[NWSL] Denver Summit FC Let Slip Lead in 3-2 Loss to San Diego Wave
(Denver = Won Jeong) Denver Summit FC hosted its second home match of the season on April 25, welcoming league-leading San Diego Wave for its sixth match of the 2026 campaign.
San Diego entered the match atop the standings at 4-1-0, while Denver came in ranked 10th with a 1-1-3 record.
Denver came out aggressively from the opening whistle, pressing San Diego with pace and purpose. Utilizing Ryan on the left flank and Oke on the right, Denver efficiently attacked through the wings and stretched the field.
San Diego, by contrast, found less success on the flanks, in part due to Denver’s tight defensive pressure. Instead, the visitors looked to break through centrally using quick one-two passing combinations.
Both sides lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing defensive stability while maximizing numbers in midfield and attack. Denver deployed Pickett and Sonis to anchor the back line and central channels, while Ryan and Oke connected midfield buildup to the attacking third, helping generate offensive momentum.
Denver struck first in the 15th minute through striker Kössler. Ryan delivered a sharp pass into the left side of the box, where Kössler made a timely run and calmly redirected it with her right foot into the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal showcased Denver’s quick attacking tempo.
Denver doubled its lead in the 31st minute. Flint latched onto a clever pass from Kössler and fired a shot that deflected off a defender. Flint reacted first to the rebound and headed it home to make it 2-0.
San Diego responded early in the second half. In the 49th minute, midfielder Godfrey broke through Denver’s defense with a one-two combination and pulled one back to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The equalizer came in the 56th minute. A right-sided corner found defender Wesley, whose direct header beat goalkeeper Smith to level the score at 2-2.
San Diego completed the comeback in the 64th minute when Dudinha’s dangerous cross deflected off Denver defender Pickett and into the net for an own goal, giving the visitors a 3-2 lead.
Despite Denver’s strong start and home-field advantage, San Diego controlled many of the key statistical categories, including possession and passing accuracy, and capitalized on second-half momentum. Denver, meanwhile, was left to rue missed chances and a lack of late-game resilience as a two-goal lead slipped away.
The match marked Denver Summit FC’s first-ever game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Stadium, but the historic occasion ended in disappointment as San Diego escaped with a dramatic road victory.
