Heading into the April international break with six points in five games is nothing to scoff at for this Denver Summit FC team. But it could have had more after Saturday’s match at Seattle Reign FC.
Unlike in its home opener against the Washington Spirit last week, Summit FC was able to create plenty of chances. Like last week’s match, though, the scoreline reflected an underwhelming 0-all draw.
Summit FC’s next game is in three weeks: a home match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the San Diego Wave. At the end of Saturday’s slate, Denver is sitting in ninth place in the NWSL, sandwiched in a three-way tie between Bay FC and 2025 NWSL Shield winner Kansas City Current.
“I’m content with six points in five games. I think we possibly could have had more, but the reality is that six is what it is,” Summit FC coach Nick Cushing said after Saturday’s match. “I’m really happy with the fact we’ve got three clean sheets. Really happy that we’re undefeated since the first game of the season. I think we probably should win the Washington Spirit game, … We definitely should win tonight. I’d rather be sitting here saying we’re doing well, but we can do better.”
Summit FC did most of its damage in the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s match at One Spokane Stadium after a clumsy start to the second half. Giveaways plagued Denver to start the period and gave Seattle momentum, but Summit responded encouragingly, particularly after right back Ayo Oke subbed on in the 60th minute.
Straight away, she gave Summit FC life. With speed on the right wing as essentially a pure winger rather than her usual right-back role, Oke gave Reign’s defense fits, especially when another midfielder joined and created overloads. That would draw another defender out and leave a gap at the penalty spot.
Carson Pickett received the ball in that area in the 67th minute and rifled a shot wide. Janine Sonis had a similar chance later on but had her shot blocked — one of eight on the night.
Each team had two big chances to illuminate the scoreboard in the first half. For Summit FC, Sonis overhit a cross in the fifth minute, and it nearly found its way into the net, but instead pinged the crossbar for a goal kick. Later, Melissa Kössler turned neatly after receiving a long ball inside the box, then fired a tight-angled shot, which also hit the crossbar.
On the other end, Reign used a direct, long-ball method to get its chances. On a couple of occasions, in the 10th and 15th minutes, Reign attackers were through on goal and only had NWSL goalkeeper of the month Abby Smith to beat. But Smith came up huge. First, a reaction kick save on Maddie Mercado, then another solid stop to deny Emeri Adames on the counterattack.
“Itap expected from her. She’s unreal. I think she’s an unbelievable keeper,” Pickett said. “I know that for me and the rest of our back line, we know that when it comes down to a couple chances, she’s going to have our back.”
Seven Summit FC players were called up to their national teams, including Oke and midfielder Yuna McCormack for the U.S. Women’s U-23 team. Lindsey Heaps, who will join Summit FC this summer, made the senior USWNT for its match at DSGP against Japan on April 17.
