Game analysis Posts

Sept. 8, 2026

Denver Summit FC 3-0 Gotham FC: The League's Best Defense Falls Twice, and the Playoff Math Gets Tighter

Photo Credit: @Fidel.fotos Denver became the only club in the NWSL to beat Gotham FC twice this season. The numbers underneath the scoreline say the shift is real. The standings say the win barely moved them at all. CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Denver …
Sept. 1, 2026

Denver Summit FC 6-1 Chicago Stars: Eight Goal Contributors, Two First Goals and a Playoff Path

The Summit scored more goals in ninety minutes than any NWSL team has managed in a single match this season. The numbers underneath the scoreline say the performance was real. The opponent says be careful with it. CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Denver Summit …
Aug. 25, 2026

Denver Summit Had the Ball, the Box, and Nothing to Show for It

Denver Summit FC held the ball for 63% of Saturday night's match at Providence Park, touched it 27 times inside Portland's penalty area, and created zero big chances. The Thorns managed 12 touches in Denver's box and created four. Portland won 1-0.…
Aug. 7, 2026

Denver Summit FC Created Zero Big Chances in 0-2 Loss to North Carolina Courage

Seventeen shots. Not one clear look at goal. For a team whose whole season has been a finishing problem, Wednesday night was something else entirely — and it extended a run that now stretches twenty days without a goal from open play. Centennial, C…
Aug. 4, 2026

Denver Summit's Top Goal Scorer Isn't a Forward. That's the Story of This Season.

A league-wide check found Janine Sonis is the only defender leading her own team in scoring anywhere in the NWSL. After Sunday's draw with Boston, that's not a quirky stat anymore — it's a diagnosis. Denver, Colorado — Denver Summit had thirty-eigh…
July 29, 2026

Denver's Strikers Have Combined for 5 Goals From 7.32 Expected. It's Not the Whole Attack — It's the Position.

A sharp comment on Reddit sent me down a rabbit hole this week. The numbers split by position in a way I did not see coming. Denver, Colorado — Olivia Thomas has 1.40 expected goals this season. She has zero actual goals. That number alone is a he…
July 29, 2026

Denver Summit Doubled Washington's xG. They Still Lost 1-0

Denver Summit outshot the NWSL's top team, generated twice the expected goals, and left Audi Field with nothing. Plus: the Lindsey Heaps no-call, Devin Lynch's extension, and where Santa Fe Yards stands now. Denver Summit had seventeen shots to Was…
July 21, 2026

Rookie Natalie Means Wins Centennial Stadium Opener as Summit Down Portland 2-1

Denver Summit forward Natalie Means celebrates after scoring the game-winner in Summit's July 18, 2026 win over Portland Thorns at Centennial Stadium.  Centennial, Colo. – Denver Summit FC opened its brand-new stadium the best way possible on Satur…
July 17, 2026

As Impossible As Possible: Inside Denver Summit's Build-Up to Centennial Stadium's First Match

Denver Summit FC hosts Portland Thorns FC in the first-ever match at Centennial Stadium Saturday, with Lindsey Heaps making her Summit debut against her former club. Centennial, Colo. — Lindsey Heaps stood on the Centennial Stadium grass Thursday f…
July 14, 2026

Denver Summit Set Two Club Records in Shots, Still Only Manage a Draw with Houston

Yazmeen Ryan scored against the team that gave her a Golden Boot a year ago, and it still wasn't enough. Denver Summit FC drew the Houston Dash 2-2 Sunday night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, setting single-match club records for both shots (26) and…
July 10, 2026

Lindsey Heaps Didn't Come Home. She Came to Denver Summit FC on Purpose.

Centennial, Colo. —Nick Cushing has managed Manchester City's women and coached in Major League Soccer, and after three days of training with Lindsey Heaps he told a room full of Colorado reporters that it changes the mentality of the group. Three …
July 7, 2026

Denver Summit FC Fall 3-0 to Kansas City Current as Home Woes Deepen

A dominant share of the ball, and nothing to show for it. Denver's return from the break exposed the same problem that's haunted them at DICK'S all season — against a Kansas City side that never needed the ball to win. Commerce City, Colo. — Denver…
June 2, 2026

Denver Summit FC Closes the First Half on Its Own Terms

Denver, Colo. — Ally Brazier was the first player ever signed in Denver Summit FC history. She's been with this club longer than anyone. Friday night was the first time it really looked like it. The Colorado Springs native, the first player ever si…
May 26, 2026

Critical Errors in Critical Moments Cost Denver Summit a Result in Sandy

Denver outplayed Utah for most of 90 minutes. Two moments — both in the most dangerous areas of the pitch — decided the outcome. SANDY, Utah — Denver Summit FC dominated possession, won the passing battle, and outworked Utah Royals for the better p…
May 19, 2026

Denver Summit FC Earns First Home Win, Beats Orlando Pride 3-1 on Pride Night

Eva Gaetino's first career goal, Janine Sonis's back-to-back braces, and a suffocating double pivot sent the 2024 NWSL champions home winless in Colorado. Commerce City, Colo. — Denver Summit FC earned their first home win in franchise history Satu…
May 15, 2026

Marta, Banda, and the Ball: Why Possession Is Denver Summit FC's Path to Victory on Pride Night

Denver Summit FC hosts the Orlando Pride on May 16 in a rematch loaded with storylines — two of the biggest names in women's soccer, an iconic Pride Night, and a Denver team that has quietly figured something out. The last time Denver Summit FC and…
May 12, 2026

Denver Summit FC Went to Houston and Answered Every Question

A 4-1 road win, a possession flip, and the most complete 90 minutes of the expansion season. 38 percent. 43 percent. 53 percent. That's Denver Summit FC's possession in their last three games. The first two ended in losses — a three-two collapse a…
May 8, 2026

Nick Cushing Announces Lineup Changes Ahead of Houston Dash Reunion Match

Denver Summit FC travels to Shell Energy Stadium Saturday with head coach signaling rotation after consecutive late-game losses. Nick Cushing stood in front of reporters Tuesday afternoon at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and said the quiet part out lo…
May 5, 2026

Denver Summit FC's Lead Problem: How a 2-1 Edge Became a 3-2 Loss in Boston

The Summit's structural vulnerability with second-half leads cost them three points for the second match in a row, with an expansion rival earning their first franchise win in stoppage time. Two weeks ago, this was supposed to be the easy one. Bos…
May 1, 2026

Denver Summit FC Heads to Boston With Something to Prove

A winless expansion side, a depleted backline, and a team that came in on their day off. Sunday's match at Gillette Stadium is more than a road trip. Glendale, Colo. — Nick Cushing said it plainly at practice this week. This team should be nine poi…
April 28, 2026

Denver Summit FC Falls 3-2 to NWSL Leaders San Diego Wave After Halftime Lead Slips Away

Three goals in 16 second-half minutes broke a 30-match curse for San Diego — and ended Denver's three-game shutout streak. The opposing coach left the building calling Summit one of the toughest opponents in the league. Commerce City, Colo. — Den…
April 24, 2026

Denver Summit FC Hosts San Diego Wave at Dick's Sporting Goods Park: Snow, Stakes, and the Best Team in the NWSL

Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park is going to be cold. Not "bring a jacket" cold. The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain and snow showers likely after dark, a low of 35 degrees, and a high that only reaches 56 before droppin…
April 7, 2026

Denver Summit FC Tactical Analysis: Why the Defense Leads the NWSL

A five-game look at what Nick Cushing has built — and what still needs to find it. Denver Summit FC poached a point in Washington state Saturday night, battling Seattle Reign to a 0-0 draw at ONE Spokane Stadium before a light crowd of 3,950 fans. …
April 3, 2026

Denver Summit FC Just Broke a Record. Here's What Four Games Actually Tell Us.

Melissa Kössler is making NWSL history. Abby Smith is the best goalkeeper in the league right now. And last Saturday, 63,004 people showed up to prove Denver was ready for this. Four games into existence, Denver Summit FC sits sixth in the NWSL sta…