Orlando, Fla.- In case you missed it, Denver Summit FC secured their first point this season with a draw against Orlando Pride in Orlando on Friday night. Although the team showed improvements across the board following their loss to Bay FC for their season opener, the team will need to work to improve going forward. Here’s five things to look for when Denver clashes with the reigning NWSL Champions Gotham FC.
Denver Summit @ Gotham FC
When: Wednesday, March 25th at 5 p.m. NT
Where: Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey
TV/Streaming: Victory+
Organization in the midfield:
Denver Summit has frequently looked disorganized in the midfield. Midfielders have struggled with positioning, passing, and marking, leading to breakdowns offensively and defensively. For example, back-to-back turnovers by Regan in the Orlando game resulted in two shots on goal (Regan also had the foul in the Bay game, leading to a goal off a Bay set piece).
Looking ahead to Gotham, if midfielder Delanie Sheehan can offer her expertise as an NWSL veteran (Sheehan was unavailable due to illness for Orlando), the organization could improve. Denver faces off against a challenging Gotham midfield composed of Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, and Savannah McCaskill. Consequently, Denver’s midfield of NWSL newcomers (Flint, Regan, and Lynch) will need to be up to the task of locking these NWSL veterans down.
Creating shots on goal:
Denver’s offense was hamstrung in the Bay game as the team shifted to a low block following a red card to Janine Sonis. Against Orlando, Denver should have been much more productive. However, both games the offense has failed to impress. In game one, Denver had one shot on target(Kossler’s first goal).
During the second game against Orlando, Denver had only two shots on target. For comparison, Orlando had 11 shots against Denver. Denver needs to create more opportunities for forwards to take accurate shots on target in order to pick up wins.
Defending against Gotham’s high press:
Gotham is well known for a dangerous high press, and Denver has struggled when the high press has been employed against them thus far this season. Denver will need to not make passing and marking errors when under intense pressure, as well as give up fouls in key areas.
As seen against Boston, Gotham rookie attacher Jordynn Dudley drew 11 fouls, including the second yellow which sent Boston centerback Bianca St-Georges packing. Denver cannot fall victim to the same mistakes. Cushing will likely be looking to consistently make quick, accurate passes along with through balls to exploit the high backline.
Player availability:
Player availability could help make the game easier or harder for Denver. Captain Janine Sonis will return from her red card suspension and should make an immediate impact. As noted previously, the debut of Drlanie Sheehan could also prove helpful.
Other returns such as Jasmine Aikey (MAC Hermann winner and NCAA champion) will have to wait until next season as the club announced Monday Aikey will be out on SEI (Season Ending Injury — ACL). On the flip side, Gotham was also missing players this week, with USWNT players Midge Purce and Jaedyn Shaw out due to injury. Should Purce and Shaw return, Denver will have an even stronger attack to defend against.
Goalkeeping magic from Abby Smith:
Abby Smith was no doubt the player of the match against Orlando. She made several impressive saves to keep the team in the fight. With 10 saves against Orlando, Denver will be relying on Smith to keep her momentum going and provide a brick wall for when shots leak through the defense. During the match, Smith recorded her 250th career save.
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Matt Pollard 
John Babiak 