[NWSL] Denver Summit FC Makes History Before 63,000 Fans in Scoreless Draw with Washington

March 28, 2026 Won Jeong

(DENVER = Won Jeong) Denver Summit FC, the newest addition to the NWSL, created a night for the history books. While the win remained elusive, the club set a record that speaks louder than any scoreboard.

At noon (local time) on March 28, a staggering 63,004 fans flooded Empower Field at Mile High for Denver’s inaugural home opener against the Washington Spirit. This massive turnout shattered the previous NWSL single-match attendance record of 40,091, marking a monumental milestone in the history of American women’s sports.

The atmosphere was electric, even if the goals were absent. Both sides engaged in a fierce tug-of-war for mid-field dominance, but the final clinical touch was missing. Denver recorded 9 shots to Washington’s 10, with both teams managing only 2 shots on target apiece.
Denver goalkeeper Abby Smith proved vital, delivering a crucial late-game save to secure the clean sheet and a point for the home side. Washington’s Sandy MacIver was equally composed, ensuring the match ended in a 0-0 deadlock.

In the post-match press conference, Manager Nick Cushing could not hide his awe of the local support. “I felt the chills walking out of the tunnel,” Cushing remarked. “The roar from 63,000 fans was an incredible motivator for our players. Denver has officially proven it is a true soccer city.”

Addressing the team’s first scoreless outing of the season, Cushing added, “We lacked a bit of precision inside the box. We need to develop more attacking options to break through the kind of heavy marking we saw today.”

In its debut season, Denver Summit FC currently holds a steady record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss (5 points). Having already checked off their first franchise win and a record-breaking home opener, the club now turns its attention to a league powerhouse: the Portland Thorns.

The upcoming match on April 4 at Providence Park will be a homecoming for Delanie Sheehan, who faces her former club. Whether Denver can overcome the pressure of a hostile road environment and reignite their scoring form remains the focal point for fans.