host due to venue availability issues, the lower seed will host the match.
Week 2 regular season matches involving teams that advance to the Challenge Cup final on Saturday, May 7 will be rescheduled to a future date.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 22, 2022
- Phallon Tullis-Joyce Earns Third NWSL Save of the Week - Seattle Reign FC
- Match Preview: Kansas City Current vs Chicago - Chicago Stars FC
- Match Preview: Kansas City Current vs Chicago - Chicago Stars FC
- Angel City FC and Wasserman Engage Student Athletes as Team Ambassadors Leveraging NIL Legislation - Angel City FC
- Houston Dash Announce Three Roster Moves - Houston Dash
- NC Courage Announce Partnership with Virtue® Hair Care - North Carolina Courage
- Orlando Pride Travels to NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday - Orlando Pride
- Six Teams in Running for 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup Playoff Spots - NWSL
- Washington Spirit Can Clinch East Division Title with Win over Courage - Washington Spirit
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