NWSL Challenge Cup news: Angel City jump to second, Bennett heads Reign to win

On a night when three UKG NWSL Challenge Cup matches were supposed to occur, mother nature had other plans. That by no means put a cloud over action elsewhere. 

NWSL Challenge Cup news: Angel City FC continue to roll under Becki Tweed, move to second in the West Division

Before Wednesday night, Angel City was sitting at the bottom of their UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group. Two goals and 90 minutes later, they find themselves on four points in second position. Since the sacking of Freya Coombe, ACFC has gone unbeaten through three contests including taking down their fellow California rivals, the San Diego Wave twice. It was the beginning of life for the next few weeks of this league without its international stars. Players on both sides were given opportunities that they may not have had with the entire team present. Due to that, it was a contest that featured many firsts across the board.

At the age of 15, Melanie Barcenas got her first professional start for San Diego on Wednesday night. She became the youngest player to start in Challenge Cup history at 15 years, 242 days. Like many of the youngsters in the league today, Barcenas looked quite confident on the ball, taking players on one-on-one more than once. It only took two minutes before the home team found the back of the net. For the first time this season, central midfielder Madison Hammond got on the scoresheet, beating the Wave to the second ball from a corner kick. It was the 25-year-old’s first goal in any NWSL competition since beginning her career in the league in 2020 with OL Reign.

The home side continued their pressure early on. Beginning with a Megan Reid through ball, ACFC used its advantage as the Wave tracked back to combine twice in the penalty area. Scarlett Camberos played a ball back into the middle, setting up French attacker Clarisse Le Bihan to slot home her second Challenge Cup goal of the campaign.

Casey Stoney’s side yet again make it far too easy for their opposition, giving up their third goal inside 20 minutes in the last two matches. The L.A side exuded confidence in the first 45 minutes, striking the woodwork twice after their two goals. Three minutes after Jaedyn Shaw subbed on in the second half, her corner created the first breakthrough of the night for the Wave. It was not enough though. Tweed’s ACFC have turned the page with their new interim head coach, fighting their way back after being in the bottom of both the Challenge Cup and NWSL tables.

NWSL Challenge Cup news: Elyse Bennett takes her chance, heads home winner for OL Reign as they extend lead in the group

When the stars depart, it opens the doors for others. The theme from the match at BMO Stadium reigned true in Oregon. Former Kansas City Current forward Elyse Bennett who contributed to 21 matches for Matt Potter’s team last year was a threat all night for OL Reign. She converted two of the chances that came her way, but only one of them counted due to a slight offside call. Bennett was an instant impact type of player off the bench in KC last season, and her move to Seattle has to be looked at as one of the most underrated of the offseason.

The Current letting a young player like this go maybe had to happen given their roster, but it goes without saying that she knows how to finish off plays. She is the perfect player to plug into your team when some of the club’s top attacking players are missing. Whether Laura Harvey planned this or not, the 23-year-old has the ability to score a whole lot of goals in this role.

Three out of the Reign’s last three goals have been via a player’s head. Alyssa Malonson’s brilliant left-footed ball was begging Bennett to knock it in. Despite captain Sam Coffey piecing together a quality game on both ends after she came up short of making the USWNT roster, the Portland Thorns failed to challenge Laurel Ivory between the sticks all that much. Mike Norris’ team sink down to third in the West Division on three points, now losing two of their three Challenge Cup matches. Only a goal differential of two separates them and San Diego in the basement of the group. Both these teams battle each other in their next cup fixture on July 21 at Providence Park.

The NWSL UKG Challenge Cup resumes when unbeaten Racing Louisville takes on the winless Chicago Red Stars in Kentucky on July 21 on Paramount+. 

Note: The Orlando Pride vs NJ/NY Gotham FC match was rescheduled for July 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Exploria Stadium. It was postponed due to travel delays caused by the weather experienced by Gotham.