2023 NWSL Challenge Cup
{{short description|Fourth edition of top women's soccer league cup in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football tournament season
| title = NWSL Challenge Cup
| year = 2023
| other_titles = 2023 UKG National Women's Soccer League Challenge Cup
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| country = United States
| dates = {{nowrap|April 19 – September 9}}
| venue =
| num_teams = 12
| defending_champions = North Carolina Courage
| winners = North Carolina Courage
| count = 2
| second = Racing Louisville FC
| matches = 39
| goals = 101
| attendance =
| scoring_leader = Kristen Hamilton
(5 goals)
| award_title = MVP
| award = Kristen Hamilton
| prev_season = 2022
| next_season = 2024
| updated = September 9, 2023
}}
File:2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final, 594.jpg 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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-2023-season-schedule-footprint |title=NWSL Announces 2023 Season Schedule Footprint |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |date=November 17, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2023}} was a league cup competition that took place during the 2023 National Women's Soccer League season.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsl-key-dates-to-know-for-2023-including-opening-day-challenge-cup-championship-and-more/ |title=NWSL: Key dates to know for 2023 including opening day, Challenge Cup, championship and more |work=CBS Sports |date=November 17, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |first=Sandra |last=Herrera}}{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardmegdal/2022/11/17/what-we-know-about-the-2023-nwsl-season/|title=What We Know About The 2023 NWSL Season |first=Howard |last=Megdal |work=Forbes |date=November 17, 2022 |access-date=April 17, 2023}} It was 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.{{Cite web|url=https://justwomenssports.com/nwsl-challenge-cup-regular-season-schedule-2023/|title=NWSL Challenge Cup will take place in-season after scheduling, injury concerns|first=Kate|last=Yanchulis|date=November 17, 2022|website=Just Women's Sports}}{{Cite web|url=https://media.sportbusiness.com/news/nwsl-challenge-cup-to-run-concurrently-with-season/|title=NWSL Challenge Cup to run concurrently with season|date=November 17, 2022|website=SportBusiness Media}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/4407052/2023/04/13/nwsl-challenge-cup-prize-money/ |title=NWSL sponsor ups Challenge Cup prize pool to $1 million in pay equity effort |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |work=The Athletic |first=Steph |last=Yang}}{{Cite web|url=https://fansided.com/2022/05/10/ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup-parity/|title=UKG's NWSL Challenge Cup sponsorship brings pay parity to the pitch|date=May 10, 2022}}
The North Carolina Courage defeated the Racing Louisville FC 2–0 in the final.
Format
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. 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/documents/2023/4/17/Exhibit_A_2023_Challenge_Cup_Guidelines.pdf |title=2023 NWSL Challenge Cup Rules and Regulations |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420121824/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/documents/2023/4/17/Exhibit_A_2023_Challenge_Cup_Guidelines.pdf |url-status=dead }} Matches did not have extra-time periods, and semifinal and final matches drawn during regulation proceeded directly to kicks from the penalty mark.
= Prize money =
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.
= Tiebreakers =
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:
- Greatest goal difference across all group stage matches.
- Most goals scored across all group stage matches.
- Direct head-to-head points record with teams involved in the tie.
- Direct head-to-head goal difference in matches between teams involved in the tie.
- Direct head-to-head number of goals scored in matches between teams involved in the tie.
- 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:
- {{yel}} yellow card: 1 point;
- {{sent off|2}} indirect red card (as a result of two yellow cards): 3 points;
- {{sent off|0}} direct red card: 4 points;
- {{sent off|1}} yellow card and direct red card: 5 points.
- 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.
Group stage
= East Division =
|show_matches=yes
|section=East Division
|source=[https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings NWSL]
|team_order=NC, NJY, WAS, ORL
|result1=KO |result2=
|update=complete
|win_NC=3 |draw_NC=2 |loss_NC=1 |gf_NC=15 |ga_NC=5 |status_NC=
|win_NJY=3 |draw_NJY=2 |loss_NJY=1 |gf_NJY=10|ga_NJY=7 |status_NJY=
|win_ORL=0 |draw_ORL=2 |loss_ORL=4 |gf_ORL=5 |ga_ORL=15|status_ORL=
|win_WAS=3 |draw_WAS=0 |loss_WAS=3 |gf_WAS=10|ga_WAS=13|status_WAS=
|name_NC = North Carolina Courage
|name_NJY = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|name_ORL = Orlando Pride
|name_WAS = Washington Spirit
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knockout stage
|col_2nd=blue1 |text_2nd={{nowrap|Advance to knockout stage based on ranking}}
|match_NC_NJY= 1–1
|match_NC_ORL= 0–0
|match_NC_WAS= 6–0
|match_NJY_NC= 2–0
|match_NJY_ORL= 1–1
|match_NJY_WAS= 1–0
|match_ORL_NC= 1–1
|match_ORL_NJY= 1–3
|match_ORL_WAS= 0–1
|match_WAS_NC= 1–2
|match_WAS_NJY= 4-2
|match_WAS_ORL= 4–2
}}
{{football box
|id = ORL v NC
|date = April 19
|team1 = Orlando Pride
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 1–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/orlando-pride-vs-north-carolina-courage-2023-04-19/stats
|team2 = North Carolina Courage
|goals1 =
- Watt {{goal|56}}
|goals2 =
- O'Sullivan {{goal|90+9}}
|stadium = Exploria Stadium
|location = Orlando, Florida
|attendance = 3,139
|referee = Gabriele Giusti
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NJY v WAS
|date = April 19
|team1 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|time = 17:30 ET
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/nj-ny-gotham-fc-vs-washington-spirit-2023-04-19/stats
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 =
- Williams {{goal|56}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Red Bull Arena
|location = Harrison, New Jersey
|attendance = 7,543
|referee = Shawn Tehini
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NC v NJY
|date = May 3
|team1 = North Carolina Courage
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 1–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-nj-ny-gotham-fc-2023-05-03/stats
|team2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|goals1 =
- Gejl {{goal|3}}
|goals2 =
- Williams {{goal|74}}
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park
|location = Cary, North Carolina
|attendance = 2,761
|referee = Joshua Encarnación
}}
----
{{football box
|id = WAS v ORL
|date = May 10
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|time = 19:30 ET
|score = 4–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-orlando-pride-2023-05-10/stats
|team2 = Orlando Pride
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Audi Field
|location = DC
|attendance = 4,991
|referee = Joshua Encarnación
}}
----
{{football box
|id = WAS v NC
|date = June 14
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|time = 19:30 ET
|score = 1–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-north-carolina-courage-2023-06-14/stats
|team2 = North Carolina Courage
|goals1 =
- McKeown {{goal|54}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Audi Field
|location = DC
|attendance = 5,778
|referee = Mathew Corrigan
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NC v WAS
|date = July 22
|team1 = North Carolina Courage
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 6–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-washington-spirit-2023-07-22/stats
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 =
- Ratcliffe {{goal|61}}
- Tagliaferri {{goal|65}}
- Wingate {{goal|70}}
- Boade {{goal|72}}
- Pinto {{goal|80}}
- Miura {{goal|83}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park
|location = Cary, North Carolina
|attendance = 4,063
|referee = Thomas Snyder
}}
----
{{football box
|id = ORL v NJY
|date = July 23
|team1 = Orlando Pride
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 1–3
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/orlando-pride-vs-nj-ny-gotham-fc-2023-07-23/stats
|team2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|goals1 =
- Montefusco {{goal|9}}
|goals2 =
- Nighswonger {{goal|35|pen.}}
- Zerboni {{goal|55}}
- Ryan {{goal|57}}
|stadium = Exploria Stadium
|location = Orlando, Florida
|attendance = 4,051
|referee = Shawn Tehini
}}
----
{{football box
|id = WAS v NJY
|date = July 28
|team1 = Washington Spirit
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 4–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/washington-spirit-vs-nj-ny-gotham-fc-2023-07-28/stats
|team2 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Purce {{goal|4}}
- Nighswonger {{goal|8}}
|stadium = Audi Field
|location = DC
|attendance = 4,732
|referee = Danielle Chesky
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NC v ORL
|date = July 29
|team1 = North Carolina Courage
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 5–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/north-carolina-courage-vs-orlando-pride-2023-07-29/stats
|team2 = Orlando Pride
|goals1 =
- Ratcliffe {{goal|17}}
- Berkely {{goal|38}}
- Tagliaferri {{goal|48}}
- Hopkins {{goal|78||89}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = WakeMed Soccer Park
|location = Cary, North Carolina
|attendance = 3,543
|referee = Greg Dopka
}}
----
{{football box
|id = ORL v WAS
|date = August 4
|team1 = Orlando Pride
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/orlando-pride-vs-washington-spirit-2023-08-04/stats
|team2 = Washington Spirit
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Speckmaier {{goal|90+8}}
|stadium = Exploria Stadium
|location = Orlando, Florida
|attendance = 3,661
|referee = Brad Jensen
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NJY v NC
|date = August 5
|team1 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|time = 19:30 ET
|score = 2–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/nj-ny-gotham-fc-vs-north-carolina-courage-2023-08-05/stats
|team2 = North Carolina Courage
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Red Bull Arena
|location = Harrison, New Jersey
|attendance = 3,004
|referee = Elvis Osmanovic
}}
----
{{football box
|id = NJY v ORL
|date = August 9
|team1 = NJ/NY Gotham FC
|time = 19:30 ET
|score = 1–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/nj-ny-gotham-fc-vs-orlando-pride-2023-08-09/stats
|team2 = Orlando Pride
|goals1 =
- Shim {{goal|90+2}}
|goals2 =
- Bright {{goal|34}}
|stadium = Red Bull Arena
|location = Harrison, New Jersey
|attendance = 2,038
|referee = Jeremy Scheer
}}
= Central Division =
|show_matches=yes
|section=Central Division
|source=[https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings NWSL]
|team_order=KC, LOU, HOU, CHI
|result1=KO |result2=2nd
|update=complete
|win_CHI=1 |draw_CHI=1 |loss_CHI=4 |gf_CHI=3 |ga_CHI=10|status_CHI=
|win_HOU=2 |draw_HOU=0 |loss_HOU=4 |gf_HOU=4 |ga_HOU=11|status_HOU=
|win_KC=4 |draw_KC=1 |loss_KC=1 |gf_KC=14 |ga_KC=4 |status_KC=
|win_LOU=4 |draw_LOU=0 |loss_LOU=2 |gf_LOU=10|ga_LOU=6 |status_LOU=
|name_CHI = Chicago Red Stars
|name_HOU = Houston Dash
|name_KC = Kansas City Current
|name_LOU = Racing Louisville FC
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knockout stage
|col_2nd=blue1 |text_2nd={{nowrap|Advance to knockout stage based on ranking}}
|match_CHI_HOU= 3–0
|match_CHI_KC= 0–0
|match_CHI_LOU= 0–2
|match_HOU_CHI= 2–0
|match_HOU_KC= 0–2
|match_HOU_LOU= 1-0
|match_KC_CHI= 4–0
|match_KC_HOU= 3–1
|match_KC_LOU= 3–0
|match_LOU_CHI= 2–0
|match_LOU_HOU= 3–0
|match_LOU_KC= 3–2
}}
{{football box
|id = HOU v KC
|date = April 19
|team1 = Houston Dash
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 0–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/houston-dash-vs-kansas-city-current-2023-04-19/stats
|team2 = Kansas City Current
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Shell Energy Stadium
|location = Houston, Texas
|attendance = 4,124
|referee = Laura Rodriguez
}}
----
{{football box
|id = HOU v CHI
|date = May 3
|team1 = Houston Dash
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 2–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/houston-dash-vs-chicago-red-stars-2023-05-03/stats
|team2 = Chicago Red Stars
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Shell Energy Stadium
|location = Houston, Texas
|attendance = 3,696
|referee = Adorae Monroy
}}
----
{{football box
|id = LOU v KC
|date = May 17
|team1 = Racing Louisville FC
|time = 19:30 ET
|score = 3–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/racing-louisville-fc-vs-kansas-city-current-2023-05-17/stats
|team2 = Kansas City Current
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lynn Family Stadium
|location = Louisville, Kentucky
|attendance = 4,303
|referee = Alexandra Billeter
}}
----
{{football box
|id = CHI v LOU
|date = May 31
|team1 = Chicago Red Stars
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 0–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/chicago-red-stars-vs-racing-louisville-fc-2023-05-31/stats
|team2 = Racing Louisville FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = SeatGeek Stadium
|location = Bridgeview, Illinois
|attendance = 1,762
|referee = Laura Rodriguez
}}
----
{{football box
|id = LOU v HOU
|date = June 14
|team1 = Racing Louisville FC
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/racing-louisville-fc-vs-houston-dash-2023-06-14/stats
|team2 = Houston Dash
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lynn Family Stadium
|location = Louisville, Kentucky
|attendance = 4,983
|referee = JC Griggs
}}
----
{{football box
|id = KC v CHI
|date = June 14
|team1 = Kansas City Current
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 4–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/kansas-city-current-vs-chicago-red-stars-2023-06-14/stats
|team2 = Chicago Red Stars
|goals1 =
- Debinha {{goal|54||70}}
- DiBernardo {{goal|60}}
- Kizer {{goal|62}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Children's Mercy Park
|location = Kansas City, Kansas
|attendance = 8,226
|referee = Shawn Tehini
}}
----
{{football box
|id = LOU v CHI
|date = July 21
|team1 = Racing Louisville FC
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 2–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/racing-louisville-fc-vs-chicago-red-stars-2023-07-21/stats
|team2 = Chicago Red Stars
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lynn Family Stadium
|location = Louisville, Kentucky
|attendance = 5,499
|referee = Nabil Bensalah
}}
----
{{football box
|id = KC v HOU
|date = July 22
|team1 = Kansas City Current
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 3–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/kansas-city-current-vs-houston-dash-2023-07-22/stats
|team2 = Houston Dash
|goals1 =
- Hamilton {{goal|45+1||45+4||68}}
|goals2 =
- Desiano {{goal|17}}
|stadium = Children's Mercy Park
|location = Kansas City, Kansas
|attendance = 11,014
|referee = Laura Rodriguez
}}
----
{{football box
|id = CHI v KC
|date = July 29
|team1 = Chicago Red Stars
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 0–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/chicago-red-stars-vs-kansas-city-current-2023-07-29/stats
|team2 = Kansas City Current
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = SeatGeek Stadium
|location = Bridgeview, Illinois
|attendance = 2,959
|referee = Abdou Ndiaye
}}
----
{{football box
|id = HOU v LOU
|date = July 29
|team1 = Houston Dash
|time = 20:30 ET
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/houston-dash-vs-racing-louisville-fc-2023-07-29/stats
|team2 = Racing Louisville FC
|goals1 =
- Salmon {{goal|26}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Shell Energy Stadium
|location = Houston, Texas
|attendance =
|referee = Gaad David Flores Ramírez
}}
----
{{football box
|id = KC v LOU
|date = August 5
|team1 = Kansas City Current
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/kansas-city-current-vs-racing-louisville-fc-2023-08-05/stats
|team2 = Racing Louisville FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Children's Mercy Park
|location = Kansas City, Kansas
|attendance = 9,321
|referee = Jon Freemon
}}
----
{{football box
|id = CHI v HOU
|date = August 5
|team1 = Chicago Red Stars
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/chicago-red-stars-vs-houston-dash-2023-08-05/stats
|team2 = Houston Dash
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = SeatGeek Stadium
|location = Bridgeview, Illinois
|attendance = 3,137
|referee = Karen Callado
}}
= West Division =
|show_matches=yes
|section=West Division
|source=[https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings NWSL]
|team_order=RGN, LA, POR, SD
|result1=KO|result2=
|update=complete
|win_LA=2 |draw_LA=2 |loss_LA=2 |gf_LA=7 |ga_LA=8 |status_LA=
|win_RGN=4 |draw_RGN=2 |loss_RGN=0 |gf_RGN=7 |ga_RGN=0 |status_RGN=
|win_POR=2 |draw_POR=1 |loss_POR=3 |gf_POR=8 |ga_POR=7 |status_POR=
|win_SD=1 |draw_SD=1 |loss_SD=4 |gf_SD=4 |ga_SD=11 |status_SD=
|name_LA = Angel City FC
|name_RGN = OL Reign
|name_POR = Portland Thorns FC
|name_SD = San Diego Wave FC
|res_col_header=Q
|col_KO=green1 |text_KO=Advance to knockout stage
|col_2nd=blue1 |text_2nd={{nowrap|Advance to knockout stage based on ranking}}
|match_LA_RGN = 0–2
|match_LA_POR = 2–1
|match_LA_SD = 2–1
|match_RGN_LA = 0–0
|match_RGN_POR= 0–0
|match_RGN_SD= 1-0
|match_POR_LA = 3–2
|match_POR_RGN= 0–1
|match_POR_SD= 4–1
|match_SD_LA= 1–1
|match_SD_RGN= 0–3
|match_SD_POR= 1–0
}}
{{football box
|id = LA v RGN
|date = April 19
|team1 = Angel City FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 0–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/angel-city-fc-vs-ol-reign-2023-04-19/stats
|team2 = OL Reign
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = BMO Stadium
|location = Los Angeles, California
|attendance = 10,021
|referee = Anya Voigt
}}
----
{{football box
|id = SD v POR
|date = April 19
|team1 = San Diego Wave FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/san-diego-wave-fc-vs-portland-thorns-fc-2023-04-19/stats
|team2 = Portland Thorns FC
|goals1 =
- Nally {{goal|65|o.g.}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Snapdragon Stadium
|location = San Diego, California
|attendance = 9,504
|referee = Brandon Stevis
}}
----
{{football box
|id = RGN v LA
|date = May 3
|team1 = OL Reign
|time = 19:00 ET
|score = 0–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-angel-city-fc-2023-05-03/stats
|team2 = Angel City FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lumen Field
|location = Seattle, Washington
|attendance = 5,511
|referee = Adam Kilpatrick
}}
----
{{football box
|id = SD v RGN
|date = May 31
|team1 = San Diego Wave FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 0–3
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/san-diego-wave-fc-vs-ol-reign-2023-05-31/stats
|team2 = OL Reign
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Snapdragon Stadium
|location = San Diego, California
|attendance = 9,763
|referee = Anya Voigt
}}
----
{{football box
|id = POR v LA
|date = May 31
|team1 = Portland Thorns FC
|time = 22:30 ET
|score = 3–2
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-fc-vs-angel-city-fc-2023-05-31/stats
|team2 = Angel City FC
|goals1 =
- Vasconcelos {{goal|23}}
- D'Aquila {{goal|46}}
- Weaver {{goal|90+3}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Providence Park
|location = Portland, Oregon
|attendance = 16,429
|referee = Adorae Monroy
}}
----
{{football box
|id = LA v SD
|date = June 28
|team1 = Angel City FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 2–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/angel-city-fc-vs-san-diego-wave-fc-2023-06-28/stats
|team2 = San Diego Wave FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Colaprico {{goal|63}}
|stadium = BMO Stadium
|location = Los Angeles, California
|attendance = 13,648
|referee = Katja Koroleva
}}
----
{{football box
|id = POR v RGN
|date = June 28
|team1 = Portland Thorns FC
|time = 22:30 ET
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-fc-vs-ol-reign-2023-06-28/stats
|team2 = OL Reign
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Bennett {{goal|55}}
|stadium = Providence Park
|location = Portland, Oregon
|attendance = 16,252
|referee = Matthew Thompson
}}
----
{{football box
|id = POR v SD
|date = July 21
|team1 = Portland Thorns FC
|time = 22:30 ET
|score = 4–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-fc-vs-san-diego-wave-fc-2023-07-21/stats
|team2 = San Diego Wave FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
- Kornieck {{goal|81}}
|stadium = Providence Park
|location = Portland, Oregon
|attendance = 16,393
|referee = Ricardo Fierro
}}
----
{{football box
|id = RGN v SD
|date = July 28
|team1 = OL Reign
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 1–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-san-diego-wave-fc-2023-07-28/stats
|team2 = San Diego Wave FC
|goals1 =
- Balcer {{goal|71}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lumen Field
|location = Seattle, Washington
|attendance = 7,513
|referee = Alyssa Nichols
}}
----
{{football box
|id = LA v POR
|date = July 29
|team1 = Angel City FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 2–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/angel-city-fc-vs-portland-thorns-fc-2023-07-29/stats
|team2 = Portland Thorns FC
|goals1 =
- McCaskill {{goal|9||47}}
|goals2 =
- Weaver {{goal|44}}
|stadium = BMO Stadium
|location = Los Angeles, California
|attendance = 13,154
|referee = Brandon Stevis
}}
----
{{football box
|id = SD v LA
|date = August 5
|team1 = San Diego Wave FC
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 1–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/san-diego-wave-fc-vs-angel-city-fc-2023-08-05/stats
|team2 = Angel City FC
|goals1 =
- Shaw {{goal|11}}
|goals2 =
- Camberos {{goal|16}}
|stadium = Snapdragon Stadium
|location = San Diego, California
|attendance = 14,408
|referee = Elijio Arreguin
}}
----
{{football box
|id = RGN v POR
|date = August 6
|team1 = OL Reign
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 0–0
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-portland-thorns-fc-2023-08-06/stats
|team2 = Portland Thorns FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lumen Field
|location = Seattle, Washington
|attendance = 12,061
|referee = Mathew Corrigan
}}
= Ranking of second-placed teams =
The best second-placed team from the group stage advances to the knockout stage.
|section=Ranking
|source=[https://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings NWSL]
|show_groups=T
|group_GrA=East
|group_GrB=Central
|group_GrC=West
|name_GrA=NJ/NY Gotham FC
|name_GrB=Racing Louisville FC
|name_GrC=Angel City FC
|update=complete
|win_GrA=3 |draw_GrA=2 |loss_GrA=1 |gf_GrA=10|ga_GrA=7 |status_GrA=
|win_GrB=4 |draw_GrB=0 |loss_GrB=2 |gf_GrB=10|ga_GrB=6 |status_GrB=
|win_GrC=2 |draw_GrC=2 |loss_GrC=2 |gf_GrC=7 |ga_GrC=8 |status_GrC=
|team_order= GrB, GrA, GrC
|res_col_header=Q
|result1=Q
|col_Q=green1 |text_Q=Advance to knockout stage
}}
Knockout stage
In the knockout stage, the semifinals occurred on September 6 and the final took place on September 9.
=Bracket=
{{#invoke:Team bracket|main
|rounds= 2
| RD1=Semifinals
| RD2=Championship
| score-width=30px
| team-width=160px
| bold_winner=high
| RD1-seed1= 1
| RD1-team1= OL Reign
| RD1-score1= 0
| RD1-seed2= 4
| RD1-team2= Racing Louisville FC
| RD1-score2= 1
| RD1-seed3= 2
| RD1-team3= Kansas City Current
| RD1-score3= 0
| RD1-seed4= 3
| RD1-team4= North Carolina Courage
| RD1-score4= 1
| RD2-seed1= 4
| RD2-team1= Racing Louisville FC
| RD2-score1= 0
| RD2-seed2= 3
| RD2-team2= North Carolina Courage
| RD2-score2= 2
}}
==Semi-finals==
{{football box
|id = KC v NC
|date = September 6
|team1 = Kansas City Current
|time = 20:00 ET
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/match/09bce5e2b16f4d68999140fc13fb1fc7/kansas-city-current-vs-north-carolina-courage
|team2 = North Carolina Courage
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Children's Mercy Park
|location = Kansas City, Kansas
|attendance = 4,590
|referee = Anya Voigt
}}
----
{{football box
|id = RGN v LOU
|date = September 6
|team1 = OL Reign
|time = 22:00 ET
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.nwslsoccer.com/match/2d227867f52945eab9d335f67f106c62/seattle-reign-vs-racing-louisville-fc
|team2 = Racing Louisville FC
|goals1 =
|goals2 =
|stadium = Lumen Field
|location = Seattle, Washington
|attendance = 3,906
|referee = Natalie Simon
}}
==Final==
{{Main|2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final}}
{{:2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final}}
==Notes==
:A.{{note|noteA}}Match was interrupted and delayed approximately three hours by inclement weather. Attendance numbers were therefore imprecise and unreported.{{cite web |last1=Herrera |first1=Sandra |title=North Carolina vs. Racing Louisville score: Courage win second straight NWSL Challenge Cup after long delay |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/north-carolina-vs-racing-louisville-score-courage-wins-second-straight-nwsl-challenge-cup-after-long-delay/live/ |website=CBS Sports |date=September 9, 2023 |access-date=11 September 2023}}
Statistics
= Goalscorers =
{{Goalscorers
|goals=101 |matches=39
|ongoing= |bold=
|updated=
|source=[https://www.nwslsoccer.com/stats/players?season=8npsi5qsz2ohb14wxr2p0xjpw NWSL]
|5 goals=
- {{flagicon|USA}} Kristen Hamilton, KC
|3 goals=
- {{flagicon|BRA}} Debinha, KC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Savannah DeMelo, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Brittany Ratcliffe, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Morgan Weaver, POR
|2 goals=
- {{flagicon|USA}} Penelope Hocking, CHI
- {{flagicon|USA}} Cece Kizer, KC
- {{flagicon|FRA}} Clarisse Le Bihan, LA
- {{flagicon|USA}} Savannah McCaskill, LA
- {{flagicon|USA}} Parker Goins, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Jenna Nighswonger, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Stengel, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Lynn Williams, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} McCall Zerboni, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Haley Hopkins, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Brianna Pinto, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Frankie Tagliaferri, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Olivia Wingate, NC
- {{flagicon|CAN}} Jordyn Huitema, RGN
- {{flagicon|USA}} Ally Watt, ORL
- {{flagicon|USA}} Hannah Betfort, POR
- {{flagicon|USA}} Ashley Hatch, WAS
|1 goal=
- {{flagicon|USA}} Yūki Nagasato, CHI
- {{flagicon|USA}} Madelyn Desiano, HOU
- {{flagicon|VEN}} Bárbara Olivieri, HOU
- {{flagicon|MEX}} Diana Ordóñez, HOU
- {{flagicon|ENG}} Ebony Salmon, HOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Michelle Cooper, KC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Vanessa DiBernardo, KC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Hailie Mace, KC
- {{flagicon|MEX}} Scarlett Camberos, LA
- {{flagicon|SCO}} Claire Emslie, LA
- {{flagicon|USA}} Madison Hammond, LA
- {{flagicon|USA}} Jordan Baggett, LOU
- {{flagicon|BRA}} Ary Borges, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Kirsten Davis, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Kayla Fischer, LOU
- {{flagicon|NGA}} Uchenna Kanu, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Paige Monaghan, LOU
- {{flagicon|USA}} Margaret Purce, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Yazmeen Ryan, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Mana Shim, NJY
- {{flagicon|USA}} Malia Berkely, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Tess Boade, NC
- {{flagicon|DEN}} Mille Gejl, NC
- {{flagicon|BRA}} Kerolin, NC
- {{flagicon|JPN}} Manaka Matsukubo, NC
- {{flagicon|JPN}} Narumi Miura, NC
- {{flagicon|IRL}} Denise O'Sullivan, NC
- {{flagicon|USA}} Messiah Bright, ORL
- {{flagicon|USA}} Tori Hansen, ORL
- {{flagicon|USA}} Megan Montefusco, ORL
- {{flagicon|USA}} Izzy D'Aquila, POR
- {{flagicon|MEX}} Reyna Reyes, POR
- {{flagicon|USA}} Michele Vasconcelos, POR
- {{flagicon|USA}} Bethany Balcer, RGN
- {{flagicon|USA}} Elyse Bennett, RGN
- {{flagicon|USA}} Ryanne Brown, RGN
- {{flagicon|USA}} Olivia Athens, RGN
- {{flagicon|USA}} Danielle Colaprico, SD
- {{flagicon|USA}} Taylor Kornieck, SD
- {{flagicon|USA}} Jaedyn Shaw, SD
- {{flagicon|USA}} Camryn Biegalski, WAS
- {{flagicon|USA}} Tara McKeown, WAS
- {{flagicon|USA}} Chloe Ricketts, WAS
- {{flagicon|USA}} Ashley Sanchez, WAS
- {{flagicon|IRL}} Marissa Sheva, WAS
- {{flagicon|USA}} Lena Silano, WAS
- {{flagicon|VEN}} Mariana Speckmaier, WAS
- {{flagicon|USA}} Sam Staab, WAS
|1 own goal=
- {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Lind, KC (against HOU)
- {{flagicon|FRA}} Clarisse Le Bihan, LA (against RGN)
- {{flagicon|USA}} Meaghan Nally, POR (against SD)
}}
Statistics do not include penalty-shootout goals.
= Discipline =
A player is automatically suspended for the next match in the tournament for the following offenses:
- 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
Manaka Matsukubo was awarded the MVP of the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup final match,{{cite news |last1=Cattry |first1=Pardeep |title=Manaka Matsukubo a 'star in the making' for North Carolina Courage after NWSL Challenge Cup win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/manaka-matsukubo-a-star-in-the-making-for-north-carolina-courage-after-nwsl-challenge-cup-win/ |work=CBS Sports |date=September 10, 2023 |language=en}} and Kristen Hamilton was named the overall MVP of the tournament.{{cite web |last1=Munson |first1=Bella |title=Kristen Hamilton named Challenge Cup MVP – Equalizer Soccer |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/quick-update/kristen-hamilton-named-challenge-cup-mvp/ |website=The Equalizer |date=September 7, 2023}}
Named to the All-Tournament team:{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2023 |title=Kansas City Current forward Kristen Hamilton named UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Tournament MVP, presented by Bud Light - Kansas City Current |url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-forward-kristen-hamilton-named-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup-tournament-mvp-presented-by-bud-light |website=Kansas City Current |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Thorns FC's Morgan Weaver named to 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team |url=https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/news/thorns-fc-s-morgan-weaver-named-to-2023-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup-all-tournament-te |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925052343/https://www.timbers.com/thornsfc/news/thorns-fc-s-morgan-weaver-named-to-2023-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup-all-tournament-te |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |website=Portland Thorns FC |language=en}}
| class="wikitable"
!Pos. !Player !Club |
| GK
|{{flagicon|USA}} Katie Lund |
| rowspan="4" |DF
|{{flagicon|USA}} Malia Berkely |
| {{flagicon|NZL}} Abby Erceg |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Shae Holmes |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Jenna Nighswonger |
| rowspan="3" |MF
|{{flagicon|BRA}} Debinha |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Savannah DeMelo |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Jaelin Howell |
| rowspan="2" |FW
|{{flagicon|USA}} Kristen Hamilton |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Brittany Ratcliffe |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.nwslsoccer.com/challengecup}}
{{NWSL Challenge Cup}}
{{2023 NWSL season by team}}
{{2023 in American women's soccer}}
{{2022–23 in North and Central America, and Caribbean women's football (CONCACAF)}}
{{2023–24 in North and Central America, and Caribbean women's football (CONCACAF)}}
{{National Women's Soccer League}}
2023 in American soccer leagues