BREAKING: Nick Cushing Hired as First Denver Summit FC Head Coach

Denver, CO – Burgundy Wave can confirm Nick Cushing has been hired as the first head coach in Denver Summit FC history. Cushing most recently was the interim head coach at Manchester City Women in the FA Women’s Super League.

“Nick brings world-class experience, a passion for player development, and a tactical vision that will excite Summit supporters. He’s won major trophies and is the right leader to guide us into our first season and beyond,” said Denver Summit FC General Manager Curt Johnson.

Hired officially in July, Cushing has spent more than 15 years in the Manchester City Football Group. He began his coaching career in 2008 at the academy and young levels. He became the head coach of the Manchester City Women first team in the expanded WSL. From 2013-2020, he won six trophies, including the 2016 league title, two WSL Cups, and the 2017 FA Women’s Cup.

“Denver Summit FC’s commitment to building a world-class soccer organization really inspired me. Our team will play an attacking form of the game that excites our stadium and makes things difficult for our opponents,” said Cushing.

In 2020, the 40-year-old made a move to MLS affiliate New York City FC as an assistant coach. He was a part of the staff when the club won MLS Cup in 2021. He was promoted to head coach in the summer of 2022, winning the Campeones Cup a few months later. The team gradually regressed over his time there. He was fired at the end of 2024 after a playoff loss to New York Red Bulls.

Cushing has a great tactical background from all his time coaching City teams. He worked with numerous top players at City Women. His time in American wasn’t as encouraging. That NYCFC team regressed and was less entertaining the further they got from winning MLS Cup. He seems to have good ideas and develops his players. If you’re hiring someone with no prior NWSL experience, you could do a lot worse. If gets a talented roster and gets acclimated to the league quickly, they will play fun possession football in 2026. They will win games.

Now we’ll see what the club does roster build wise given the Ally Watts rumor.

Photo Credit: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

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