The fourth annual 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup continues on Wednesday as most teams play their second game. The regular season is in full swing, but the tournament will run concurrently with the full season schedule for the first time in its history. Midweek action will feature three games and six teams going head-to-head in round two of the group stage. Fans can watch the NWSL Challenge Cup and regular season across CBS Sports platforms including CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+.
Take a look at the format, the upcoming slate of games and more:
Biggest matchup to keep an eye on
North Carolina Courage vs. Gotham FC: The two east region teams picked up points in their first Challenge Cup round on April 19. Gotham lead the group with three points after a win against Washington Spirit and the Courage picked up a point in a dramatic draw against the Orlando Pride. A win by either team could mean an early grip on the east region group, and a chance for Gotham to regroup from a tough defensive performance during regular season play in week five.
Under-the-radar match
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars: This is Chicago’s first Challenge Cup match of the year and Houston will host the central region game at Shell Stadium. There’s an opportunity for the Dash to bounce back and get some points in the tournament after dropping their first Challenge Cup game against Kansas City. Both teams likely use some player rotation but don’t be surprised to see some regular starters with the Dash after their week five match was abandoned at the 53rd-minute mark due to excessive weather delays.
Format
The annual competition has gone through different variations over the last three editions, moving from a stand-alone tournament in 2020 to a scheduled competition between preseason and the regular season. The Challenge Cup will now take place throughout the regular season, with 12 clubs divided into three groups playing double round-robin matches.
Three group winners advance to the semifinals, along with the highest-placed runner-up. The final four compete for a spot in the final and a cash prize. The final four teams will compete in the semifinals on Sept. 6, and the two finalists will compete in the NWSL Challenge Cup final on Sept. 9. Winners will claim the cup, bragging rights, and a bonus pool among the players.
Viewing info
All times Eastern
Wednesday, May 3
North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m. on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m. on Paramount+
OL Reign vs. Angel City FC, 10 p.m. on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network
Standings and schedule
|
NJ/NY Gotham FC |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
North Carolina Courage |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Orlando Pride |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Washington Spirit |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
1 |
April 19
Orlando Pride 1, North Carolina Courage 1
NJ/NY Gotham FC 1, Washington Spirit 0
May 3
North Carolina Courage vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m.
May 10
Washington Spirit vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m.
June 7
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Orlando Pride, 7:30 p.m.
June 14
Washington Spirit vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m.
June 28
Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m.
July 22
North Carolina Courage vs. Washington Spirit, 7 p.m.
July 28
Washington Spirit vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC, 7 p.m.
July 29
North Carolina Courage vs. Orlando Pride, 7 p.m.
August 4
Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit, 7 p.m.
August 5
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. North Carolina Courage, 7:30 p.m.
|
Kansas City Current |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
Chicago Red Stars |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Racing Louisville FC |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Houston Dash |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
-2 |
0 |
April 19
Houston Dash 0, Kansas City Current 2
May 3
Houston Dash vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m.
May 17
Racing Louisville FC vs. Kansas City Current, 7:30 p.m
May 31
Chicago Red Stars vs. Racing Louisville FC, 8 p.m.
June 14
Kansas City Current vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m.
Racing Louisville FC vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m.
July 21
Racing Louisville FC vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m.
July 22
Kansas City Current vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m.
July 29
Chicago Red Stars vs. Kansas City Current, 8 p.m.
Houston Dash vs. Racing Louisville FC, 8:30 p.m.
August 4
Kansas City Current vs. Racing Louisville FC, 8 p.m.
August 5
Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston Dash, 8 p.m.
|
OL Reign |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
San Diego Wave |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Portland Thorns |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
|
Angel City |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
-2 |
0 |
April 19
Angel City FC 0, OL Reign, 2.
San Diego Wave FC 1, Portland Thorns FC 0
May 3
OL Reign vs. Angel City FC, 10 p.m.
May 31
San Diego Wave FC vs. OL Reign, 10 p.m.
Portland Thorns FC vs. Angel City FC, 10:30 p.m.
June 28
Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC, 10 p.m.
Portland Thorns FC vs. OL Reign, 10:30 p.m.
July 21
Portland Thorns FC vs. San Diego Wave FC, 10:30 p.m.
July 28
OL Reign vs. San Diego Wave FC, 10 p.m.
July 29
Angel City FC vs. Portland Thorns FC, 10 p.m.
August 5
San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel City FC, 10 p.m.
August 6
OL Reign vs. Portland Thorns FC, 6 p.m.
What’s different this year?
The competition was first introduced in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bubble tournament paved the way for NWSL to be the first fully professional team-contact league to return to play during the height of the pandemic. Since its introduction, the Challenge Cup has evolved over the year.
The previous two years featured the Challenge Cup as a preseason tourney. Teams were divided into three regional groups with each of the four divisional clubs playing double round-robin style matches for points.
The competition format and group regions are unchanged, but this year’s edition is the first time the contest will run throughout the NWSL regular season. Tournament sponsor UKG has also bumped up the prize money to a million-dollar pool. The 2022 Challenge Cup awarded $10,000 per player to the champions, while the runners-up received $5,000 per player, and the remaining two semifinalists got $1,500 per player. The four semifinalists in 2023 will split the million-dollar prize.