Denver Summit FC saw its three-match unbeaten run come to an end Saturday night, falling 1-0 to the Portland Thorns in front of 22,017 fans at Providence Park.
Sophia Wilson provided the difference for Portland, scoring her 10th goal of the season in the 44th minute. The Thorns carried that advantage through the second half to improve to 11-6-4 with 37 points while extending their club-record home unbeaten streak to 14 matches across all competitions.
Despite the defeat, Denver controlled 62.5% of possession and kept the match within reach throughout the night.
Goalkeeper Kat Asman played a major role in that effort while making her first career NWSL start. With Abby Smith unavailable due to injury, the 26-year-old Asman stepped into the starting lineup and finished with five saves. Asman joined Denver on loan from the Orlando Pride in July.
Portland generated 16 shots compared to Denver’s 12, but the Summit defense prevented the hosts from adding to Wilson’s first-half goal. Denver has now held 13 of its 20 opponents to one goal or fewer this season. The Summit also became just the second visiting team this season to hold Portland to one goal or fewer at Providence Park.
Kaleigh Kurtz continued her remarkable run of availability for Denver. With Smith missing her first start of the season, Kurtz is now the only Summit player to have played every minute of every match during the club’s inaugural campaign.
Denver fell to 6-8-6 with 24 points following the loss. The result also split the first two meetings between the clubs after the Summit defeated Portland 2-1 in the inaugural match at Centennial Stadium on July 18.
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