The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup kicked off on Friday, March 18 as the National Women’s Soccer League prepares to officially begin its regular season on April 29, marking the 10th anniversary of the league.
The third iteration of the Challenge Cup, which was first played in the summer of 2020, features three groups of four teams: the East Region, comprised of NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit; the Central Region, which features the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current and Racing Louisville FC; and the West Region, made up of Angel City FC, OL Reign, Portland Thorns FC and San Diego Wave FC. The groups will compete in a double round-robin format with the group winners and the top second-place team advancing to the semifinals on May 4.
The first weekend of action began with a 1-1 draw between Racing Louisville and the KC Current, followed by a 1-1 draw between Cascadia rivals, OL Reign and Portland Thorns. USWNT and OL Reign defender Sofia Huerta scored the first goal of Challenge Cup with a blistering first-time strike in the 19th minute to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead at Lumen Field.
WATCH: Huerta Scores Screamer for Reign
The action continued on Saturday, March 19, with three more matches. The defending NWSL Champions Washington Spirit played the Orlando Pride to a 0-0 draw on the road while North Carolina picked up the first win of the 2022 Challenge Cup, beating NJ/NY Gotham FC, 2-0. Angel City and San Diego Wave played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening in the first official match for the two debutant clubs.
The first weekend of play came to a close on Sunday evening as 2021 NWSL Finalists Chicago Red Stars beat the Houston Dash, 3-1, on the road. USWNT forward Mallory Pugh netted a brace for Chicago in the victory, scoring in both the 27th and 60th minutes as the Red Stars erased an early 1-0 deficit.
WATCH: Pugh Scores Twice in Road Victory
Across the Atlantic, USWNT midfielder Catarina Macario tallied a brace of her own, helping Olympique Lyon to a 3-0 win over Dijon in league play. With goals in the ninth and 35th minutes, Macario now has 11 league goals on the season, good for second on Lyon’s roster.
WATCH: Macario Completes Brace with Brilliant Strike
Information on upcoming matches featuring U.S. Women’s National Team players can be found below. All times listed are ET.
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Wednesday, March 23 |
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Juventus vs. Olympique Lyonnais |
UWCL - Quarterfinal |
1:45 p.m. |
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Arsenal vs. Wolfsburg |
UWCL - Quarterfinal |
4:00 p.m. |
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Friday, March 25 |
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Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
7:30 p.m. |
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Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
7:30 p.m. |
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Chicago Red Stars vs. Kansas City Current |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
8:30 p.m. |
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Saturday, March 26 |
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Arsenal vs. Tottenham (POSTPONED) |
FA WSL |
10:15 a.m. |
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Angel City vs. OL Reign |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
4:00 p.m. |
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North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
7:00 p.m. |
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San Diego Wave vs. Portland Thorns |
NWSL Challenge Cup |
10:00 p.m. |
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