H. Hopkins (39)
Denver Falls in Kansas City
DENVER LINEUP: Smith, Sonis, Kurtz, Gaetino, Oke (64’ Means), Sheehan, Regan (64’ Lynch), Ryan, Heaps ©, Yuzuki (73’ Thomas), Flint (74’ Kössler)
Unused Substitutes: Reid, Bonner, McCormack, Boade, Asman
KC CURRENT LINEUP: Sharples, Ball, Robinson (73’ Gemelli), DiBernardo (82’ Hocking), LaBonta © (74’ Feist), Chawinga, Debinha (64’ Rodriguez), Cooper (82’ White), Hopkins
Unused Substitutes: Jordan, Scott, Suliafu
How it Happened
Despite an early 1-0 lead, Denver Summit FC gave way to the Kansas City Current Saturday at CPKC Stadium, falling 4-1.
Denver was quick to find the back of the net as Lindsey Heaps scored in the 13th minute, her third score in the last four matches. The Summit maintained their lead until the 35th minute, when defender Ayo Oke conceded a foul in the box on Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga. Denver goalkeeper Abby Smith came up big, diving to meet Debinha’s penalty kick in the bottom right corner of the goal for her first penalty save of the season while handing Debinha her first failed penalty attempt since 2019.
Despite the penalty stop, the Current managed to level the contest shortly after in the 38th minute, as Haley Hopkins capitalized on an assist from Michelle Cooper to tie the match at 1-1 heading into the break.
Coming out of the half in a 1-1 tie, both squads sat on even footing, having come away with four wins on the season when tied at the half. The Current were able to make quick work of the second-half opening minutes with Hopkins finding the back of the net and securing a brace in the 47th. Ten minutes later, Hopkins came back to secure a hat trick in the 57th minute, the first of her career.
Chawinga capitalized on Kansas City momentum, adding an exclamation point in the 76th minute with her 11th goal of the season to solidify the final score. With the 4-1 victory, the Current extended their home unbeaten streak to 30 games and leapt to sixth in the standings with 41 points on the season.
The Playoff Picture
As of the end of the match, Denver holds on to 10th in the NWSL standings with 35 points, sitting four points behind North Carolina and Angel City, each with 39 points. The Summit will face both opponents through its final four matches of the season, seeing ACFC on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Centennial Stadium before finishing their 2026 regular season campaign at North Carolina on Nov. 1.
Looking Ahead
Denver Summit FC travels to Chicago for a Sunday afternoon matchup on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. MT at Northwestern Medicine Field, the club’s final matchup before a two-week October international break. Only four regular-season matches remain, with Denver hosting its final home games at Centennial Stadium on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24. For more information or tickets, visit www.DenverSummitFC.com.