Denver Summit Lose at Washington Spirit as Lindsey Heaps Penalty Called Back by VAR

Washington, D.C. – Another game against a quality NWSL opponent. Another game where the scoreboard doesn’t fully reflect the scoreboard. On Sunday night, Denver Summit traveled to Washington Spirit. It was their first meeting since “The Kickoff” at Mile High, Summit’s first home game, which ended scoreless.

Summit head coach Nick Cushing kept the starting lineup unchanged from the win over Portland. Lindsey Heaps was again captain in the center of a 4-3-3. Trinity Rodman started in attack for Spirit with partner Ben Shelton in attendance pitch side.

The first half hour was open with Summit playing with fire. The Spirit press turned the ball over and led to opportunities in space. When the visitors were good on the ball, they created chances. This was basically a basketball game on a soccer pitch.

On another day, both teams score multiple goals. Heaps got turned over just two minutes in but Rodman couldn’t get the eventual shot on target. Minutes later, Yaz Ryan hit the post a screamer from the edge of the box. Olivia Thomas in her second straight start, had shots from distance where she could have dribbled closer to create a better chance with her speed.

Washington reasserted themselves in the second half, almost scoring off the kickoff. Heaps had a good look on a header she couldn’t get on target.

With all the chances and poor finishing, of course it was a golazo that decided the game. In the 61st, some great hold up play saw Spirit play out for their own penalty area. Ayo Oke made one of her few mistakes against Rodman. Trinity delivered a good ball to the top of the box. Center forward Sofia Cantore sent the ball off the crossbar and in.

On another day, Summit comeback to win 1-2. Heaps appeared to draw a penalty on 72 minutes, cutting across the box between two defenders and going down. There was a contact on both sides of her, but with the number 10 going to ground, VAR called back the foul.

Rodman could have had a penalty as well in the game. It was tough for Summit given last week where VAR denied Janine Sonis a penalty then Sonis conceded one to Sophia Wilson.

Ally Brazier had a shot across goal three minutes into stoppage time that could have equalized. She then hit the post in the final minute of play. The match ended 1-0.

Performance vs results:

Players and coaches spoke about the positives of the performance but frustration that it’s not led to a result.

“I’m between frustration and getting a little bit more patient with the team. They’re (Spirit’s) top of the league. We came here and dominated,” Cushing said in his opening statement. “I’ve never had a season where I’ve been (my team’s been) so dominant on the road.”

“We’re creating chances. At some point the tide will turn. If we only focus on the negative, that is a really crappy way of playing this sport. There’s a lot of good that came out of this game,” added goalkeeper Abby Smith.

Shots were 17 to 13 Summit, but Denver had just one on target. Denver did double up Washington’s xG, 1.40 to 0.70. Cantore’s goal had an xG of 0.07.

Thoughts on Heaps and Oke:

The team is still working to integrate Heaps into the attack. It was difficult at times with Spirit man-marking and clogging up the half spaces.

“She’s a very smart intellectual player. She hasn’t come in and taken over like crazy. She does have quite a demanding leadership style. She’s found a great way to learn about each and every single person on this team and be able to get the best out of us. It’s just going to be continuing to get her on the ball,” Kaleigh Kurtz told Burgundy Wave.

The center back also spoke highly of Oke. It was a tough night for the right back. She did well to contain Rodman. She took a few knocks in the first half and needed a visit from the medical staff. She played 80 minutes, the last 25 on a yellow card.

“She’s very consistent with wanting feedback from players, from coaches. She’s very honest about the way that she plays. It gets better and better,” Kurtz said.

The upcoming fixtures are critical:

Good performance in a loss aside, Summit have a big week coming up. Three straight home games, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday. With North Carolina Courage and Boston Legacy also below the playoff line, those are six-pointers.

Summit host Boston Sunday August 2 at 7:00 p.m. MT.

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