Denver Summit FC’s Carson Pickett leaves lasting impression on kids with limb differences | NWSL Insider
GLENDALE — Carson’s Pickett’s favorite quote from her dad is, “Don’t let anyone turn the sky into a ceiling.”
The Denver Summit FC defender implements that mantra in her life and her lengthy professional soccer career as someone with a limb difference. Even more, Pickett, who was born without her left forehand and hand, wants to share that message with kids with “lucky fins.”
She’s doing so through Hand Camp Colorado, a local nonprofit that supports kids with limb differences.
Pickett is Denver’s NWSL Lauren Holiday Impact Award nominee, and the midfielder chose Hand Camp Colorado as her charity partner. The winner will be announced in November during championship week.
“She has lived this every day since she was born,” Hand Camp Colorado President Cailin Delaney said of Pickett. “She understands the importance of having a community of people that look like you and shows that nothing can stop you. Having that community and representation is so much more important than people realize.”
Pickett’s passion came to fruition at her first event with Hand Camp, a meet-up at Infinity Park on June 4, where kids from ages 5 to 8 interacted with Pickett and participated in drills with the help of the Colorado Soccer Foundation.
Pickett was the first player with a limb difference to play for the U.S. Women’s National Team. The kids at the event were enthralled by Pickett, who created a fun, welcoming environment and made sure to interact with each of them.
“It was incredible,” Pickett said, “I feel I have both things that I love. I love kids with lucky fins, and I love soccer, so combining both of them is such an honor for me.”
Seeing Pickett take the time to encourage and inspire the kids meant the world to their parents. One couple, Jared and Tylar Kidwell, traveled from Fort Collins to see Pickett with their 5-year-old daughter, Micah. It was the second time Micah met Pickett after meeting her at Denver’s home game in April.
“It feels like this is a priority in her life,” Jared Kidwell said of Pickett. “She seizes the opportunity to make a difference in our kids’ lives, which is really special. Having any difference can feel so isolating, so to meet people and build community with others with similar experiences can be life-changing.”
At the end of the session, one participant asked Pickett if she had ever been called a freak. It was hard to hear, but Pickett was glad he felt comfortable talking to her about it.
Her answer? You’re unique in your own way, and it’s cool to be different.
While Pickett hopes to have made an impact on the kids, she says they have impacted her just as much. She already has ideas formulated for her next event with Hand Camp, including an Olympics-style day where the kids are introduced to multiple sports.
It’s a start, and there is no ceiling.
“Seeing them all having fun and smiling, that’s what it’s all about,” Pickett said. “I want them to come out here and know they can have fun, and that we accept everyone. I hope they continue to reach for the stars.”
What I’m seeing
- In Denver news, the Summit hired veteran WSL coach Stephen Kirby as an assistant coach. Kirby brings two decades of developmental and coaching experience and most recently served as assistant manager of Women’s West Ham United FC for the 2025-26 season, according to a news release on June 4.
- Opening day for Denver’s Centennial Stadium was moved to July 8 due to construction, the club said. That means the next two matches — July 3 against KC Current and July 12 against Houston Dash — have been moved to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The delay seems to be due to recent rain, which has delayed pouring cement for roads and sidewalks.
- The NWSL championship will return to Gotham FC’s Audi Field in Washington, D.C, the league said. This will be the second time Audi Field has hosted the title match and the first since 2022. The championship will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
What I’m thinking
- While delaying the opening of Centennial Stadium is not ideal, it bodes well for the club’s league-leading attendance numbers since Dick’s Sporting Goods Park holds roughly 6,000 more seats. Still, it has been proven Summit fans will show out no matter the capacity with three sellouts. The post-match fireworks on July 3 are a bonus.
- In the same vein, the “second half” of the season will be a big one for the Summit with the addition of midfielder Lindsey Heaps and its upcoming home schedule. After just three home games in the first three months, the Summit has a full slate, starting with three in July.
- Denver’s Janine Sonis is getting the recognition she deserves with a NWSL Best XI of the Month honor for May. Sonis, a Highlands Ranch product, had back-to-back braces in May and played every minute in all five games. As previously noted, Sonis will serve as co-captain alongside Heaps.
What I’m hearing
- The Summit players are on a much-needed break until June 17. Colorado Springs product Ally Brazier, goalie Abby Smith and defender Meg Reid represented the Summit at the crossover game with the Rockies on June 7. The Rockies lost 12-4 to the Brewers, but a crowd of 32,270 was still above their season average.
- Summit FC coach Nick Cushing on the World Cup: “The opportunity for people to go to the games here is important, but it’s also the highest level of the game. It’s the best players in the world, and that’s a catalyst for young boys and girls to watch that level, and also get the passion for the game. I was lucky enough to grow up in England, where there is a huge obsession with the game, and I think we are getting it.”
- There is much excitement around the “Triple Espresso” squad of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson and Mal Swanson returning to the USWNT. Windsor native Wilson spoke on the difficulty of being away from her daughter, Gigi: “It’s definitely an adjustment. Mal and I have spent every waking moment for the last six to nine months with our babies, so it’s hard to be away from them. It helps to be surrounded by so many great people, and there are so many staff who are parents. … I feel like we have an unspoken bond that it’s tough, but to also enjoy it.”
Wilson scored in the USWNT’s 2-1 loss to Brazil in a friendly on June 6 and forced an own goal in the United States’ 1-0 win over Brazil on June 9.
The list
The leading goal scorers in the NWSL
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride): 11
- Temwa Chawinga (KC Current): 7
- Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage): 7
- Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage): 5
- Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns): 5
NWSL standings
- San Diego Wave: 25
- Utah Royals: 24
- Portland Thorns: 24
- Washington Spirit: 21
- Gotham FC: 21
- Kansas City Current: 21
- North Carolina Courage: 18
- Orlando Pride: 17
- Denver Summit: 15
- Seattle Reign: 14
- Houston Dash: 14
- Angel City: 13
- Bay FC: 11
- Boston Legacy: 9
- Chicago Stars: 9
- Racing Louisville: 9