Washington Spirit (0-2-1) face a formidable challenge this afternoon. Just two days after their last match, they’re preparing to play expansion team Denver Summit FC (1-1-1) at high elevation and in front of the largest hostile crowd in NWSL history.

The Summit are expecting over 60,000 fans for their first ever home game, likely breaking the league record of 40,091 set last year when the Spirit played Bay FC at Oracle Park. (The Spirit won 3-2). Washington’s Hal Hershfelt is not concerned about the crowd, though.

“As a player, I feel like this is like, personally, the moments that you look forward to,” she said. “It goes to show how women’s sports, especially like this league, has been growing. The fact that we can draw in crowds, like, of this magnitude, it’s just so insane.”

Expansion teams in their first few matches are often seen as pushovers, but Denver are coming off of a big win — a 2-0 shut-out of reigning NWSL Champions NJ/NY Gotham FC. The Spirit, meanwhile, are still seeking their first win of the year, having drawn their last two through a combination of not converting chances and bad defensive mistakes.

“I feel like we’ve been moving in the right direction with, like, the themes that we want to implement,” Hershfelt said, adding that she feels the Spirit have been dominant in possession but brought down by moments of weakness that this “tough and cutthroat” league doesn’t allow.

Used to large and boisterous crowds at home in Buzzard Point, Herhsfelt said she was looking forward to the opportunity to play the villains this afternoon.

“I personally love it,” she said. “I feel like for us it’s an opportunity to kind of like, assert our dominance in like a different environment with a huge crowd, regardless of who they’re cheering for. I mean, I hope we put on a show.”

Key Player: Trinity Rodman

With Denver likely seeking to control the midfield as they did against Gotham, Washington will need sharp, creative play from their wingers. It’s a great opportunity for Trinity Rodman, who led the team with six shots on Wednesday, to provide some leadership and help push her team to a win.

Watch Out For: Melissa Kössler, Abby Smith

German striker Melissa Kössler has made a big splash in her first few weeks in the league. She’s scored a goal in each of Denver’s first three games and shown a remarkable accuracy, with every one of her shots staying on target.

On the other end of the pitch, keeper Abby Smith could put the Spirit at risk of another high-chance, low-scoring game. She’s made 19 saves in three games, 86.4% of the on-target shots she’s faced.

Challenges: While they’ve shown a capacity to create chances, the Spirit will need both power and precision on the resulting shots to make it past Smith.

Previously: This is the first time Washington has played the 2026 expansion team.

Denver Summit FC Availability:

Out: Jasmine Aikey (Knee – SEI), Jordan Baggett (Maternity Leave), Camryn Biegalski (Knee)
Questionable: Eva Gaetino (Leg)

Washington Spirit Availability:

Out: Ashley Hatch (Maternity Leave), Aubrey Kingsbury (Maternity Leave), Casey Krueger (Maternity Leave)
Questionable: None

Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Kickoff time: 2 p.m. ET
Referee: Joshua Encarnacion
Available TV: CBS
Available streaming: Paramount+