NWSL newcomer Denver Summit FC is quickly building steam, making three aggressive signings this week that point to the first-year club's immediate postseason ambitions.
First on Wednesday, the 2026 expansion team added 23-year-old attacker Yuzuki Yamamoto to its roster, signing the WE MVP away from reigning league champion Tokyo Verdy Beleza on a two-year contract — with a mutual option for the 2028 NWSL season.
The Japan international will join the Summit following the 2026 AFC Asian Cup, with her team taking on Australia in Saturday's confederation championship match.
Swelling the Summit's ranks with even more firepower, Denver anteed up a reported $800,000 in total transfer fees plus $200,000 in allocation funds to bring on Houston Dash duo Delanie Sheehan and Yazmeen Ryan on Thursday.
Midfielder Sheehan and forward Ryan have been linking up since 2023 when the pair helped Gotham FC to a franchise-first NWSL championship, with the attackers later joining the Dash in back-to-back trades in December 2024.
"We are thrilled to add both Yazmeen and Delanie to our group," said Denver Summit FC GM Curt Johnson in the club's Thursday announcement. "Both players have won trophies and had tremendous NWSL careers. They will immediately help us both on and off the field."
How to watch the Denver Summit this week
After falling to Bay FC 2-1 in last weekend's inaugural match, the Summit — with new talent in tow — will hunt a franchise-first win when they take on the Orlando Pride on Friday night.
The match will kick off live at 8 PM ET on Victory+.
