Season Opener Preview: Denver Summit FC @ Bay FC

Kate Hanson: Welcome back to the 5280 pitch women's soccer at altitude. I'm Kate Hansen and we are days away. Days this Saturday, March 14th Denver Summit plays their first ever NWSL game against Bay FC. This is not a preseason friendly, not a scrimmage. This is the real thing. So Bay FC. PayPal Park, San Jose, 430 PM Mountain Time, and it's on Denver 7. This is it, folks. Everything we have been talking about since this team was announced, since the day the roster started coming together, since preseason at Coachella, it all leads to this Saturday. So today, I'm going to be breaking down this game. What to expect from Bay FC. based on their 2025 season, what Denver's likely starting lineup is going to look like, the tactical matchups that matter, and where you can watch if you can't make it out to California like yours truly. because this isn't just a game, this is the beginning of something. And I don't know about you, but I'm ready. So, BFC, let's talk about who Denver ⁓ facing on Saturday. Bay finished last season 13th in the league. Four wins, eight draws, 14 losses. They didn't make the playoffs, but here's the thing. They weren't a mess. They were structured. They were organized. The problem was that they just couldn't score. 26 goals and 26 games, lowest in the entire league. And it wasn't because they weren't creating chances. They had a 34.1 expected goals, which was seventh in the league. So they were getting into dangerous positions. They were creating quality chances. They just couldn't finish. The gap between their expected goals and actual goals, 8.1. That was the biggest disparity in the NWSL last season. nine one goal losses, eight draws. They were in games. They just couldn't find that final product. So ⁓ what does this tell us? FC is a team that knows how to defend. They're not going to beat themselves, but offensively they struggle to break teams down and put the ball in the back of the net. Their top scorer last season was Penelope Hawking with six goals. Then Rachel Kununaji and Taylor Huff with four goals each. That's not a lot of firepower spread across a full season. But here is where things get interesting. Bay FC, just a couple weeks ago, made a massive move. On February 11th, they acquired Claire Hutton from Kansas City, the Kansas City Current, for 1.1 million in transfer funds. that is the second highest transfer fee in NWSL history. So for those of you who are not aware with Claire Hutton, she's 20 years old, 2025 NWSL best 11 first team, US women's national team midfielder who captained the national team in January. She helped Kansas City win the shield last season. She is one of the best defensive midfielders in this league. Not only that, she's top 10 in the entire NWSL in Duel's 1, Successful Tackles, and Possessions won So she is the kind of player who controls the middle of the field, breaks up play, wins the ball back. And she can pass. Her vision and technical ability are elite. So Bay FC's midfield, it is totally different now. Last season, they struggled to control games through the middle. bypass midfield with long balls and Claire Hutton changes ⁓ of that. She is the spine. She is the player who connects defense to attack. For Denver, this is huge. You're not facing the same BFC that finished 13th last year. You're facing a team that just paid ⁓ a million dollars to fix their biggest weakness. Defensively though, Defensively, they are solid. They're still solid. Caprice Didosco played every single minute last season. So Iron Woman status. she has a veteran left back who's been in this league for over a decade. She knows how to organize a back line. Jordan Silkiewicz in goal had 74 saves and four clean sheets last year. She was nominated for ⁓ save the week 12 times more than anyone in the league. So ⁓ she capable. She is making stops. Mellanson center back, she had five assists last season that is tied for third most in the league ⁓ from a So they're not just defending, they are trying to build from the back and create deep positions. But here's what for Saturday. Bay FC is going to be organized. They will be compact. they won't give up easy chances. if Denver, Denver can stay patient, stay disciplined and force Bay to chase the game. That is when cracks appear because Bay struggled to score last year and if they can't score, they can't win. So what does Denver starting lineup look like for this game? Nick Cushing hasn't at the time of this podcast recording, he hasn't officially announced it, but based on preseason and the roster, Here is what I think we will see. In goal, Abby Smith. She's the veteran. She made that one mistake in San Diego in that preseason game, ⁓ but she also saves that kept Denver in it. She is your starter until proven otherwise. ⁓ Back, left to I believe it will be Carson Pickett at left back, Kaylee Eva Gatino ⁓ as your center back pairing probably Ayo Oki at right Pickett, she's your veteran. Former NWSL best 11, led the league and assists as a left back in 2022. She gets forward, she creates, she is a two way threat. Kurtz, I think it's going to be a toss up between her and Janine Sanas on who winners the armband, but I think Kurtz is the captain for this game. She is an iron woman, NWSL record holder for consecutive minutes played. She is your leader, your organizer, your vocal presence in the back line. Gaetino came from PSG in France. She had a shaky start but settled in as games went on. She's adjusting to the pace of the NWSL, but the talent is there. And Aoki has been a very pleasant surprise. She did get the call up to play with the U.S. women's team over the winter. She is fast, athletic, can get up and down the flank. She is probably your starter at right back. In the midfield, Emma Reagan and Una McCormick as your double pivot. Reagan's a Canadian international. She is your defensive midfielder. She wins tackles, reads the game, breaks up play. McCormick is your box to box player. Work great for days. She's everywhere. Then you've got Lordis Bosch. As you're attacking midfielder, she is creative, she can pick a pass, she shields the ball well. Against Bayes compact defense, Bosch is going to be critical in unlocking space. Up top, this is where it gets interesting. You've probably got some combination of Melissa Koestler, Olivia Thomas, and Ali Brazer. Koestler is the German international. Two goals in two preseason games, clinical finisher, always in the right spot. But then Thomas has really been standing out in these preseason games. She is your rookie out of UNC. Three goals in two preseason games. She's fast like 4.8, 40 yard dash fast. She is a problem in the air. She's forcing her way into this starting lineup with performances. And then Brazier. Colorado native, Summit's first ever signing. She's won championships in Australia and the NWSL. She knows how to score. She's experienced. She is a leader up top. How Nick Cushing lines them up, whether it is a front two or a front three, we will see, but those are your attacking weapons. Now I know in past episodes, I have spoken a lot about Natalie Means. Natalie Means is interesting. She is listed as a defender. but played as a winger in the preseason. She scored a goal, she got an assist. I wouldn't be surprised if she is in the mix, most likely off the bench, maybe starting, depending on what Cushing wants tactically. But I see Natalie Means coming into this game at some point. I don't know where on the field, with the way that she has played in the preseason, I feel like Nick Cushing has to find a way to get her onto the pitch. But that is probably your starting 11. And honestly, That is a lineup that can compete. So tactically, What should we be watching for on Saturday? First can Denver control the midfield against Claire Hutton? This is the matchup Hutton's going to be sitting in front of Bay's backline, breaking up play, cutting off passing lanes, winning duels. ⁓ She is elite at this. Reagan, Una McCormick are going to have their hands full. Can they match Hutton's rate? Can they win second balls? Can they keep her from dominating possession in the middle third? If Hutton controls the midfield, ⁓ the game. If Denver can disrupt her, press her, force her into mistakes, that's when Bay's offense stalls. Second, can Denver build out of the back cleanly? Bay FC is going to press. They are not going to let Denver just pass it around comfortably. ⁓ They are going to try to force mistakes high up the field. Smith's distribution matters here. If she can find Kurtz or Gaetano with clean passes and they find Reagan or McCormick in midfield, breaks the press and suddenly they are in space. But Smith is shaky, if the centerbacks can't find the midfield, ⁓ Bay is going to win the ball in dangerous areas and create chances. That cannot happen. third, can Denver exploit Bay's lack of finishing? Bay created chances last year. They just didn't finish. They just didn't score. So if Denver can stay compact defensively, limit the quality of chances Bay gets, and make them finish from difficult positions, that plays into Denver's hands. Kurtz and Gaetino, they can't give up easy headers ⁓ pieces. Pickett Oakey, ⁓ have to track runners coming from deep. Reagan has to cut off passing lanes into Bayes forwards. If Denver defends with discipline and organization, Bayes going to struggle to score. And if they can't score, Denver just needs one or two moments of quality to win. can the attacking trio create Whether it's Koestler and Thomas up front, ⁓ as a front two or Thomas Brazier as ⁓ three. Denver needs quality moments going forward. Coastler smart, she drifts into pockets, ⁓ finds gaps between lines, Thomas is physical and fast, she can run in behind, she can hold up play. Brazier, she is experienced, she knows how to find space, how to finish in tight areas. If those players can combine effectively, like they did in the preseason. And if they can create space for one another, Denver has a real attacking threat. If they're isolated and disconnected, it is going to be a real long day. fifth, set pieces. ⁓ Bayes Alyssa had five assists last year. A lot of that came from set pieces, corners, free kicks. ⁓ She is Denver has to be organized offensively on set pieces. No easy headers, no unmarked runners. Kurtz is good in the air, but she can't do it all alone. On the flip side, Denver does have height. Kurtz, Gatino, Thomas, they can all attack the ball in the air. If Denver gets set pieces in dangerous areas, they need to capitalize. And finally, fitness and altitude prep. Denver has been training at altitude for weeks. Bay's coming in from sea level. This game's at sea level, so Denver doesn't have that advantage on Saturday. But here's the thing. Denver's conditioning is built for this league now. They've been through the grind of preseason, they've been training at altitude, they know the pace. They will have that third long for this game. And if this game is tight, whether it's null-null or one-one in the 75th minute, Denver's fitness can give them that edge. They can't, I believe they will be able to make that one more run, win one more tackle, create one more chance than Bay because of their training at altitude. I think they can do it, but they have to prove it. So here is the big question. What does success look like for Denver on Saturday? Look, Bay FC is better than their 2025 record suggests. They've got a new coach and Emma Coats. They just spent over a million dollars on Claire Hutton. They're not the same team that finished 13th last year, but they're also still figuring things out. New system, new players integrating first game of the season. So I think success for Denver is a few things. One, stay organized defensively. Don't give up those soft goals. Don't make mistakes that lead to easy chances. Make Bay earn everything. Two, create quality chances going forward. You don't have to score three goals, but you need moments where you look dangerous, where Thomas gets in behind, where Koestler finds space, where Bosch picks out a killer pass. And three, compete for 90 minutes. Expansion teams, they can have moments where they lose focus, where the game gets away from them, where the nerves come into play. Denver can't afford that. They have to stay in the fight, stay disciplined. And if Denver does that, those three things, I think they'll come away with a point. Whether it's, if it is a 0-0 draw, a 1-1 draw, that's not a bad start. But if they can do those things and find a way to win, if they can get all three points on the road in their first ever game, guys, that is a statement. That is Denver telling the league, we're not just here to participate, we are here to compete. And honestly, I think that they can do it. Bay is beatable, Denver's got the roster, they've got the tactics, they've got the preparation, now they just have to execute. All right, so if you're like yours truly, and you're not able to make it out to San Jose to watch the very first game, and let's be honest, most of us aren't, here is how you can watch. Saturday, March 14th, kickoff is at 4.30 PM Mountain Time. That's 3.30 Pacific if you're looking at the Bay FC schedule, or if you're going out to the game, make sure you show up at 3.30, not 4.30, you'd be an hour late. But the game at... Game is on ION nationally. And of course it'll be on Denver 7 and the spot Denver 3 here locally in Colorado. And if you don't have cable, ION streams on their website. You can also get it on NWSL Plus if you're a subscriber. Now, the watch parties. The official Denver Summit FC supporters group, the Fort Teeners, they are organizing watch parties throughout the state, but the official home opener watch party is going to be at number 38, doors open at 3.45 p.m. And if you're not a part of the Fort Teeners yet, well, what are you waiting for? Join the Fort Teeners support group. I am going to the Fort Teeners season opener watch party. at number 38, but there are more watch parties. The Denver Summit FC inaugural watch party is going to be at Stoney's at 1111 Lincoln. that's to their official watch party of the Denver Summit. So join Denver Summit FC at their inaugural season opener watch party where they say, wear Summit green, bring your crew and cheer on the team's inaugural match the right way. Arrive early for the Summit's watch party because they will have merch there. They will have raffles going on ⁓ and they will have new kits for sale. So if you don't have your jersey or your kit yet, be some of the first to grab it. I already grabbed mine, my whole family's got theirs. But if you haven't gotten yours yet, you can head to this event at Stoney's for the official Denver Summit FC Watch Party. RSVP for that on their website if you want to go to this official Denver Summit party. So if you want to be around other fans, if you want that game day energy, even though we're not at the stadium yet, that is the move. And then after this game, Denver's schedule gets real, real fast. March 20th at Orlando Pride, the reigning NWSL champions. That is a big test. March 25th at Gotham FC, the 2025 NWSL Cup champions. Another massive test. And then folks, is time, March 28th, home opener at Empower Field at Mile High against Washington Spirit. Over 45,000 fans. History is being made. If you haven't gotten your ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Join this game. This first game is just the beginning, but it matters. It sets the tone. It shows what this team is capable of. So that is the preview for Saturday. Denver Summit FC at Bay FC, first game in franchise history. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm ready. This team has been built intentionally. The roster's got veterans like Pickett and Kurtz who know this league. It's got young talent like Thomas and McCormick who are hungry. They have international stars like Koestler and Gaetano who bring a different level of quality in a couple of weeks. Lindsay Heaps joins from Lyon. and anchors that midfield. And as we've seen, man time can fly once we start going. There are so many topics that I haven't even gotten to cover yet. Player interviews that are coming up. This is real, this is happening, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. If you're going to the game in Bay, like my dad, dad, I hope you have the best time and happy birthday with those tickets. But if you're going to the game, be loud, represent Denver well, Make Bay FC feel like they're playing an away game even though they're at home. And if you're watching from Colorado, find a watch party. Get around other fans. Make this moment what it should be. A celebration of women's soccer here in Denver because we have waited a really, really long time for this. Thank you for joining me on the 5280 pitch. Make sure you're subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Instagram at 5280 pitch. If you're not signed up for the newsletter yet, I do have special offers for merch. There's some great merch, like some stuff that I'm wearing right now. So be sure to sign up for the newsletter and get your special offer for discounted merch. Next week, we will recap this game and look ahead at Orlando and Gotham. Until then, let's go summit. Let's make some history. And thank you again for joining me on the 5280 pitch. Women's soccer at altitude.