K. Kurtz (OG)(94)
Summit Sees End to a Historic Inaugural Season
ALINEACIÓN DE DENVER: Smith, Kurtz, Sonis, Oke, Gaetino, Lynch (74’ Regan), Heaps ©, Sheehan, Ryan, Kössler (74’ Brazier), Flint (81’ Thomas)
Unused Substitutes: Asman, Reid, Means, Bonner, Yuzuki, Yuna,
NORTH CAROLINA LINEUP: Sheridan, Shiragaki, Jacobs ©, Weatherholt (89’ Thompson), Williams, Koyama, Parkinson (74’ Bøe Risa), Jackson (89’ Wickenheiser), Bia (67’ Paul), Sanchez, Schlegel (67’ Ijeh)
Unused Substitutes: White, Younce, Staude, Hase
Cómo sucedió
Denver Summit FC narrowly missed a postseason berth on Decision Day with the club taking a 1-0 defeat at North Carolina to conclude a record-breaking inaugural campaign. With Seattle taking three points tonight, North Carolina also saw its 2026 playoff hopes fall away.
Denver controlled first-half possession with a 53.2 percent advantage and outshot North Carolina three to two on target, resulting in a 0-0 score at halftime. The scoreless battle persisted late into stoppage time until an unfortunate ricochet own goal put North Carolina ahead to stay.
Despite the playoff miss, Denver made history in 2026, setting league records for goals scored by a first-year franchise, with its 53 goals tying for the third-most goals in NWSL single-season history. Denver co-captain Kaleigh Kurtz added a final 90 minutes tonight to secure her league-record fifth-consecutive ironwoman season and the first for a Denver player.
Denver concluded its season with 41 points and a 11-11-8 record, earning the most points for an expansion team in an inaugural season in franchise history.
Datos y cifras
- Kurtz became the league’s first five-time ironwoman after playing every minute of the Summit’s inaugural season, holding the longest active streak in the NWSL playing 12,922 consecutive minutes across 144 matches.
- Summit keeper Abby Smith made five crucial saves on the night, good for her fourth most of the season.
- The Sunday night matchup saw the return of forward Ally Brazier who missed seven matches from late August to early October … On the night, Brazier saw 16 minutes total.
- A 2-0 win for Gotham FC secured them the 2026 NWSL Shield with the San Diego Wave, Washington Spirit and Kansas City all capturing quarterfinals home matches to be played against Angel City FC, Portland Thorns, Utah Royals and Seattle Reign.
Mirando hacia el futuro
Denver looks ahead to 2027, seeing the NWSL slate kickoff on February 11.