The excitement around soccer this summer is palpable. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup brought thrilling matches, loud watch parties and a new fanbase to the U.S. men’s national team. The final between Argentina and Spain is set for Sunday, but the fun is far from over. 

On the women’s side, fans have witnessed a new NWSL team in Colorado this summer, Denver Summit FC, which already has a top-notch performance center and a 12,000-seat temporary home stadium. And the club signed USWNT team captain and World Cup champion Lindsey Heaps. 

On Saturday, the Summit (4-4-5, 16 points) will open Centennial Stadium against the Portland Thorns (8-3-4, 27 points) in a must-watch first meeting between the teams. The NWSL international transfer window opened on Tuesday, making midfielder Heaps officially rostered with the Summit and eligible for match play, adding an extra layer of excitement. 

It will also be a reunion for Colorado stars who grew up playing in the Centennial State, including Heaps, Denver defender Janine Sonis and Portland/USWNT forward Sophia Wilson (Smith). Wilson, who is from Windsor, returned from maternity leave in March after the birth of her daughter. 

“It’s a dream matchup,” Summit president Jen Millet said. “Welcoming Sophia back and having Lindsey be part of the first match at Centennial is incredibly special. We hope it’s a little rivalry for sure. Two USWNT players going head to head — it couldn’t line up better.”

Heaps, a Golden native, played for the Colorado Rush throughout her entire youth career, while Wilson and Sonis, a Highlands Ranch product, both played for Real Colorado. Wilson’s early development came from playing for Arsenal Colorado until she was 13-years-old. 

Heaps and Wilson have developed a friendship from playing together on the Thorns and the U.S. women’s national team, including at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Both were also on the gold-medal-winning squad at the 2024 Summer Olympics. 

“The cool thing is you’re never sure of a player’s journey,” Jared Spires, CEO of Real Colorado Soccer, said. “Whether it’s interest, growth, love, injuries, none of that was a factor with (Wilson). She is explosive, fast, dictates how you attack as a team and is also a fantastic kid.” 

Before Thursday, Heaps was unaware that Wilson was a free agent after this season but says she will “get working on” recruiting the forward and thinks Wilson “wants to be here.” 

“Love that girl,” Heaps said of Wilson. “After being a mom and coming back in, she has grown in a way. A different player and person. She has a sense of freedom and poise to her game. She’s doing incredible. I hope she doesn’t do that Saturday, but we know she’s a focal point for Portland and we’ve got to do everything possible to stop her.”

Sonis has also left a legacy since her days with Real Colorado, going on to play over 100 NWSL matches and representing Canada on the international stage, most notably on the gold-medal-winning team from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Spires has known Sonis since she was 8-years-old and will be rooting for both the Summit and Wilson in this weekend’s game in Centennial. 

“You hope they play well and Soph scores two and the Summit wins 3-2,” Spires said with a laugh. 

All three players, as well as the other Colorado natives in Saturday’s match, generate excitement because they are not only fun to watch but easy to root for. Several young fans on Saturday, including at least 100 expected Real Colorado players, will no doubt be inspired by the star power on the pitch.

“Kids want to be like them,” Spires said. “They impact people globally because they’re good people. These young adults are living lives that we can be proud of on and off the field.”

What they’re thinking

Denver Summit FC president Jen Millet praised the club’s fans and supporter section ahead of Saturday’s match. Denver’s supporter group, the 14ers, has grown into an inclusive and passionate community with all events, tailgates and travel completely funded by its members. 

The group is also passionate about giving back to the community and being advocates for players. 

The 14ers feel “anxious joy” from not knowing what to expect Saturday at Centennial Stadium (the third venue of the season), but are excited to have a place that feels like their own. 

“Every supporter group is different,” Emily Walsh, the 14ers community liaison, said. “We are excited to welcome the team and for them to feel settled in their own space and embrace it. We also have that excitement and get the chance to define what that looks like.”

The 14ers will go head-to-head with the Rose City Riveters, Portland’s renowned supporter group. 

What I’m seeing

• In a rematch of last year’s NWSL championship, Gotham FC and Washington Spirit set an attendance record of 42,175 at Citi Field on July 15. The game, which ended in a 1-0 Gotham FC win, was the largest women’s sporting event in New York history.  

• However, smoke from Canadian wildfires has impacted play in the U.S. Northeast,  including the Gotham FC match mentioned above. The air quality in major cities like New York, Toronto and New Jersey has raised concerns for Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, according to Sports Illustrated. 

What I’m hearing

Denver practiced inside Centennial Stadium for the first time Thursday, and the team is impressed. The 12,000-seat stadium, just steps away from the CommonSpirit Performance Center, will bring a more intimate feel to games and include a supporter section behind the goal. 

“I love it. I think the color is most impressive,” coach Nick Cushing said. “I’ve said all along we want to make progress and consistently evaluate games, practice and the evolution of facilities. For me, we are moving forward. We are not where we want to be point-wise, but there is a huge opportunity here and an even bigger one now with this facility.”