There is a long wait this week for NWSL soccer. Coming off an eventual week 18, the league transitions to two win-or-go-home fixtures in the fourth-ever Challenge Cup. The competition began with 12 teams on April 19. After five months of thrilling group stage action, the semifinals are here.
Enjoy the last three contests of the Challenge Cup because this is it. Well, at least for now. Confirmed by The Equalizer a few weeks ago, the NWSL is going to pivot to a one-off game between the Shield winners and league champions to kick off the campaign.
The rules for the final three contests are not much different than what fans saw throughout the group stage. No extra time will be played. If there is a draw, the contest will go straight to a penalty shoot-out. A five minute break will be provided to the teams between the conclusion of 90 minutes and the beginning of the spot kicks. It took 17 penalty kicks last year to decide one half of the final as Washington Spirit outlasted this season's No. 1 seed OL Reign in the nation's capital.
Three group winners, and the club outside of those three with the most points compete for a prize that will be given out for the first time. A more substantial cut of the historic prize pool of $1.1 million is up for grabs on top of the cup itself. Only one of the clubs left has reached the pinnacle of this competition, making this anybody's game.
Here is a look at both matchups and what to expect with just two spots available in what is going to be the last Challenge Cup final for now.
Previewing the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinals
No. 1 seed: OL Reign vs. No. 4 seed: Racing Louisville
Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 10:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
No team is riding more of a high coming off week 18 than Racing Louisville. While OL Reign edged a 10-player Orlando Pride side, the Kentucky outfit came back down by a goal against the top-seeded Portland Thorns at the half. Racing netted two goals within a four-minute span to pull out all three points for just the fifth time all regular season. Thembi Kgatlana's brilliant composure and footwork at the top of the box allowed her to find the space within Portland's defense to execute the eventual game-winner. If anybody in the league is going to score against the Seattle side for the first time in the Challenge Cup this season, the South African would be at the top of the list.
Even though Racing has to travel to the northwest corner of the United States for a mid-week match, that is exactly what the doctor ordered ahead of a knockout contest. Without Savannah DeMelo, Jaelin Howell, and Nadia Nadim, the purple and black earned a well-deserved triumph at home. DeMelo should be back for the mid-week fixture after missing out against the Thorns due to card accumulation.
That battle in the midfield that consists of DeMelo, Jess Fishlock, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett among others is an intriguing watch. Lavelle is going to be at the center of everything the Seattle side does. The USWNT star has been brilliant in her two matches since returning from the World Cup.
It will be the first time Racing has reached this stage of the competition, having combined for just one victory in the last two cup tournaments. On the flip side, OL Reign aim to progress to its first-ever NWSL Challenge Cup final. Similar to the No. 2 seed Kansas City Current, there will be no need to travel after its regular weekend league fixture.
Lumen Field is an extremely tough place to earn a result, especially at the end of a campaign. Lavelle and the Reign may be the favorites, but it is difficult to bet against a team that pulled out a victory over the defending champions days prior.
Prediction: OL Reign 1-1 Racing Louisville (LOU wins on penalties 4-3)
No. 2 seed: Kansas City Current vs. No. 3 seed: North Carolina Courage
Date: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. EST
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
It is like Déjà vu from last season. The same two clubs in Kansas City fight for an identical award as they did in this competition in 2022. With Debinha, and Diana Ordóñez leading the charge, North Carolina Courage took down the Current in KC 2-1 en route to an eventual Challenge Cup title. Since that match on May 4, 2022, a whole lot has transpired.
The Brazilian superstar will be donning the teal and red instead of the white and blue of NC. Sean Nahas' side made it in as the three seed on the final match week via a NJ/NY Gotham FC 1-1 draw against Orlando. Caroline Sjöblom's Current overcame Racing to take the Central Division, scoring six goals in the final three group stage contests to seal home field in the semifinals.
KC's striker Kristen Hamilton leads all scorers by two goals in the Challenge Cup so far. The danger does not stop at the two former Courage attackers. Cece Kizer and Michelle Cooper are both capable of converting a chance when their number is called. Malia Berkely and Kaleigh Kurtz are going to need to be dialed in through 90 minutes in the middle of NC's back four considering the individual threats the Current possess.
These clubs have split the season series with the Current taking the leg at Children's Mercy Park behind an early Hamilton goal. Neither side is in the prolific of forms right now. The Courage blew a two-goal lead twice last week to Gotham while KC fell to the bottom of the table following a defeat to Angel City FC.
Sjöblom's Current may have Debinha this time around, but it just seems far more likely that NC can control the match through 90 minutes against a reeling KC team. Nahas' side has not won a game since July 29. Behind a coach who has a history of success in this tournament, that streak should conclude on Wednesday evening.
Prediction: Kansas City Current 0-1 North Carolina Courage
The winners of each contest will meet in the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Championship on Saturday, September 9, at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Coverage for fans throughout these matches outside the United States will be on Watch.NWSLSoccer.com.