In the second to last UKG NWSL Challenge Cup match week, the postseason picture has begun to unfold with OL Reign clinching the West Division.
NWSL Challenge Cup West Division news: Balcer nets penalty at home against San Diego as OL Reign secure the first playoff berth, McCaskill scores two in ACFC win
OL Reign vs. San Diego Wave — 1-0, OL Reign
For the first time since June 28, OL Reign took the pitch in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. Having not lost a single cup contest so far in 2023, Laura Harvey's side had a chance to punch the first ticket to the Challenge Cup semifinals.
The Seattle side seeks its first-ever Challenge Cup final after losing to Washington Spirit on penalties in the 2022 semifinals despite going unbeaten in the group stage. It took until the 71′ for the home team to find the breakthrough, but at the end of the day, next week will feature a lot less stress. Though the top seed in the cup playoffs is still up for grabs, the defending NWSL Shield winners will be able to rotate even more against Portland at home once again.
Captain Bethany Balcer netted her sixth goal of the campaign across all competitions in just 15 starts. Substitute Ryanne Brown earned the spot kick just six minutes after coming on for Olivia Athens. Balcer calming took the penalty, smashing it past Shae Yanez into the top right corner of the net.
The defeat for San Diego extends its winless streak to eight contests across both competitions. Not only did the striker find the back of the net for the third time in the club's last five matches, the Reign pitched together its fifth consecutive clean sheet in the Challenge Cup.
Harvey's team has not allowed a single goal in this newly formatted cup tournament. Regular seasons and group stages have never been a problem for the Washington outfit. Finishing the job has. In what is now Megan Rapinoe's last season, the Reign head into the final four of the Challenge Cup with extra motivation.
Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns— 2-1, Angel City
In miraculous fashion at BMO Stadium, Becki Tweed's Angel City FC are still alive for a semifinal berth. The in-form southern California side wasted no time in front of its home fans. Right-wing back Jasmyne Spencer delivered an absolute peach of a ball into the box in a place where only Savannah McCaskill could get her head onto it.
It was an extremely back-and-forth affair for the rest of the half until the Thorns pieced together a brilliant equalizer that started all the way in the backline. Hannah Betfort's sensational turn was the catalyst as she and Natalia Kuikka combined to set up Morgan Weaver to slot it past goalkeeper Angelina Anderson.
With the goal just before halftime, the momentum could have very well shifted in the favor of Portland. Scarlett Camberos set up her team just outside the box to erase the equalizer minutes before the whistle for the end of 45 minutes. McCaskill made no mistake again. A stunning free-kick put the Thorns behind the eight-ball once again. It was her fourth goal of the campaign, and third in her last two contests.
The final stages of the second half were all about the rookie goalkeeper Anderson. The former 27th overall selection in the 2023 NWSL Draft made five saves from the 84′ through the conclusion of stoppage time. The University of California product saved a spot kick by Olivia Moultrie, diving to her right to keep the Los Angeles outfit in the conversation for a top-four spot going into the sixth Challenge Cup match week.
At the age of 22, in her first start professionally, Anderson looked right at home. This match just continues ACFC's positive run of form heading into August. With former captain of the French national team Amandine Henry making the bench for the first time, it is only going to go up from here.
NWSL Challenge Cup East Division news: Washington Spirit shock NJ/NY Gotham FC after weather delay, Courage continue top form
Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC — 4-2, Washington Spirit
After eight minutes, one team looked to be running away with it, and it was not the home side.
USWNT Margaret Purce was involved in two goals for Gotham to open up the game as her assist and finish had Juan Carlos Amorós' side inching closer to a Challenge Cup playoff game. Coming off a 6-0 defeat in North Carolina last weekend, it did not look likely that this Washington side could mount a comeback. With much more time to refocus compared to last week, Washington demonstrated immense resilience.
With Ashley Hatch leading the way in the frontline, the Spirit netted four unanswered goals from the 25′ on to win their second Challenge Cup contest. In the 43′ play was paused due to severe weather, and with the team down by a goal, it gave the home side time to regroup. Washington came out of that dressing room much more connected than the majority of the first 45 minutes.
The USWNT international forward, Hatch became the first player in the franchise's history with a two-goal, one-assist display. She was involved in the build-up to every goal, earning the hockey assist just 10 minutes after halftime as her team converted the equalizer. With the help of Ellie Jean, Hatch put Washington in front.
While the striker was a massive talking point, 16-year-old Chole Ricketts made history. Ricketts' calm left-footed finish put the icing on the cake for Washington and made her the youngest goal scorer in the history of the league. During her time in the NWSL so far, No. 39 has not shied away from anything. Ricketts, who was instrumental all night for the Spirit finally was given the award she deserved, her first professional goal.
North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride — 5-0, North Carolina Courage
Nobody puts their foot on the gas pedal quite like the Courage. After the first few minutes, Seb Hines' Orlando Pride stood no chance. The culture of this club is defined by winning, and these are displays that highlight just that. Sean Nahas' North Carolina side thumped another East Division foe by five or more goals. Rookie Haley Hopkins netted two for NC as the team heads into the final week of full Challenge Cup action with four more goals than any other club during this cup tournament.
Everyone on the team made an impact including Brittany Ratcliffe, Sarah Clark, and Olivia Wingate off the bench. Ratcliffe began the onslaught, finding the back of the net to get things started, and drawing a penalty which led to the second. Clark and Wingate meanwhile earned the final two assists of the match, firing in a scintillating ball into the box just asking to be finished.
This group of players, even when it is missing world-class talents looks so connected in the build-up from the back. It is almost as if the Courage players know exactly where each other is going to be. It is just exceptional soccer. With a victory next week against Gotham, North Carolina will be the Eastern Division's top representative in the Challenge Cup semifinals. Nobody has yet to defend a Challenge Cup title, but as it looks right now, the Courage are very well on track to do just that.
NWSL Challenge Cup Central Division news: Bottom-of-division teams earn results, but Racing still clinch while Current edge closer to semifinals
Houston Dash vs. Racing Louisville — 1-0, Houston Dash
For the first time during this Challenge Cup campaign, Racing Louisville dropped points. Ebony Salmon's right-footed finish in the 26′ failed to have any meaning when it came to the semifinal participants. Despite that, it without a doubt has some significance mentally for Houston Dash.
Salmon's goal against her former club was Houston's second goal in the last seven games. Sam Laity's side desperately needed this, and with the team just three points out of the NWSL playoffs, these are moments that can flip the page for a team going through some sort of struggle.
The Texas outfit was winless in its previous seven heading into this fixture at home against Racing. Lauren Milliet beat Jane Campbell in the second half, but it was ruled offside. Danish legend Nadia Nadim came off the bench to make an instant impact, and if it was not for Campbell, this match could have concluded in a 1-1 draw.
It was the end of a streak of three straight contests of two or more goals for Louisville, a team that has numerous players starring for their nations in the World Cup. Washington and Angel City helped out Racing by scoring multiple goals and defeating Gotham FC and Portland in their respective matchups.
The Kentucky side encounters Kansas City this upcoming weekend at Children's Mercy Park in a match that will decide the Central Division champion. Last time the two encountered one another, Racing outshot Caroline Sjöblom's side 27 to six in a 2-0 victory which included a world-class strike by Paige Monaghan.
Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Red Stars — Scoreless draw
Both goalkeepers in this match had quality outings. Emily Boyd for Chicago Red Stars saved a Lo'eau LaBonta penalty in the 24′ in addition to a stunning denial of Kristen Hamilton's shot from close range. In her third match starting between the posts for Kansas City, Adrianna Franch registered her first clean sheet after two impressive outings including an eight-save performance against Racing. Franch had three stops on the night with the save in the 68′ of Sarah Griffith's shot being the best of the bunch.
Though KC is still in the driver's seat when it comes to second-place teams, Gotham FC having two matches remaining could be a deciding factor. LaBonta had the opportunity to almost sure up her side's presence in the semifinals, but ultimately came up short. Last season, Matt Potter's Current won the Central Division on 13 points but were ousted by the eventual winners, North Carolina Courage. Racing vs. KC Current this Saturday at 8:00 pm EST is going to be must-watch TV.
Tune in to the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup this week to see how the semifinal matchups shake out. The semifinals are on September 6, 2023, on CBS Sports, and Paramount+.