Alright y’all, perhaps our toughest loss yet. What changes are you making going into next week?? For me I’d like to see someone else at striker. Kossler hides from the ball too much for my taste and isn’t fast enough. I also want Reid back in - she is much more steady than Gaetino.

Preview from Summit FC

Match Preview: Denver Summit FC vs. Kansas City Current, July 3, 2026

Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM MST
Venue: DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO

The Stakes

Independence Day weekend kicks off with a massive showdown at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park as Denver Summit FC returns home to take on the Kansas City Current. With both teams fighting for vital positioning in a crowded NWSL table, this match is set to be a highlight of the season. The Summit are looking to leverage home-field advantage to climb the standings, while the visiting Current arrive in Colorado after a loss in the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup championship match, eager to maintain their momentum in the top half of the league.

Current Form and Standings

The NWSL season is heating up, and the gap between playoff contenders is razor-thin.

• DENVER SUMMIT FC: Currently sitting in 9th place (15 points), the Summit are within striking distance of the playoff line. The squad is eager to recapture the momentum from their dominant mid-May run, and a win in front of the home crowd on July 3rd would be a massive statement for our expansion side.
• KANSAS CITY CURRENT: The Current arrive in Denver holding 6th place (21 points). Known for their high-scoring style, they represent a tough tactical test for our defense. Kansas City is looking to stay consistent as they push to remain among the league’s elite, making this a critical “six-pointer” for both clubs.

Players to watch

Denver Summit FC

• Melissa Kössler: The forward is a major threat in front of the goal, recently earning her first call-up to the German national team since 2024.
• Janine Sonis: A cornerstone of the defense, Sonis also contributes offensively, having scored four goals so far this season. She recently represented Canada during the June international break.

Kansas City Current

• Temwa Chawinga: The reigning back-to-back NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner is the clear player to watch. She has been in blistering form, recently securing a contract extension through 2029.
• Croix Bethune: A highly impactful midfielder who joined the Current recently. She is a former NWSL Midfielder of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and has experience with the USWNT.

Match Outlook & Fan Celebration

Pro-Tip for your matchday experience: Stick around after the final whistle! We are hosting a spectacular post-match fireworks display directly over the stadium. Come for the high-intensity soccer, stay for the show in the sky, and help us secure three points.

Get your tickets, wear your Summit colors, and let’s make it a night to remember. See you at the pitch!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Preview from the Burgundy Wave

Key Takeaways for Denver Summit vs Kansas City Current

 By Katherine Ammon July 3, 2026

Commerce City, Colo. – After closing out the first leg of the season with a win, Denver Summit FC hosts 2025 Shield Winners the Kansas City Current. Kansas City currently sits 6th in the standings while Denver sits at 9th. Here’s four things to look for when Denver takes on the Current and 2025 league MVP and Golden Boot Winner Temwa Chawinga.

The Match: Kansas City Current at Denver Summit

Summit’s Previous Result: 1-0 Win against Racing Louisville

Current’s Previous (Regular Season) Result: 1-0 Win against Boston Legacy

When: Friday, July 3rd at 7:30 PM

Where: DICKS Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado

TV/Streaming: NWSL+, Local Denver 3

Returning from Break

As Denver Summit returns from the summer break, Coach Nick Cushing will need to prepare the team to leap right into the fire. Typically, some NWSL teams show a dip in performance in their return from break, but with Denver’s current standings, they cannot afford to do this. The team’s 9th place spot in the standings currently leaves them in a tenuous playoff position. If the team can collect some wins to start off the second leg of the season, they can build momentum before other returning teams have the chance to catch up. 

Prior to the break, the team made simple mistakes that led to easy concessions. A foul in the box by Ayo Oke, a turnover by Eva Gaetino, and easy dispossessions in the midfield were all recent errors the team needs to clean up in the training leading up to their return.

Kansas City had a head start back from camp. Last week, the team fell to Gotham FC in the NWSL Challenge Cup (2-0). While the loss was likely demoralizing for the Current, it likely helped KC Coach Armas identify weaknesses prior to facing the Summit. However, there is also a possibility that coaching staff will not have the ability to correct the fatal errors in the quick turnaround.

Mid-Summer Movement

Although Denver has yet to announce any significant changes to their roster (interleague transfers have started but the international transfer window officially opens on July 14th), KC Current has seen movement already. Forward and USWNT star Ally Sentnor departed KC Current in the offseason in a move to Angel City FC. Despite being a consistent call up to the USWNT, Sentnor only scored two goals for the Current while starting all 12 games. While the extent of the impact of her departure is debatable, the Current will certainly be weakened by this loss.

TEMVP & Co.

The biggest threat to the Denver Summit will be Temwa Chawinga. Chawinga is one of the best players in the world and arguably the best player in the NWSL. The star forward has brought home two Golden Boot and two MVP awards. She has snapped records left and right, including records held by star athletes such as Sam Kerr (recently signed with Gotham FC). This season, Chawinga had a slow start as she returned from injury, but she won NWSL Player of the Week in May and scored her first-ever hat trick in the league.

Center backs Kaleigh Kurtz and Eva Gaetino cannot be caught sleeping against Chawinga. The MVP is also complemented by a lethal attacker on the wing with USWNT player Michelle Cooper, so the starting fullbacks will also need to be on guard and prevent as many crosses in as possible. Finally, although goalkeeper Abby Smith has been quiet recently, she will need to be active against the onslaught of shots that will be coming her way. Smith will look to follow the performance of Gotham keeper Ann Katrin Berger who shut out the Current despite numerous dangerous shots.

Player Availability

While Lindsey Heaps is set to join the Denver Summit for the second leg of their season, she will be unavailable for the July 3rd and 12th games. The international transfer window opens July 14, so on paper, she’s not a Summit player until then.

The USWNT captain has not been practicing with the team and was reportedly taking a break following her season in France. So even if she was available for selection, her minutes would be limited.

On a separate note, fans should keep an eye out as availability reports are released to see if Tash Flint is back from her rib fracture. Flint suffered the fracture against the Utah Royals (rib fractures generally take about four to six weeks to heal from – the fracture occurred four weeks ago). Flint has made a big impact on the Summit beyond even her four goals. The Brit’s presence on the field is immeasurable in terms of defending, pressuring the opposition, and maintaining composure in the midfield.

For KC Current, some starters’ availability is questionable. For last week’s Challenge Cup, starting goalkeeper Lorena and midfielder Debinha were unavailable due to injuries. With the midfield being one of KC’s biggest weaknesses, Debinha returning could be dangerous for the Summit. Without Lorena (2025 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year), the Summit will possibly be able to take advantage of a less experience keeper and sneak some easier goals in.

Huge thanks to the 14ers for hosting a great pre-match tailgate! You have already built a great group in your inaugural season.

We are heading to the Game against KC tomorrow (we are all long time Orlando Pride fans and part of the Black Swans supporters group) to see how you all are treating our beloved former players (Ally and Carson) while we are in town. Can you please let us know what is available to do around the stadium on game day? Any game day advice would be greatly appreciated. We can’t wait to see you all and share our experience with the rest of our flock the next weekend when we get to host KC back in Orlando. Thanks in advance.

How does Orlando not see how great she is.

Below what is available on ticketmaster currently, I am a season ticket holder and can't make the game. Please let me know if interested. Firework show after the game too.

lower-level, east-side sideline section

Information on where and how much parking will cost around Centennial stadium. Looks like a majority are $7-9. $20 to park across the street at the justice center

https://www.denversummitfc.com/transportation/

At the STM Summit event, PPM was not here and they announced Kat Asman joined the Summit (from Orlando). Is PPM going to Orlando to replace Moorhouse??? She certainly should be a starting GK (French NT starting GK). Thoughts??

Hi all, I’ve noticed at the Dicks games that there seem to be birthday messages on the smaller scoreboards under the big video board. I’ve been searching high and low trying to find out how to get a message on there for a birthday on Friday but can’t seem to find any info. Any leads?

Hi, I'm looking for 4 tickets for this game on 7/3 vs Kansas City Current. I can pay $50 per ticket. Please let me know if you are selling!

I heard they will start handing them out at the season ticket event on Saturday and now I’m wondering what your guesses are!

View Poll

Hi all, my family and I are traveling to Denver from MN in July and are really hoping to go to the game! However, tickets are so much more expensive than other games. Anyone have a group of 4 or more tickets they’re selling? Thank you from a fellow NWSL lover that doesn’t have a home team yet!