The wider picture
Denver Summit FC is an expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) for the 2026 season, marking a significant addition to the league. The team is set to play its inaugural home match against Washington Spirit on March 27, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. This match is highly anticipated, as it is expected to break the NWSL attendance record, with over 60,000 tickets already distributed.
The excitement surrounding the match is palpable, especially considering that the previous attendance record was set in 2025 at 40,091. Denver Summit FC has already made headlines by winning their first match against Gotham FC with a score of 2-0, thanks to a standout performance by forward Melissa Kössler, who scored both goals. This victory has set a positive tone for the team’s inaugural season.
As the team prepares for their home opener, they have already played three matches, securing one win, one draw, and one loss. In their last three matches, Denver Summit FC has demonstrated strong defensive capabilities, having gone 240 minutes without conceding a goal, with only one goal allowed in that span. This defensive strength, combined with Kössler’s offensive prowess, has generated optimism among fans and analysts alike.
Juan Carlos Amorós, the head coach of Washington Spirit, expressed disappointment following their recent match, stating, “It’s a disappointing night for us with that result at home.” The upcoming match against Denver Summit FC will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event.
In addition to the excitement of the match itself, the event is notable for the presence of three former Washington Spirit players on the Denver Summit FC roster. This connection adds a personal element to the game, as these players will face their former team in front of a record-breaking crowd.
The match will be broadcast nationally on CBS, ensuring that fans across the country can witness this historic event. Observers are keen to see if Kössler can continue her scoring streak; with a goal in this match, she would join Alex Morgan as just the second player in league history to score in each of her first four matches with a club.
As the inaugural match approaches, the excitement continues to build. The Denver Summit FC organization is optimistic about their prospects, and the community is rallying behind the team. With the potential for a record-breaking attendance, the match is poised to be a landmark event in the history of women’s soccer.
