For Denver FC: Bringing Professional Women’s Soccer to Colorado

DENVER – Professional Women’s Soccer is finally, finally, coming to the Centennial State. For Denver FC (a placeholder name) launched their website with an event scheduled for July 21 on Tuesday morning. The ownership group includes Jordan Angeli, former NWSL player and WoSo media savant. Ben Hubbard and Tom Dunmore are also involved. The group filed for a D1 bid late last year and is open to both the NWSL and USL W League, as first reported by The Equalizer. At this time, the club and ownership group are not partnered or affiliated with Colorado Rapids, per The Athletic.

“As a former professional player and Lakewood product, I grew up dreaming of one day playing professional soccer at home in Colorado,” said Jordan Angeli, one of the group’s organizers. “Our state consistently produces some of the best women’s soccer talent in the world. We can create a club that thrives from this pipeline and offers some of the best players in the world the opportunity to play in their home state in front of a devoted fan base and passionate women’s soccer community.”

The soccer community in the Front Range has speculated for years about an NWSL or USL W League expansion to the area. Youth soccer continues to thrive. Colorado has 19 players currently playing in the NWSL this year. Sophia Smith (Windsor, CO and Real Colorado) won the NWSL Championship last year. She’s a favorite to win the Golden Boot at the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Lindsey Horan (Golden, CO and Colorado Rush) is now a co-captain for the USWNT. If not for an injury, Mallory Swanson (Littleton, CO and Real Colorado) would have made it three Coloradans on the roster.

The first Colorado native or Colorado produced player to make it with this team will be an instant fan favorite. Get Horan back to the States, trade Chicago Red Stars for Swanson or Portland Thorns for Smith, and this team be a hit from day one. If they play at DSGP, they could outdraw the Rapids.

My colleague Rachael Kriger over at Equalizer Soccer tells me all the time that the #1 market NWSL players want to see expansion in is Denver. From a quality of life and fitness standpoint, this team could be a destination for domestic and international players. They’ll have no problem signing talent as a first division team. The USL W League began play last year. Denver could be a top market in their group and nationally in the second division. And if they nail it on the academy side . . .

The current iteration of the NWSL was founded in 2012. There are currently twelve teams playing in the 2023 season with plans for expansion to the Bay Area and re-expansion to the Salt Lake City. Utah Royals SC played from 2018-2020 and will be returning to the field in 2024. A Women’s equivalent of the Rocky Mountain Cup could be in order between The Court and whatever supporters’ group is formed around the Denver expansion team, possibly C38 related.

It is a good question where the team could play. They could play at DSGP, staggering weekend home games when the Rapids are on the road. They could explore smaller venues in the greater Denver area. At a second division level, a smaller more intimate stadium might better serve them to start. Infinity Park in Glendale maybe. KC Current built their own Women’s Soccer Specific Stadium. The Lakeside Raceway off Sheridan could fit a 10,000-ish soccer stadium.

This story is still developing. Burgundy Wave will provide updates as they happen.

Main photo curtsey of For FC Denver.

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