By OkayGoal 
The 2026-2027 year is primed to be an amazing season with the NWSL expansion into Denver. With the hiring of former Manchester City Women coach Nick Cushing as the inaugural head coach of Denver Summit FC, the team is looking to build its roster from the ground up, bringing in NWSL veterans and Colorado natives.
Known for his attacking style of play, Cushing is also interested in building out a well-balanced team. “We want a bit of everything…For us, it’s about trying to work through the blend and the balance of the squad. It’s not going to be all Colorado players. It’s not going to be all attacking players. We have to blend the team and balance the squad to make sure that we have a team that can be competitive,” Cushing told the New York Times.
Rather than relying on a traditional expansion draft, which the league has moved away from in favor of more flexible acquisition rules, Denver has used its $1 million+ in allocation money to hand-pick a competitive spine.
The club recently made headlines by agreeing to transfer Ayo Oke from Mexico’s Pachuca. The $450,000 transfer fee for the 22-year-old U-23 USWNT star set a new record for the highest incoming transfer fee for an American player in the history of the NWSL. While primarily a right-back, Oke’s versatility allows her to push into the midfield, fitting Cushing’s fluid attacking style.
Joining her in the defensive third is “Ironwoman” Megan Reid, known for playing every single minute of her inaugural season with Angel City FC. She is paired with veteran Carson Pickett, a two-time NWSL Best XI selection (2021 and 2022), and former Chicago Stars FC player Camryn Biegalski, ensuring the Summit has one of the most experienced backlines in the league.
In goal, Denver has secured veteran goalkeeper Abby Smith, signing a multiyear contract through 2027. She has over a decade of professional experience and helped Portland and Gotham with championships in 2022 and 2023, respectfully.
Colorado native and offensive powerhouse Ally Watt was the first player signed by the expansion team, and brings 101 appearances and nine goals from her six-year career in the NWSL. After being acquired from the Orlando Pride, she was loaned back to finish the 2025 season but is now in Denver full-time to lead the Summit’s frontline. She is joined by Spanish striker Nahikari García, adding a decade of experience as a top goal scorer.
Other signings include Midfielder and Colorado native Joran Baggett from Racing Louisville FC, Midfielder Lourdes Bosch, a standout from Melbourne City, and veteran Ironwoman Kaleigh Kurtz, an accomplished defender who spent eight seasons with the North Carolina Courage, winning two Shields, two Challenge Cups, and two NWSL championships. Kurtz brings both strength to the backline and a championship spirit that will help guide Denver’s brand new team.
The new team officially starts the season on March 28, 2026 at the Empower Field at Mile High and will play the 2026-2027 seasons at the CommonSpirit Performance Center before it officially inaugurates its brand-new, women’s soccer stadium, officially approved by the Denver City Council. The stadium in Santa Fe Yards will seat 14,500 fans, include state-of-the-art equipment, and is expected to open in 2028.
Exciting play is coming out of Denver. Who else will we see on the roster?