The third NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off this Friday. One of the craziest NWSL offseasons concluded last week with the appointment of new commissioner Jessica Berman. Fans can celebrate the return of the NWSL competitive calendar with six matches this weekend. Per the broadcast schedule, all of this weekend’s games air domestically on Paramount+ or internationally on Twitch. Every team boasts plenty of talent on every level, and any team can win the competition. However, the odds favor some teams more than others. Before the tournament begins, Beyond Women’s Sports brings you pre-Challenge Cup power rankings to evaluate where teams currently stand.
12. Angel City FC
The LA expansion side claims the bottom spot in our pre-challenge Cup rankings. New teams often struggle in any league. While that may not be the case, defensive injuries and questions in the midfield create uncertainty for the club. This team does have the pieces, and if they can put them together, they will jump up this list. Fans also eagerly await the return of Christen Press. Press has not logged a competitive minute since last summer in the Tokyo Olympics. Expect 2022 to be a development year for Angel City.
11. Orlando Pride
Some teams seem to always be in rebuilding mode. Orlando is one of those teams. However, this year appears the most “rebuild-y” yet. New head coach Amanda Cromwell and player development coach Michelle Akers may need more time to get the ship back on course. Never count out a team led by Marta and Sydney Leroux. However, young talents like Viviana Villacorta, Mikayla Cluff, and Julie Doyle need longer to develop chemistry with the team. Although in the eleventh spot pre-Challenge Cup, Orlando will still surprise some teams.
10. Racing Louisville FC
Last season, Racing had the scoring firepower. They could not feed the ball forward and leaked goals on the other end. Pre-Challenge Cup, the club rectified some of those concerns. The midfield took a huge step forward, with first-round picks Jaelin Howell and Savannah DeMelo arriving via the draft. The defense broke even. The team lost goalkeeper Michelle Betos, but talented youngster Katie Lund is ready to step up. Several defenders left, but Addisyn Merrick’s return from injury gives the back line a boost. Goals will follow if the team can get Ebony Salmon, Jessica McDonald, and Dr. Nadia Nadim the ball. However, this defense may not weather the storm.
9. North Carolina Courage
The Courage fit their infamous underdog mantra for the first time in years. Almost all the key contributors from past season-winning rosters have since departed. Yet, the club still has a formidable spine in goalkeeper Casey Murphy, defender Abby Erceg, and midfielders Debinha and Denise O’Sullivan. The club completed many smart offseason acquisitions, such as top breakout player of the year candidates Kiki Pickett and Brianna Pinto. Malia Berkely is the center back this team searched for all last season. Draftee Diana Ordoñez projects to pair well with Debinha as a goal-scoring threat. With a strong endorsement from the players and a below-the-radar talented group, new head coach Sean Nahas does not have the uphill battle most believe.
8. Chicago Red Stars
The fall for last season’s regular-season finalists in our pre-challenge Cup power rankings is two-fold. First, Chicago started the preseason with no head coach. Not till midway through preseason did they name Chris Petrucelli to the role. With far less time with the team, he does not have the ability to implement his own concepts. Second, the team will miss several players for the majority of the season, including the Challenge Cup. Casey Krueger and Sarah Woldmoe both will miss time due to pregnancy. Kealia Watt currently rehabs a torn ACL in Arizona. Sarah Luebbert is on loan. Coupled with offseason departures, the Red Stars do not project to make it out of the group stage.
7. Houston Dash
Houston loves chaos. This is why they always have a shot in this competition and how they land at seven in our pre-challenge Cup rankings. The Dash have major roster questions, primarily on the defensive line. With center backs Megan Montefusco and Abby Dahlkemper gone, the currently rostered options to pair with Katie Naughton may not be able to contend with the league’s best. The team also lacks depth at both outside back positions. Houston’s chances ride on out-scoring opponents and hoping the defense holds up.
6. Portland Thorns FC
While equally potent in front of goal and defense, the Thorn’s midfield engine looks different in 2022. Angela Salem retired, Lindsey Horan departed on loan, Crystal Dunn is pregnant, and Celeste Boureille left the club. Strong, experienced midfields make the playoffs in this league. Without one, Portland falls to number six in our pre-challenge Cup power rankings. The Thorns are down but not out. The club still has the personnel to make a strong run in the regular season, but the young midfield core may need more time to mesh.
5. San Diego Wave FC
The Wave may have cracked the elusive code on how to make the playoffs in year one as an expansion side. This roster and leadership structure look ready to take on all challengers. Each line has talented veterans, promising youth, and depth to spare. Head coach Casey Stoney is one of the brightest minds in the modern game, and club president Jill Ellis knows a thing or two about winning titles. If this team can connect early, they could be the best second-place team and progress out of the group stage.
4. Kansas City Current
The entire NWSL wants Kansas City to succeed. With ownership investing heavily into players, facilities, and publicity, Kansas City sets an example for the rest of the league. The club announced several high-profile additions in the past few months. Those paired with a strong finish last season cause the Current to leap up our pre-challenge Cup power rankings. After several defensive departures, defense is their biggest remaining question. If new head coach Matt Potter can piece together a defense, Kansas City can win the central group.
3. NJ/NY Gotham FC
Gotham is ready to take the next step. With their new branding, the club has yet to win any silverware in the NWSL. This could be their year. The team looks cohesive with talented players. Gotham also has several key figures from the Black Women’s Player Collective leading the charge to promote equality and inclusiveness. On the field, they brought inadequate replacements for their departed goalkeepers. New arrival Kristie Mewis may be the creative midfield presence missing to fit the pieces together. Expect another dominant year from dynamic duo Margaret Purce and Ifeoma Onumonu as Gotham surges past the group stage.
2. OL Reign
The Reign are out for revenge after losing at home in the semifinals to end last season. Unfortunately for the west, they will likely succeed. In the chaos of the NWSL, no path is truly clear. However, in a group with two expansion clubs and Portland, who have a new head coach and midfield, the Reign have the clearest path out of the group stage. Based on their roster and coach, they have the talent to earn the number two spot in our pre-challenge Cup power rankings. One player to highlight is Ally Watt, who returned late last season from injury and could have a breakout year. Expect a dominant group performance and a possible Challenge Cup title from the Reign.
1. Washington Spirit
The regular-season champions from 2021 take the top spot in our pre-challenge Cup power rankings. It is easy to see why with a team that seems only to get better. The team returns all key players except left back Tegan McGrady and center back Paige Nielsen. The roster already contains adequate replacements at both positions. Washington has the right balance of experienced leadership with a youthful spark. Young superstar Trinity Rodman signed the biggest deal in league history, and the club boasted a league-high seven players on the USWNT SheBelieves Cup roster. While the Challenge Cup has no true favorite, the Spirit are the next best thing.
Here is a concise pre-Challenge Cup power rank list:
- Washington Spirit
- OL Reign
- NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Kansas City Current
- San Diego Wave FC
- Portland Thorns FC
- Houston Dash
- Chicago Red Stars
- North Carolina Courage
- Racing Louisville FC
- Orlando Pride
- Angel City FC
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