San Diego, Calif. – “A Denver Summit Sandwich.” That’s how the NWSL+ stream described the game at the full-time whistle. Nick Cushing’s side traveled to San Diego to take on the Wave in a Friday night clash. It was a game of Denver Biscuit, San Diego seafood, Denver Biscuit if you will.
Cushing rotated the starting lineup in the previous match, a late win against Utah Royals. While those rotations weren’t necessarily the difference in the game, players kept their spot. Yuna McCormack was in midfield. Ally Brazier was up top with Natalie Means out wide.
The match opened with energetic pressing from the visitors. The front three were aggressive, leading to half chances. The Denver Sandwich turned after the opening minutes. San Diego had more of the balls. They created space inside the attacking half and ran forward to create chances.
On 10 minutes, Melanie Barcenas had a shot from the middle of the box. It was a routine save for goalkeeper Abby Smith. It was her 300th save in NWSL play. She is now 12th all-time.
Wave seemed inevitable as Summit’s defense was just too wide open. Barcenas would have her moment in the 35th. Off a turnover, she dribbles to the top of the box and beat Smith despite tight marking from Devan Lynch. The half ended 1-0.
The first half was complicated by a 16th minute substitution. Eva Gaetino had a slight issue with her hamstring Meg Reid subbed in. Cushing said postgame it was precautionary and encouraging.
Despite a slow start to the second half, Summit stayed in the game. The “Next Moment Mentality” showed itself on the hour mark. Yaz Ryan combined with Janine Sonis for the second time in two games. It was a cross from Sonis and a header from Ryan to make it 1-1.
The match opened up after that. Ayo Oke cooked at right back going forward. Tash Flint and Melissa Kössler had chances off the bench. The match ended 1-1.
Cushing summed up the game well postgame:
“I don’t think we were playing so well in the first half. As a group we were just a little bit disorganized. Second half, we fixed some things. We made some changes. Everybody defended in the moments that we needed. It’s a point gained for us.”
Yaz Ryan scores again:
Janine Sonis now has four assists on the season. This is Yaz Ryan’s fifth goal of the season. For the second straight match, they combined on a goal to help Summit get a result. Their contributions will be critical to Summit’s playoff push. Ryan is becoming an important building block. Sonis could make NWSL Best XI.
“When she (Sonis) has the ball, she has the ability to put it anywhere. We trust each other. I just wanted to be there for her cross because I asked for it. I was glad we were able to tie it,” Ryan said.
There is some concern that the club is top heavy in goal contributions. Sonis and Ryan have 11 goals combined. The rest of the team has 12. Lindsey Heaps missing for a third straight game was tough. They need more balance in the attack and help at some point.
“We’re relying at the minute, our right back and a left winger. We are putting that demand and expectation on our players,” said Cushing.
“We just need a little more composure in the final third. We need to put these away to win games,” added Oke.
Gaetino and Reid:
Summit maybe need some competition at center back. Meg Reid’s been third choice for most of the season. This unplanned sub appearance was her first game in a month. She did well enough. Had a good clearance to prevent a tap in for Ludmila de Silva. The team was still too open at times. San Diego punished that more in the reverse fixture back in May.
“Meg has a really great mentality. She never really complains about anything. It’s a hard situation that she’s in. She’s a great team player. I think that showed tonight,” Oke said of her teammate.
“Their biggest chances came from our giveaways which was frustrating,” added Cushing.
“Second half, great reaction. Showed fight. We had the biggest chances in the game. As we evolved as a team, we have to have the ruthlessness as a team to get three points on the road.”
Abby Smith, 300 Save Club:
You could say this after most of Denver’s games this season: Abby Smith is amazing. She makes spectacular goals. She bales teammates out. When the team is struggling, she keeps them in matches. She did that in the first half of this game. Multiple breakaways that she dealt with.
It was a fitting night that she got her 300th save in NWSL. She’s now 12th all-time. Should could hit top 10 by the end of the month.
“Abby is doing the same in the moments when we’re under pressure. Collectively, if we can get that from the group… That’s the evolution of us,” said Cushing.
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.
Eamon Shaw 