Denver Falls 1-0 to the Thorns on the Road

DENVER LINEUP: Asman, Sonis, Kurtz, Gaetino, Means (64’ Oke), Regan (75’ Lynch), Flint (64’ Yuna), Sheehan, Ryan, Kössler (75’ Thomas), Brazier (82’ Yuzuki)

Unused Substitutes: Reid, Bonner, Pickett, Nytes

PORTLAND LINEUP: Arnold, Vignola, Perry, Hiatt, Calzada, Nijstad, Fleming, Tordin, Castellanos (64’ McKenzie), Lyles (71’ Hanks), Wilson

Unused Substitutes: Reyes, Bogere, Padelski, Harvey, Wood, Messner

Match Recap

Playing in their first back-to-back road matches since before the midseason break, the Denver Summit FC (6-8-6, 24 pts) met the Portland Thorns (11-6-4, 37 pts) in Providence Park on August 22. After pulling out a 2-1 upset in their inaugural Centennial Stadium opener on July 18, the Summit came up short in Portland, falling 1-0 to the Thorns to cap their regular season head-to-head record as a 1-1 draw.

In what was their second franchise meeting since the Summit’s entrance into the league, Denver controlled majority possession in the first half with a 62.1% clip through the first 45’. Despite the strong defensive performance out of the gate, the Summit conceded the match’s opening goal in the 44’ as Sophia Wilson broke away in transition to score her 10th of the season, and what was ultimately the matchwinner.

Despite six total looks in the second half of matchplay and an overall majority possession of 62.5%, the Summit was unable to score an equalizer, walking away with the loss and extending the Thorns’ club-record home unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions (W10, D4). Portland remains unbeaten this season when leading at half (7-0-0).

Movement in the Starting XI

With Abby Smith out of the lineup for the first time this season, the match saw the first NWSL start of goalkeeper Kat Asman, with Tash Flint, Emma Regan and Melissa Kössler all reentering the starting lineup. With Smith’s absence, four-time Iron Woman Kaleigh Kurtz remains the sole Summit player to feature in every minute of every match this season.

The Back Line

The Summit’s defense led by Janine Sonis, Emma Regan, and rookie Natalie Means, came out blazing in Providence Park as they contributed to a performance that signified just the second time this season that the Thorns have been held to one or fewer goals at home. The Summit backline ended the matchup with 13 tackles won, 37 duels won and 20 total clearances. After holding the Thorns to the single goal scored, the Summit have now held 13 of their 20 (65%) opponents to one goal or fewer.

Asman’s Debut

Joining Denver in July on loan from the Orlando Pride, Kat Asman (26) stepped into the goal for her NWSL debut and managed to make five crucial saves, tied for the third-most in a match for Denver this season, keeping the Thorns’ squad to less than their 1.74 expected goals on the night.

Looking Ahead

The Denver Summit FC will make their return to Centennial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 29, to host Chicago Stars FC at 6:45 p.m. MDT. Fans can catch the action on ION, Denver7 or The Spot Denver 3. Don’t miss out on the action—secure your tickets for Aug. 29 and come cheer on the Summit!