Denver Summit FC Open New Stadium With a Win

A rookie defender came off the bench and won the first match ever played at Centennial Stadium by scoring her first ever NWSL goal. That's how Denver Summit beat the Portland Thorns 2-1 — and it wasn't even the biggest story on the field.Last week the underlying numbers made this a coin flip leaning Denver, and the process showed up: Denver out-shot and out-passed a third-place Portland side and finally solved the midfield problem that's haunted them all year, on the day Lindsay Heaps made her long-awaited debut in front of a sellout crowd of 12,372. This week Kate breaks down what actually worked, the defensive questions that got exposed and then bailed out, Natalie Means' first professional goal, and the new stadium — the good, the not-so-good, and the Santa Fe Yards renderings that hint at what's next. Plus postgame audio from Nick Cushing, Heaps, and Janine Sonis. And and EXCLUSIVE interview with the game winning goal scorer herself, Natalie Means.— LINKS — ▶Watch this episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@5280pitch📝 Full written recap + Santa Fe Yards renderings: www.5280pitch.comShop the store: https://5280-pitch-shop.fourthwall.com📬 Never miss an episode — join the email list: www.5280pitch.com— FOLLOW — Instagram (breaking lineup news + reactions): instagram.com/5280pitchNew episodes every Tuesday. Bonus episodes on some Fridays.— ABOUT — The 5280 Pitch covers Denver Summit FC — women's soccer at altitude, hosted by Kate Hanson. A rating and a review is the best way to help it grow.