UKG NWSL Challenge Cup: Breaking down the last four teams remaining

After 48 group stage matches, this historic NWSL Challenge Cup has its semifinalists with the goal of securing the historic prize pool on Sept. 9.  

From the beginning, this competition had the makings of something special. For the first time in NWSL history, the Challenge Cup took place during the regular season. At the end of the Championship game, the league will give out the largest prize pool in United States women’s soccer history to the victor. There are some concerns though, including how to fix the excessive number of contests per week now with the regular season overlapping.

From April 19 to August 9, the Challenge Cup has delivered numerous unforgettable moments. Whether it was North Carolina coming back to beat Washington in June, or Morgan Weaver netting the late winner for Portland against Angel City FC, the path to reach these last four clubs has been a memorable one. With the playoff picture in the Challenge Cup set, we examine each team and its path to being two wins away from a domestic cup.

2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup semifinalists

No. 1 seed: OL Reign (4-2-0)

Division: West

Semifinal opponent: Racing Louisville

After falling short against Washington Spirit last season in the Challenge Cup semifinals, Laura Harvey’s OL Reign return as the top-seeded side. Despite the three NWSL Shields, not once has this team lifted a true postseason trophy. With Megan Rapinoe departing at the conclusion of the season, there is going to be that extra motivation to send a legend of the game out on a high.

The true strength of this team has been its defensive solidity. The Seattle side has been far and away the most consistent team in the group stage, finishing as the only club to not concede a single goal through six games. Claudia Dickey and Laurel Ivory split time through those fixtures, combining to collect 19 saves.

Canadian international Jordyn Huitema leads the Reign with just two cup goals. Whether it was a penalty or a finish by Elyse Bennett, Harvey’s team has found the back of the net when it needed to. Olivia Athens has been one of the standout players for the Reign during this cup run, playing the second most minutes while completing over 81 percent of her passes.

The team’s best cup contest was without question the 3-0 victory over San Diego Wave on the last day of May. Ryanne Brown scored her first NWSL goal while Quinn and Tziarra King ran the show for the Reign. Even with the top seed, Harvey’s team still encounters Racing Louisville, a side that ran through this competition up until it was left without its World Cup players.