NWSL roundup: Denver Summit knock off defending champ Gotham for 1st win

Denver Summit FC won their first match in club history in dramatic fashion, stunning defending champion and host Gotham FC 2-0 on Wednesday in Harrison, N.J.

Melissa Kossler became the second player in league history to score in team's first three regular-season matches in its inaugural season.

Kossler received a long through ball from Yuna McCormack, beating Gotham goalkeeper and fellow German Ann-Katrin Berger to open the scoring in the 58th minute.

Forward Natasha Flint nicked the ball off an indecisive Berger 15 minutes later, and chipped it into the back of the net to seal the deal for the Summit (1-1-1, 4 points)

Former Gotham (1-1-1, 4 points) goalkeeper Abby Smith got the start for Denver, winning her first clean sheet for her new club with four saves on the night. Yazmeen Ryan and Delanie Sheehan also suited up for the visitors against their former team.

Denver captain Janine Sonis returned to the lineup after missing their Friday draw against Orlando, having been sent off in her club debut. Kossler's and Flint's strikes marked the first goals the defending champions conceded this season after Berger recorded clean sheets in her two opening matches.

Royals 1, Spirit 1

A late push from Utah allowed it to secure its first point of the season after something of a fortuitous draw with host Washington. Mina Tanaka came off the bench to equalize in the 84th minute off a crisp feed from Cece Delzer.

Rebeca Bernal scored the first goal for Washington (0-1-2, 2 points). Sofia Cantore's strike from the edge of the penalty box deflected off Utah's Kaleigh Riehl and spun toward the goal, Bernal guiding the ball over the goal line with a powerful header.

Royals (0-2-1, 1 point) goalkeeper Mia Justus stood tall between the posts with five saves on the night, including two in-close off a streaking Trinity Rodman. Sandy MacIver had three saves for the Spirit.

Pride 3, Stars 0

Barbra Banda continued her lethal form to open the 2026 season with her third goal in three matches as Orlando earned its first win of the season over Chicago in Evanston, Ill. The Zambian international opened the scoring in the 13th minute on an assist from Ally Lemos.

Lizbeth Ovalle had an even more impressive outing for the Pride (1-1-1, 4 points), beating Alyssa Naeher with a surprise backheel in the 22nd minute to make it 2-0. Ovalle provided the assist off the corner on Hannah Anderson's goal 13 minutes later.

It was a lackluster home opener for the Stars (1-2-0, 3 points), who play their home matches at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium this year. Chicago forward Jordyn Huitema was out with a hip injury.

--Field Level Media