2023 NWSL Challenge Cup

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2023 NWSL Challenge Cup
2023 UKG National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
DatesApril 19 – September 9
Teams12
Defending championsNorth Carolina Courage
Final positions
ChampionsNorth Carolina Courage (2nd title)
Runner-upRacing Louisville FC
Tournament statistics
Matches played39
Goals scored101 (2.59 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Kristen Hamilton
(5 goals)
MVPKristen Hamilton
All statistics correct as of September 9, 2023.
← 2022
2024 →
Manaka Matsukubo was named MVP of the 2023 Challenge Cup final.

The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, known as the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons,[1] was a league cup competition that took place during the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season.[2][3] It will be the fourth edition of the NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.

The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup was the first time the NWSL Challenge Cup was played concurrently with the regular season, bringing it in line with most other league cup competitions worldwide.[4][5] It was also the first edition under a multi-year sponsorship with UKG, which increased the pool of prize money to $1 million toward a goal of achieving equal compensation when compared to men's leagues and open cup competitions in the United States.[6][7]

Format[edit]

The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup was a multi-stage tournament. All 12 NWSL teams participated in the Challenge Cup, and the tournament was played concurrently with the regular season.[1] The tournament was split into three groups of four teams each, and each team played a six-game double round-robin with its group. Following the group stage, the top team of each group and the highest-placing group runner-up advanced to the single-elimination semifinals on September 6, with the winners competing in the final on September 9.[1][8] Matches did not have extra-time periods, and semifinal and final matches drawn during regulation proceeded directly to kicks from the penalty mark.[8]

Prize money[edit]

Players in the four semifinal teams divide the tournament's $1 million pool of prize money. Sponsor UKG determined a prize pool of that size would draw the tournament's rewards closer to that of the men's MLS is Back tournament, which had a $1.1 million prize pool in 2020. For comparison, the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup prize pool was estimated to be about or less than $500,000.[6]

Tiebreakers[edit]

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 are tied on points at the end of the group stage, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied to determine the final group standings:[8]

  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 will be awarded as follows, and players can receive only one disciplinary points assessment per match, with the highest taking precedent:
    1. Yellow card yellow card: 1 point;
    2. Yellow card Yellow-red card indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
    3. Red card direct red card: 4 points;
    4. Yellow card Red card 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 competition follows the same procedure 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.[8]

Group stage[edit]

East Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification NC NJY WAS ORL
1 North Carolina Courage 6 3 2 1 15 5 +10 11 Advance to knockout stage — 1–1 6–0 0–0
2 NJ/NY Gotham FC 6 3 2 1 10 7 +3 11 2–0 — 1–0 1–1
3 Washington Spirit 6 3 0 3 10 13 −3 9 1–2 4–2 — 4–2
4 Orlando Pride 6 0 2 4 5 15 −10 2 1–1 1–3 0–1 —
Source: NWSL
Orlando Pride1–1North Carolina Courage
  • Watt 56'
 Report
Attendance: 3,139
Referee: Gabriele Giusti
NJ/NY Gotham FC1–0Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 7,543
Referee: Shawn Tehini
North Carolina Courage1–1NJ/NY Gotham FC
 Report
Attendance: 2,761
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
Washington Spirit4–2Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 4,991
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
Washington Spirit1–2North Carolina Courage
 Report
Attendance: 5,778
Referee: Mathew Corrigan
North Carolina Courage6–0Washington Spirit
 Report
Attendance: 4,063
Referee: Thomas Snyder
Orlando Pride1–3NJ/NY Gotham FC
 Report
Attendance: 4,051
Referee: Shawn Tehini
Washington Spirit4–2NJ/NY Gotham FC
 Report
Attendance: 4,732
Referee: Danielle Chesky
North Carolina Courage5–0Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 3,543
Referee: Greg Dopka
Orlando Pride0–1Washington Spirit
Report
Attendance: 3,661
Referee: Brad Jensen
NJ/NY Gotham FC2–0North Carolina Courage
 Report
Attendance: 3,004
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
NJ/NY Gotham FC1–1Orlando Pride
 Report
Attendance: 2,038
Referee: Jeremy Scheer

Central Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification KC LOU HOU CHI
1 Kansas City Current 6 4 1 1 14 4 +10 13 Advance to knockout stage — 3–0 3–1 4–0
2 Racing Louisville FC 6 4 0 2 10 6 +4 12 Advance to knockout stage based on ranking 3–2 — 3–0 2–0
3 Houston Dash 6 2 0 4 4 11 −7 6 0–2 1–0 — 2–0
4 Chicago Red Stars 6 1 1 4 3 10 −7 4 0–0 0–2 3–0 —
Source: NWSL
Houston Dash0–2Kansas City Current
Report
Attendance: 4,124
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Houston Dash2–0Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 3,696
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Racing Louisville FC3–2Kansas City Current
 Report
Attendance: 4,303
Referee: Alexandra Billeter
Chicago Red Stars0–2Racing Louisville FC
Report
Attendance: 1,762
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Racing Louisville FC3–0Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 4,983
Referee: JC Griggs
Kansas City Current4–0Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 8,226
Referee: Shawn Tehini
Racing Louisville FC2–0Chicago Red Stars
 Report
Attendance: 5,499
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
Kansas City Current3–1Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 11,014
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Chicago Red Stars0–0Kansas City Current
Report
Attendance: 2,959
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Houston Dash1–0Racing Louisville FC
 Report
Referee: Gaad David Flores Ramírez
Kansas City Current3–0Racing Louisville FC
 Report
Attendance: 9,321
Referee: Jon Freemon
Chicago Red Stars3–0Houston Dash
 Report
Attendance: 3,137
Referee: Karen Callado

West Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification RGN LA POR SD
1 OL Reign 6 4 2 0 7 0 +7 14 Advance to knockout stage — 0–0 0–0 1–0
2 Angel City FC 6 2 2 2 7 8 −1 8 0–2 — 2–1 2–1
3 Portland Thorns FC 6 2 1 3 8 7 +1 7 0–1 3–2 — 4–1
4 San Diego Wave FC 6 1 1 4 4 11 −7 4 0–3 1–1 1–0 —
Source: NWSL
Angel City FC0–2OL Reign
Report
Attendance: 10,021
Referee: Anya Voigt
San Diego Wave FC1–0Portland Thorns FC
 Report
Attendance: 9,504
Referee: Brandon Stevis
OL Reign0–0Angel City FC
Report
Attendance: 5,511
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
San Diego Wave FC0–3OL Reign
Report
Attendance: 9,763
Referee: Anya Voigt
Portland Thorns FC3–2Angel City FC
 Report
Attendance: 16,429
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Portland Thorns FC0–1OL Reign
Report
Attendance: 16,252
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Portland Thorns FC4–1San Diego Wave FC
 Report
Attendance: 16,393
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
OL Reign1–0San Diego Wave FC
 Report
Attendance: 7,513
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
Angel City FC2–1Portland Thorns FC
 Report
Attendance: 13,154
Referee: Brandon Stevis
San Diego Wave FC1–1Angel City FC
 Report
Attendance: 14,408
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
OL Reign0–0Portland Thorns FC
Report
Attendance: 12,061
Referee: Mathew Corrigan

Ranking of second-placed teams[edit]

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

Pos Grp Team Pld W T L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Central Racing Louisville FC 6 4 0 2 10 6 +4 12 Advance to knockout stage
2 East NJ/NY Gotham FC 6 3 2 1 10 7 +3 11
3 West Angel City FC 6 2 2 2 7 8 −1 8
Source: NWSL

Knockout stage[edit]

In the knockout stage, the semifinals occurred on September 6 and the final took place on September 9.[1]

Bracket[edit]

Semifinals Championship
      
1 OL Reign 0
4 Racing Louisville FC 1
4 Racing Louisville FC 0
3 North Carolina Courage 2
2 Kansas City Current 0
3 North Carolina Courage 1

Semi-finals[edit]

Kansas City Current0–1North Carolina Courage
Report
Attendance: 4,590
Referee: Anya Voigt
OL Reign0–1Racing Louisville FC
Report
Attendance: 3,906
Referee: Natalie Simon

Final[edit]

Main article: 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final
North Carolina Courage2–0Racing Louisville FC
 Report
Attendance: 3,068
Referee: Alex Billeter

Notes[edit]

A.^ Match was interrupted and delayed approximately three hours by inclement weather. Attendance numbers were therefore imprecise and unreported.[11]

Statistics[edit]

Goalscorers[edit]

There were 101 goals scored in 39 matches, for an average of 2.59 goals per match.

5 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Source: NWSL

Statistics do not include penalty-shootout goals.

Discipline[edit]

A player is automatically suspended for the next match in the tournament for the following offenses:[8]

  • 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 that can't be served during the tournament will be carried over to the NWSL regular season, but suspensions as a result of indirect red cards will not.

Awards[edit]

Manaka Matsukubo was awarded the MVP of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final match,[12] and Kristen Hamilton was named the overall MVP of the tournament.[13]

Named to the All-Tournament team:[14][15]

Pos. Player Club
GK United States Katie Lund Racing Louiville FC
DF United States Malia Berkely North Carolina Courage
New Zealand Abby Erceg Racing Louiville FC
United States Shae Holmes OL Reign
United States Jenna Nighswonger NJ/NY Gotham FC
MF Brazil Debinha Kansas City Current
United States Savannah DeMelo Racing Louiville FC
United States Jaelin Howell Racing Louiville FC
FW United States Kristen Hamilton Kansas City Current
United States Brittany Ratcliffe North Carolina Courage

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "NWSL Announces 2023 Season Schedule Footprint". National Women's Soccer League. November 17, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  2. ^ Herrera, Sandra (November 17, 2022). "NWSL: Key dates to know for 2023 including opening day, Challenge Cup, championship and more". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Megdal, Howard (November 17, 2022). "What We Know About The 2023 NWSL Season". Forbes. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Yanchulis, Kate (November 17, 2022). "NWSL Challenge Cup will take place in-season after scheduling, injury concerns". Just Women's Sports.
  5. ^ "NWSL Challenge Cup to run concurrently with season". SportBusiness Media. November 17, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Yang, Steph (April 13, 2023). "NWSL sponsor ups Challenge Cup prize pool to $1 million in pay equity effort". The Athletic. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  7. ^ "UKG's NWSL Challenge Cup sponsorship brings pay parity to the pitch". May 10, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e "2023 NWSL Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations" (PDF). National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "NWSL Announces June 7 Match Between NJ/NY Gotham FC And Orlando Pride Postponed Due To Poor Air Quality Conditions" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Swartz, Gabe (July 14, 2023). "KC Current, NWSL announce date change for Challenge Cup match". KCTV. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Herrera, Sandra (September 9, 2023). "North Carolina vs. Racing Louisville score: Courage win second straight NWSL Challenge Cup after long delay". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Cattry, Pardeep (September 10, 2023). "Manaka Matsukubo a 'star in the making' for North Carolina Courage after NWSL Challenge Cup win". CBS Sports.
  13. ^ Munson, Bella (September 7, 2023). "Kristen Hamilton named Challenge Cup MVP – Equalizer Soccer". The Equalizer.
  14. ^ "Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton named UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Tournament MVP, presented by Bud Light - Kansas City Current". Kansas City Current. September 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "Thorns FC's Morgan Weaver named to 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team". Portland Thorns FC.

External links[edit]

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