Centennial, Colo. – Failure was not an option in Denver’s game plan last night when they hosted NWSL playoff rival Seattle Reign. It was a match that they needed to win or face the reality that their playoff hopes were starting to diminish.
With the victory, 10th place Summit now stands two points shy of the final playoff spot. Above them in the league table are Angel City who they tied with a week ago in Los Angeles and Seattle.
NWSL Decision Day is on November 1, and single-game elimination playoffs open on November 6th.
“We’ve earned the right to be in that middle pack chasing for eight place,” Denver’s head coach Nick Cushing stated during his press conference. “The players really, really want it, so now it’s just about trying to put it together.”
His starting eleven certainty demonstrated their desire to win after waiting it out during a 65 minute weather delay in their changing room.
The first 40 minutes of play amounted to a rough and tumble affair. It was entertaining fast paced shoulder-to-shoulder soccer.
Both sides matched up well until Denver’s dashing midfielder Delanie Sheehan launched a rocket of a shot from inside of the box in the 44th minute. The ball hit the cros...