Everything about Denver Summit FC’s home opener in March was perfect, except the outcome. 

While a draw with the 2025 NWSL championship runner-up is nothing to scoff at, coach Nick Cushing really wanted a win that day for the fans. He still does. 

That game at Empower Field at Mile High is long in the past, but the Summit is looking to flip the script in a rematch with the Washington Spirit on Sunday. The past four months have seen many positive changes for the expansion team, including the addition of Lindsey Heaps, setting up a competitive game at Audi Field. 

“We have much better confidence than the first game,” Cushing said. “We played with a freedom in that game and the fans helped, but we understand each other more. Our expectation is a lot higher. We know we are competitive in this league.”

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. and can be streamed on Victory+. 

The Spirit (9-3-3, 30 points) has been on a strong trajectory to take the No. 1 spot in league standings, while Denver (5-4-5, 19 points) sits in 10th, still below the playoff line. The Summit is riding high after a big 2-1 win over the Portland Thorns, and Washington is coming off a 2-1 win over Boston Legacy FC. 

“Beating Portland was exciting and rewarding for the hard work we put in, but (it) was also rewarding for the fans,” goalkeeper Abby Smith said. “It reaffirms our belief that we are a really good team and can beat any team day in and day out.”

The Summit has a tough road challenge ahead with the Spirit’s star Trinity Rodman, who has helped Washington reach the top of the league standings. Rodman currently has seven goals in 15 starts and was on the U.S. women’s national team roster during the international break. 

Still, Denver looks much different than it did in Week 1 and is confident in its ability to keep the momentum going as long as it focuses on itself.

Here’s a look at some of the changes since 63,004 fans showed up for Denver: 

New facilities 

The Summit began its season practicing at Infinity Park in Glendale, but now has the CommonSpirit Performance Center, state-of-the-art practice fields and the 12,000-seat temporary Centennial Stadium. 

The newest addition to the Summit’s campus is described as a modular facility that features multiple seating options, including loges, suites and a club. It also includes a designated section for the 14ers supporters section on the south side of the stadium. 

“You couldn’t beat the energy in that place,” Emily Walsh, the 14ers community liaison, said. “The acoustics worked out so the drums and chants from the supporters section carried naturally throughout the stadium for the first time since we’ve had a game at home.” 

The entire process for these projects took a little over a year, and the permanent stadium at Santa Fe Yards will begin construction in the fall. 

Before the game against Portland, the club announced updated renderings of the stadium in Denver, with “social spaces throughout the stadium venue, prioritizing places where fans can connect, celebrate and build matchday traditions together before, during and after the game.”

“Rob Cohen and everyone he has brought into the fold have been intentional about community feedback in the design of the stadium, which has been evident,” Walsh said. “To know it will be a world-class facility built for women is pretty incredible, and you can see that in the attention to detail and intentionality of all the features.” 

A new captain in town  

Perhaps one of the biggest changes for the club is the addition of USWNT forward Heaps, who signed a four-year contract with Denver. The Golden native officially joined the club after the transfer window opened July 14 and made her debut July 18 as part of the starting lineup.  

Heaps has taken the role of captain, but that hasn’t changed the relationship between her and Janine Sonis, who wore the armband before Heaps’ arrival. 

“It was not really a conversation,” Sonis said after Denver’s win over Portland. “She’s an incredible leader, and I have absolutely no problem putting that armband on her. There’s so much mutual respect and admiration.”

Heaps had fans before she arrived, but had by far the most popular jersey at the Summit’s opening at Centennial Stadium. She has her own merchandise collection on the Denver Summit FC team store and will continue to bring national attention to her hometown team. 

“She gives every other player a little more confidence,” Cushing said of Heaps on Friday. “When you look at your captain, having so much presence and being talented, that really helps. For us, it’s about understanding we are growing, but we’ve got to move forward now; we can’t take steps backward.”

New lineups 

The lineup from March 28 was significantly different from the Summit’s most recent game: 

March 28 starting XI: Kossler, Ryan, Flint, McCormack, Lynch, Sheehan, Pickett, Kurtz, Reid, Sonis, Smith 

July 18 starting XI: Oke, Gaetino, Kurtz, Sonis, Sheehan, Lynch, Heaps, Ryan, Thomas, Flint, Smith

Defender Kaleigh Kurtz, midfielder Devin Lynch and goalkeeper Smith are the only players who have started all 14 games, with Cushing still experimenting with different lineups. Sonis has likely solidified her starting spot with six goals in 13 starts, but after that, the lineup is expected to continue evolving. 

The starting lineup against the Houston Dash on July 12 was Cushing’s most experimental yet and included rookie forward Olivia Thomas in her first NWSL start. It also included Tash Flint, who is back from injury after leading the team in scoring before the international break. 

The club’s coaching staff has also evolved with the addition of new assistant coach Stephen Kirby. The club announced his addition June 4, finalizing a staff of six. Kirby is an English football and Women’s Super League veteran. 

On July 1, Denver added goalkeeper Kate Asman to the roster on loan from the Orlando Pride. Smith still has the starting job, but Asman, a Golden Glove goalkeeper, has added depth to a vital position.  

What they’re thinking 

Washington midfielder Molly Skurcenski is from Centennial and is thrilled to watch her hometown play at Audi Field this weekend. The rookie has not yet played on her short-term injury contract but says it has been a special experience training with the Spirit. She is still figuring out what’s next but says playing for Denver is the end goal. 

Skurcenski played for the Colorado Storm and Rush youth club teams and Grandview High School with Summit goalkeeper Jordan Nytes. 

“Last time I was on this talented of a team was when I was 12 on the Storm with (Nytes),” Skurcenski said. “Playing with Trinity and other talented players … they push me every day.”

What I’m seeing

• The USWNT will take on world No. 1 Spain for two matches in October, it was announced July 13. The first is Oct. 10 at Audi Field, followed by a match on Oct. 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa. Spain is the reigning Women’s World Cup champion, while the U.S. is the defending Olympic champion. The minimum ticket price for Oct. 10 is $304 on the official ticket website. 

• Denver has extended rookie Lynch’s contract through the 2028 season, with a mutual option for 2029. Lynch, an Illinois native, originally signed a one-year deal but has been a key contributor all season as one of three NWSL rookies to start every game. Before signing with the Summit, Lynch played four seasons at Duke. 

What I’m hearing

• Fans had mostly positive experiences at Denver’s opening game at Centennial Stadium. While there were growing pains like ticketing issues and limited water stations, it was still an energetic and fun time for fans despite the heat.
• One fan said Centennial was easier to navigate than Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium. The seats instead of bleachers were also appreciated, as were the shaded walkways behind the seats. The club has already taken action to address feedback with several surveys sent out to fans. 

• Denver traveled to Washington on Thursday for its Sunday match. The extra time has allowed more team bonding and rest for the away team before it faces the Spirit at Audi Field.