San Jose, Calif.- Months of over-the-top anticipation for Denver Summit Football Club’s faithful has finally come to a head. The green, blue and white officially kick-off season play today at PayPal in San Jose, California.
They traveled to the bay area in advance of their first ever match in the North Women’s Soccer League to take on Bay FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 pm MT.
How to watch: Cable TV and streaming on ion. On local tv on The Spot Denver 3 (channel 3) from Denver7.
The team was announced as the 16th expansion team on January 30, 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110 million. Sources tell Burgundy Wave the reported number is an overestimate. The majority owner of the team is IMA Financial Group CEO, Robert Cohen, has fueled the organization with cash and enthusiasm since the NWSL Commission, Jessica Berman gave in the green light.
Summit enters the season with a mountain of promise, both on and off the pitch. On the field, General Manager, Curt Johnson, has amassed a mix of veterans and several gifted upstart NWSL players, and so, in just a matter of 13 months.
Since then, it has been a sprint to fill a competitive roster, hire a coaching staff, start to build a temporary stadium and training facility, and above all, recruit a die-hard fan base. And Johnson has been involved in it all.
Read More: Why 51 is Denver Summit GM Curt Johnson’s favorite number
Denver Summit FC roster:
His sturdy backline is made up of Abby Smith, who arrived from Houston Dash; right back, Ayo Oke, from Liga MX Femenil side Pachuca and the USWNT senior and U-23 programs; Janine Sonis from Racing Louisville FC and the Canada Women’s National Soccer Team, and left back, Carson Pickett from Orlando Pride, and the U.S. U-17, U-23 and senior women’s program.
They will be a few yards away from international goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who Johnson signed in February after a very successful career with Juventus Women’s and France’s Women’s National Team. Johnson believes that she is one of the top four goalkeepers in the world.
Coming soon to the midfield is the acclaimed Lindsey Heaps. The USWNT captain, Heaps will not only anchor the midfield, but also champion the team both in the changing room and on the pitch. “We just felt like Lindsey was the ideal piece as we work to build a strong team, as well as with the DNA of Denver and Colorado,” Johnson said during a recent press conference.
Surrounding Heaps will be Canadian Emma Regan and Lourdes Bosch. Both will carry the load until she arrives in June.
A creative playmaker, Bosch joins Denver from A-League Women’s side Melbourne City FC. She led the league with nine assists and added four goals in 23 appearances during the club’s undefeated regular season.
The gritty Regan, comes to the Mile High City via AFC Toronto in 2024. She served as captain and recorded three goals while leading the team to win the inaugural Northern Super League Supporters’ Shield. Prior, she launched her professional career with Danish club HB Køge. Regan made 32 appearances, scoring three goals, and helping the team secure the domestic league title. She is also a member of the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team. She recently played with the team in the 2026 SheBelievesCup.
Up top, Summit fans should keep an eye out for striker Melissa Kössler. She adds even more worldly experience to the team. Since 2022, the natural attacker made more than 50 league appearances and scored over 20 goals for TSG Hoffenheim in Germany’s top women’s soccer league – Frauen-Bundesliga.
On the international level, Kössler has represented Germany, earning senior caps starting in 2023. She was part of Germany’s U-17 European Championship winning squad in 2017 and played in the U-19 European Championship finals.
Complementing Kössler will be Spaniard Nahikari Garcia. She was the club’s first international signing. Another capable goal scorer, she boasts a decade-plus of experience in Spain’s top play league. The fleet-footed forward had impressive seasons with Athletic Club Femenino, where she scored 12 goals across all competitions.
Previously, Garcia starred for Real Madrid Femenino and Real Sociedad Femenino. Her most impressive accolades include being Real Sociedad’s all-time leading scorer and delivering the club’s first Copa de la Reina title in 2019 with the match-winning goal in the final. Expect Garcia to be a top consistent contributor to the team’s offense.
Read More: Denver Summit Roster Analysis
A first look at Bay FC:
With the chess pieces now in place, now it is up to Denver’s Head Coach, Nick Cushing, to energize his players up to the first whistle in San Jose, and have a run at a revamped Bay FC team. Last season they ranked 13th with a 4W-8D-14L record.
Similar to Cushing, Bay FC’s new Head Coach, Emma Coates, is trying to ignite passion and competitive play in her team. The club has plenty of new adds,, including USWNT star Claire Hutton and English defender Anouk Denton. Hutton joins the club from the Kansas City Current in a $1.1 million transfer, one of the largest transfer fees between NWSL clubs.
Coates has a reputation for developing riding players. Half of her roster consists of players under the age of 24. She joined the club in December after serving England’s U-23 Women’s National Team and a career serving top-flight football throughout the United Kingdom
After Denver’s last practice before flying to Northern California, Cushing was asked what he expects from Bay FC: “For them, the pressure on them is just as much as it is on us. You know, it is their third, fourth year, so we know they’re going to come really hungry and with it with a huge desire to get this season.” He continued, “Her (Emma Coates) first step into the professional
game, so an opportunity for her. She’ll have a huge energy, and enthusiasm behind her too. She’ll do something on the first roll. So you know, we know it’s going to be a super good game.”
The game will be televised on ion. Kick off is set for 4:30 MT
In metro Denver, Summit FC Supporters Group, The 14ersBaseCamp, is hosting a watch party at Number 38.
Predictions: Summit have looked good in preseason. Nick Cushing has great tactical ideas. Heaps will bring reinforcements in the summer. I think this team makes playoffs. Probably as a lower seed. Let’s say 7th. That said, first game on the road against another bubble team. It will be tight but Bay win 1-0.
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via Tip Jar. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.
Matt Pollard 