Denver Summit FC has a coach, tapping former Manchester City manager Nick Cushing to serve as the NWSL expansion club’s inaugural leader this week.
The hiring subsequently rounds out the team's front office build, with Denver coach Cushing joining president Jen Millet and GM Curt Johnson ahead of the team’s 2026 kick-off.
Denver is also stocking its player roster. The team signed Orland Pride star Ally Watt earlier this week, with Watt also expected to join the Summit in 2026.
"Denver Summit FC’s commitment to building a world-class soccer organization really inspired me," said Cushing in a team statement. "We have a passionate, committed fanbase and we have to put a team on the field that replicates that."
"Our team will play an attacking form of the game that excites our stadium and makes things difficult for our opponents," he continued. "We want to create a winning team as well as a great experience for all of Colorado."
Cushing most recently acted as Man City’s interim manager after the WSL side fired coach Gareth Taylor in March, returning to helm the team he coached to six major trophies from 2013-2020.
"In order to be successful right away, you need people that have experienced environments like this, have built organizations, and have had success," said Curt Johnson, Denver Summit FC general manager.
"Nick brings world-class experience, a passion for player development, and a tactical vision that will excite Summit supporters. He’s won major trophies and is the right leader to guide us into our first season and beyond."
Denver Summit FC scored its first-ever player this week, with ESPN reporting Monday that the 2026 expansion side has landed 2024 NWSL champion and Colorado product Ally Watt from the Orlando Pride.
The 28-year-old forward has logged one goal and one assist in her 13 matches so far this season, and posted three goals and four assists in Orlando's record-breaking 2024 campaign.
"One thing that makes us really unique is this talent pool of Colorado players," Denver Summit GM Curt Johnson told ESPN about the club's aim to welcome homegrown athletes. "Colorado has been fertile ground for this sport for a long time. We're going to dig into that, and we're going to hire people that have made their names as a result of their upbringing in soccer in Colorado."
In return for Watt, Orlando will receive $75,000 in expansion allocation money and $37,500 in transfer funds.
While the trade is a done deal, the Denver Summit immediately loaned Watt back to the Pride for the rest of the 2025 season, with Orlando also gaining additional salary cap relief with the temporary loan.
Such intra-league loans are new to the NWSL, introduced in part to help incoming teams Denver and fellow 2026 addition Boston Legacy FC build out their rosters without an expansion draft.
Both franchises have a cache of over $1 million in allocation money available to add players beyond the league's salary cap and transfer thresholds.
With that in mind, the Boston Legacy has opted to stock up on both international signings as well as up-and-coming US talent in recent weeks.
The newest NWSL team officially has a name, with the Colorado addition announcing Tuesday that they've landed on Denver Summit FC ahead of the franchise's 2026 debut season.
"Denver Summit FC" earned top billing in the team's "Name the Club" community outreach campaign, which generated over 15,000 fan votes.
"It was vital for us to name our club in collaboration with our community," president Jen Millet said in the club's Tuesday statement. "Our crest, colors, and brand are representative of Denver and all of Colorado. It embraces our aspirational goals and pioneering spirit to build the best soccer club in the world."
Along with a sunset the same hue as Colorado's famed red rocks, the Denver Summit crest also features a green and white mountain, reflecting the city's geographic surroundings.
"Our goal is to build a club that is always pursuing excellence on and off the field," said controlling owner Rob Cohen. "Much like the picturesque Rocky Mountains, our charge is to stand apart while always reaching for new heights."
Awarded a new NWSL team in January 2025, Denver is navigating a shorter runway than fellow 2026 expansion side Boston Legacy FC, though the club is already breaking sales records and has plans for a dedicated training facility and stadium in the works.
Denver has also been busy on the soccer operations side, with ex-Manchester City manager Nick Cushing reportedly close to becoming the club's inaugural head coach.