NWSL schedule, standings, scores, top scorers and playoffs chase for 2022 soccer regular season

Kyle Bonn

NWSL schedule, standings, scores, top scorers and playoffs chase for 2022 soccer regular season image

It's a shocking three wins out of three for expansion side San Diego Wave FC in its expansion season and they have the early lead in the NWSL standings for the 2022 regular season.

After a dramatic win in Houston with a Jodie Taylor goal four minutes from time, Alex Morgan scored four goals for a second win in San Diego's regular season home opener on May 7. The new NWSL side followed that up with yet another dramatic victory in Week 3, as Kaleigh Riehl scored in the 89th minute to give the Wave a 2-1 win over the Chicago Red Stars.

The other expansion team in 2022, Angel City FC, sits right behind in the standings after two wins and a draw in its first three matches. Angel City also recorded a victorious home opener, 2-1 over Challenge Cup champions North Carolina Courage back on April 29, with 22,000 fans on hand at Banc of California Stadium in LA to witness the team's first home match.

The Courage sit bottom of the table, but have only played one match due to the team's participation in the Challenge Cup title game. Surprisingly, their Challenge Cup title opponents OL Reign are struggling to begin the regular season, with just two points through the opening three games.

MORE: Key dates in the 2022 NWSL season

NWSL schedule 2022

Upcoming matches below. Home teams listed first.

Wednesday, May 18

MatchTime (ET)TV channelStreaming
NC Courage vs. Orlando Pride7:00 p.m. —Paramount+
Racing Louisville vs. San Diego Wave7:30 p.m. —Paramount+
Portland Thorns vs. Washington Spirit10:00 p.m. —Paramount+

Saturday, May 21

MatchTime (ET)TV channelStreaming
Portland Thorns vs. Houston Dash6:00 p.m. —Twitch
Angel City FC vs. Kansas City Current10:30 p.m. —Twitch

Sunday, May 22

MatchTime (ET)TV channelStreaming
NC Courage vs. San Diego Wave2:00 p.m. —Paramount+
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Racing Louisville5:00 p.m. —Paramount+
OL Reign vs. Washington Spirit6:00 p.m. —Paramount+
Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars7:00 p.m. —Paramount+

MORE: NWSL college draft & expansion draft pick-by-pick results

NWSL standings 2022

With 12 teams in the NWSL, there are no divisions or conferences: a single table is used. If teams are tied on points, the following tiebreakers are used:

  • head-to-head record;
  • overall season goal differential;
  • total goals scored;
  • goal differential on the road;
  • goals scored on the road.
PlaceTeamPointsGPW-L-DGDGoalsNext Match
1.**San Diego Wave933-0-0+67May 18 @ LOU
3.*Portland Thorns421-0-1+33May 18 vs. WAS
2.**Angel City FC632-1-0+13May 21 vs. KCC
6.*Chicago Red Stars321-1-003May 22 @ ORL
7.Washington Spirit321-1-002May 18 @ POR
8.NJ/NY Gotham FC321-1-0-13May 22 vs. LOU
9Racing Louisville230-1-2-14May 18 vs. SDW
12.NC Courage010-1-0-11May 18 vs. ORL
10.OL Reign230-1-2-13May 22 vs. WAS
4.Houston Dash431-1-1+13May 21 @ POR
11.KC Current130-2-1-52May 21 @ ANG
5.*Orlando Pride431-1-1-23May 18 @ NCC

** = Top two teams earn a first round playoff bye
* = Teams 3rd through 6th qualify for playoff first round

NWSL top scorers 2022

RankPlayerTeamGoals (Pen)AssistsGPMins
1.Alex MorganSan Diego Wave5 (3)03247
2.Tziarra KingOL Reign2 (0)0269
 Jessica McDonaldRacing Louisville2 (0)03270

NWSL playoffs 2022

With a 12-team league, the top six finishers advance to the playoffs, with the top two earning a first-round bye to the semifinals.

The postseason is played in a single-game knockout format beginning with the First Round. The two teams that emerge from the First Round travel to face the top two seeds in the semifinals. The last two teams left standing face off in the NWSL final in a neutral venue.

Matches that end in a draw after 90 minutes go to extra time (30 minutes) and, if necessary, penalty kicks.

First Round

DateMatchTime (ET)
TBDNo. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seedTBD
TBDNo. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seedTBD

Semifinals

DateMatchTime (ET)
TBDNo. 1 seed vs. No. 4 / No. 5 winnerTBD
TBDNo. 2 seed vs. No. 3 / No. 6 winnerTBD

Final

DateMatchTime (ET)
Sat, Oct. 29Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 WinnerTBD

2022 NWSL Challenge Cup results

Prior to the start of the regular season, the Challenge Cup pitted the teams in a spring competition.

The Challenge Cup was formatted across three regional four-team groups, with the winners plus the top runner-up advancing to a four-team mini-bracket to decide the winner.

The North Carolina Courage won the trophy, beating the Washington Spirit 2-1 at Wakemed Soccer Park.

MORE: What is the NWSL Challenge Cup? Full results & highlights

Challenge Cup semifinals

DateMatch 
Wed, May 4OL Reign 0, Washington Spirit 0
(Spirit advance 9-8 on PKs)
Highlights
Wed, May 4KC Current 1, NC Courage 2Highlights

Challenge Cup final

DateMatch 
Sat, May 7NC Courage 2, Washington Spirit 1Highlights

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.