The National Women’s Soccer League 2027 free agency period opened July 1, and some notable names are pursuing their next steps. 

The league’s free agency period began July 1 under its collective bargaining agreement with the NWSL Players Association, allowing eligible free agents to begin negotiations for their 2027 Standard Player Agreements.

At the start of the window, teams can negotiate future contract terms with any free agent and players or agents can reach out as well. 

The NWSL released a list of 126 free agents, including five from Denver Summit FC: Jordan Baggett, Camryn Biegalski, Devin Lynch, Jordan Nytes and Faith Webber. All five players’ contracts are through Dec. 31. 

Lone Tree native Meg Boade recently earned a contract extension with Denver through 2026, but is not listed as a free agent. It should also be noted that the NWSL transfer window opens Tuesday, meaning midfielder Lindsey Heaps will be available for the Saturday game against the Portland Thorns at Centennial Stadium. 

Denver general manager Curt Johnson hopes that having Heaps, along with positive things in the organization like the CommonSpirit Performance Center, will help attract more talented players. 

Here’s a look at the Summit’s free agents: 

• Jordan Baggett: Baggett has been on maternity leave this season and likely won’t return after having her baby in May. The midfielder signed a one-year contract with the Summit on Dec. 9, 2025, after three years with Racing Louisville FC. She did not make any appearances in 2025. 

• Jordan Nytes: The goalkeeper and Aurora native has not yet played this season but is part of a competitive position group that includes Abby Smith, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and recent addition Kate Asman. Nytes signed with Denver after a prolific career at the University of Colorado, which included three Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

• Devin Lynch: Lynch, a midfielder, has appeared in all 12 games this season (987 minutes) and has recorded two shots and zero goals. Lynch joined the Summit after four years at Duke, where she helped the Blue Devils to back-to-back NCAA College Cup appearances. 

• Faith Webber: The 23-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Summit on Jan. 17, but joined the Tampa Bay Sun of the USL Super League on loan for the rest of the season in a trade for forward Tash Flint. Webber set a program record at Utah Valley with 70 career goals. 

• Camryn Biegalski: The defender signed a one-year deal with Denver with a mutual option for 2027. The Illinois product has not made any appearances this season but has played in the NWSL since 2020 and was part of the Washington Spirit’s 2021 NWSL Championship run. 

There are several notable players on the free agency list, including Windsor native Sophia Wilson, whose contract with the Portland Thorns runs out at the end of 2026. While it would be a Coloradoan’s dream for Wilson to come home, the Thorns announced they are “actively pursuing a contract extension for Wilson.” 

Wilson, who represented the United States during the international break, is currently playing on a $1 million player option for the 2026 season, making history with the first seven-figure contract year in NWSL history. 

While it is not confirmed if Denver will pursue Wilson, Johnson said in a press conference Wednesday that the club looks for players with “Colorado DNA.” 

Other players to watch include Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle, Chicago Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. 

Last season, Berger helped Gotham FC to a NWSL championship and became the eighth goalkeeper in league history to record 10 or more shutouts. She also represented Germany on the international stage, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Her teammate, Lavelle, joined Gotham FC in 2024 and led the team to last year’s championship, earning NWSL Championship MVP. Lavelle brings a stacked résumé, including 2019 and 2024 Olympic gold medals with the women’s national team. 

Chicago Stars captain Naeher is in her 11th season with the club and was the starting goalkeeper in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. Last season, Naeher finished the 2025 season with 75 saves, five penalty kicks faced and 2,069 minutes played across 23 starts and appearances. 

The transfer window is critical for improving rosters, but especially for new teams like Denver. 

“You want to win a championship as soon as possible,” coach Nick Cushing said. “I’m happy with the team’s progress, but always looking to improve. Mentality is key … mentality to embrace (losses) and move forward from that is critical to me.” 

What I’m thinking 

• While Denver’s result July 3 was disappointing coming out of the break, it has a chance to bounce back against the Houston Dash on Sunday. In their first meeting, the Summit won 4-1 and Houston sits behind Denver (No. 10, 15 points) in the league standings at No. 12 with 14 points. The Summit had several chances against Kansas City, but errors and lack of composure prevented it from capitalizing, despite holding the majority of possession time. 

• Next week’s match against the Portland Thorns will perhaps be the biggest one of the season so far. It will be opening day for the 12,000-seat Centennial Stadium, the debut of Lindsey Heaps in a Summit uniform and a homecoming for Windsor native Sophia Wilson. Heaps and Wilson played on the USWNT during the June international break. A must-watch.

What I’m seeing

• Denver forward Tash Flint was listed as out for the July 3 match availability report, but is still practicing with the team. The forward fractured two ribs, according to Cushing and is doing non-contact technical work with her availability being pain dependent. Flint’s last match was on May 23 against the Utah Royals, and she co-leads the team with four goals. 

• Golden Glove goalie Kat Asman is settling in as the Summit’s newest addition after being acquired on loan from the Orlando Pride. Asman spent the 2025-26 season on loan with the United Soccer League’s Lexington SC (LSC) and had a league-record 12 clean sheets. Asman was all smiles after practice Friday and said being in the facilities in Centennial has made her feel like a professional soccer player for the first time in her career. 

What I’m hearing 

• Denver’s 3-0 loss to Kansas City on July 3 was coach Cushing’s “second-worst loss” as a coach. Cushing was visibly frustrated following the loss, saying Denver “played right into (Kansas City’s) hands.” The Summit entered the match with 4.4 expected goals. 

• It seems like Summit goalie Pauline Peyraud-Magnin is moving on after the transfer window opens: “Pauline was exceptional; it was more a timing piece in that she came in three preseason games in and Abby already had consistency in her performance. Abby was able to put in real high-level performances, and I want to see that in every position.”

— Coach Cushing on Peyraud-Magnin and the Denver goalie room. 

• “The support here for our club is immense. I know every time I come here with the U.S. women’s national team, we feel the support and love for the game. I’ve seen the sellout crowd and support … last week at the game, I thought, ‘This is amazing.’ So why can’t it be a host city?”

— Summit midfielder Lindsey Heaps on Denver as a host city for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.