SAN JOSE — Denver Summit FC fell 2-1 to Bay FC in its inaugural match on Saturday at PayPal Park. Five thoughts from a momentous day in Colorado soccer history:
Abby Smith is as advertised. The veteran NWSL goalie was stellar. The two goals Smith gave up weren’t her fault; the first, by Bay FC’s Alex Pfeiffer, came on a wide-open look in the box. The second, via Joelle Anderson, was an uncontested, deflected shot from the top of the box. Smith made a handful of highlight saves in the second half, including stopping two 1-on-1 breakaways. Bay FC coach Emma Coates lamented her team should’ve scored more, but Smith (five total saves) kept them from pulling away.
The offense needs time to gel. Denver coach Nick Cushing wants Summit FC to be an aggressive, attacking side, but Saturday showed the offense is a ways away from finding its chemistry. Even before captain Janine Sonis was sent off with a red card in the 26th minute, Denver offense wasn’t applying consistent pressure. Summit FC finished with two shots on goal, just six shot attempts and controlled possession for only 36.8% of the time. Those stats won’t win many matches.
Youth movement. Denver’s six rookies are the most of an NWSL club this season, while the club also has eight players who started their pro careers in other leagues but had yet to play in the NWSL. Defenders Eva Gaetino, Natalie Means and Ayo Oke, midfielders Natasha Flint, Devin Lynch, Emma Regan and Yuna McCormack, and forwards Olivia Thomas and Melissa Kössler all debuted. Kössler scored the first goal in club history in the first half off a perfect cross from Sonis.
Sonis still rules. Cushing chose his words carefully following the loss, noting he didn’t think Sonis’ penalty was worthy of a red care while qualifying his opinion with the fact he had not yet seen the replay. By league rule, Sonis will serve a one-game suspension for being sent off. But Denver fans need not worry about Sonis, who remains a club pillar. And from the press box view, the red card issued to the Canadian Women’s National Team member on Saturday should’ve been kept at a yellow.
The looming X-factor. Summit FC needs to find a way to mold its identity, win a few close matches like the one they lost on Saturday, and stay relevant in the playoff race through the first third of the season. If they do that, come the June break in the schedule, Lindsey Heaps will be done playing in Europe and will arrive in Denver to join the club. The U.S. Women’s National Team captain, one of the best midfielders in the world, will provide an instant boost to Summit FC’s playoff odds.