NWSL Challenge Cup Central Division news: Monaghan scores again as Louisville remain unbeaten, Hamilton hits hat trick for Current

Racing Louisville vs. Chicago Red Stars

2-0 Racing Louisville

Even without some of their most important players going forward, Racing Louisville overwhelmed a sinking Chicago Red Stars side in the club's fourth UKG Challenge Cup contest. The home team netted two goals in eight minutes in the first half to remain the only club in this year's cup competitions without dropping a single point. Overall, the Kentucky side is unbeaten in eight out of its last nine matches across all competitions.

Chris Petrucelli and the Red Stars are now on the opposite end of the spectrum with four losses in as many cup games. Racing's No. 5, Paige Monaghan continues her tear. The former Gotham FC player's strike in the 19′ past Emily Boyd extends her goal streak to three consecutive matches. Not only did she have a goal, Monaghan had the most shots on target of anybody that contributed within the 90 minutes. In her fifth start for the leaders in the Central Division of the Challenge Cup, Jordan Baggett found the back of the net for the second time in purple to get things going.

At the center of the Racing midfield, Jaelin Howell was once again the disruptor this team values immensely. At times she makes careless fouls in the midfield, and it was not different against Chicago. That is simply part of the way she plays. Howell amassed eight tackles plus interceptions, completed over 89 percent of her passes, and led the team along with Lauren Milliet in final third entries. You can't ask much more from your No. 6. Savannah DeMelo is down under representing the United States while Howell is quietly putting herself back into the conversation for another call-up.

Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash

3-1 Kansas City Current

In case anybody forgot about the talent of Kristen Hamilton in the final third, Saturday, July 22 was a reminder. After Houston Dash broke through in the first 20 minutes of the tie, Hamilton netted three unanswered goals including two in first half stoppage time to maintain the pressure on Racing at the top of the Central Division.

The veteran attacker could be the answer to the mid-west side moving up in the league table. Without Debinha, KC has now won three out of its last four in both the league and cup. It was the first-ever hat trick in the history of the Challenge Cup. The NWSL table may say this side is in 12th, but it would not be shocking to see this club rise several positions when league play resumes. Hamilton alone had the same amount of shots on goal as the Dash.

Hamilton's three-goal display puts her one hat trick behind Sam Kerr for the first in NWSL history including Challenge Cup. Currently, the former Courage forward is knotted with Canadian legend Christine Sinclair in that category. An electric turn on the right flank by Michelle Cooper set it all in motion. Houston never learned its lesson. The 31-year-old Colorado native was given far too much space to maneuver in the penalty on all three occasions in which she found the back of the net. Even with North Carolina scoring six goals this weekend at home, KC leads the pack in the goal-scoring department so far in the Challenge Cup.

NWSL Challenge Cup West Division news: Betfort, and Thorns pound San Diego at Providence Park to move four points from top

Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave

4-1 Portland Thorns

Heading into this Challenge Cup match after an extended break, it was difficult to predict what Mike Norris' Portland Thorns were going to do. They had lost three straight across all competitions, finding the back of the net once. It looked like the wake-up call the defending champions needed. If this team wanted a chance at making it into the Challenge Cup semifinals, this was a match where the Thorns needed all three points. OL Reign hold the top spot in the West Division with a 3-1-0 record. Casey Stoney's side grew into the game after Hannah Betfort scored in the first 10 minutes.

Behind an incredible Bella Bixby save, and a little bit of luck, Portland held a one-goal advantage at the end of 45 minutes. Nearly 50 percent of the Thorns shots forced Shae Yanez into action. That was the difference. Betfort had two goals and an assist for the home side, putting the ball in the back of the net for the second straight match. It was her first multi-goal game of her NWSL career. In 72 minutes between the white lines, Portland's No. 33 was making unselfish passes in the box, and forcefully driving the ball into the top corner with her head.

Taylor Kornieck's height earned San Diego a goal in the 81′, but it was way too late. The Thorns attacked looked revitalized after this break. Portland got the ball out on the flank, and was purposeful in its forward play. Somebody had to step up considering the amount of losses this club has experienced since the camps pre-World Cup commenced. In a critical Challenge Cup fixture in front of the home fans, it was Betfort who delivered in the most important area of the pitch.

NWSL Challenge Cup East Division news: Courage thrash Washington Spirit at home, Two goals in two minutes lift Gotham to one point behind NC

North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit

6-0 North Carolina Courage

Absolutely clinical. That pretty much sums up North Carolina Courage's performance at home in week four of the Challenge Cup. It was the fourth time in 2023 that Sean Nahas' team accumulated three or more goals in a single match. Neither team could muster up a goal in the first 60 minutes, but in the 61′, it became a complete clinic for North Carolina. Six different players combined for six goals in the span of just 22 minutes for the hottest team in the entire NWSL. Brittany Ratcliffe's ankle-breaking goal was just the beginning. There were no answers for the Spirit during that stretch as NC continuously got the ball wide into and into dangerous areas inside the 18-yard box.

There was a left-footed screamer, an outside-the-foot world-class through ball, and a stunning rocket by Brianna Pinto. When many thought it could not get worse for Washington after Pinto's goal, Narumi Miura put the cherry on the top of the cake. Despite the 12 shots, Washington would have looked lifeless going forward if it was not for Ashley Hatch's presence up top. No Denise O'Sullivan, no Emily Fox, no Kerolin, no problem. The Courage are flying as they sit atop the East Division, and the NWSL table nearing the end of July.

NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Orlando Pride

3-1 NJ/NY Gotham FC

After the Courage's display on Saturday, Juan Carlos Amorós' Gotham FC needed to respond. It was not a six-goal outing, but the New York/New Jersey outfit got the job done. Behind talented rookie Jenna Nighswonger, and numerous dangerous attackers for Gotham, the away side in week four remained one of four teams without a loss in Challenge Cup play. Nighswonger has to be in consideration as one of the most undroppable players on this team right now. She had a goal, and an assist, led her team in total progressive passes, and tackles plus interceptions. The former Florida State midfielder is far and away one of the top Rookie of the Year candidates. She was technically playing left-back on Sunday evening, but that in no way affected Nighswonger's contribution to the attack.

Megan Oyster converted in front of the Orlando crowd for the game's first breakthrough, but it seemed like only a matter of time before Gotham's creativity up top would pay dividends. Margaret Purce, who was once again magnificent on the flank for Amorós' team earned the penalty to draw her side even in the first half. McCall Zerboni's stunning goal from way outside the box was the highlight of the contest as that gave Gotham the lead the rest of the way. Two minutes later, Zerboni combined with Yazmeen Ryan in the tight space at the top of the box to put the stamp on Gotham's second cup victory in 2023.