The 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup is underway, and while it may not have started out ideally for the Dash, they are very much so still in contention to make it to the knockout stage.
After Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Red Stars, the Dash currently sit in fourth place in the central division. However, the Dash have five games left to play and only need to move up two spots in the standings in order to move into the next round of play.
There are numerous scenarios where this is still possible. The Dash can move into a qualifying spot as early as this weekend. If Houston defeats Louisville and Chicago defeats Kansas City, the Dash will have four points while Louisville and Kansas City will each only have one.
Even if the Dash do not win this weekend, they play each team twice, so they are far from out of contention.
If the Dash do move on to the knockout round and can win the Cup, they will become the first multi-time Challenge Cup Champions. Not only that, but each player from the championship team will win a $10,000 bonus for the first-time ever.
According to head coach James Clarkson, the financial reward is an important incentive, but the team wants to win nonetheless.
“We've had discussions with the players about it. Financially there's much more reward for them this year,” James Clarkson said. “So that adds a little bit extra to it as well. How often do people get to win things and ultimately, at the end of their careers, they want to have a look at the medals, and that's what counts. We want to get straight into it, we want to compete. We're going to try to win it, we want to win it.”
The Dash play their next Challenge Cup match on Friday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m. against Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. This game, and all other Dash games during the challenge cup can be streamed live on Paramount+. For tickets to future Dash home games, click here.
