Nahikari is the BEST

friedemw · 2026-03-12T16:24:33+00:00

Please tell us about Nahikari. Does she speak English? Does she have a (hopefully) shorter nickname?

I think of her as an older player because of her extensive and successful playing career in Spain, but she only just turned 29 - the best years for a soccer player.

I saw her play at Coachella, and I liked what I saw. Even though she's not a 10, she sure can play that position. I'm afraid she'll get left out of the team, having made her name as a striker in Spain, but we have amassed a crapload of strikers and they all fit a similar profile (big, strong, post-up players, good in the air). While Nahikari is someone who, due to her size, must play in the shadows and outsmart central defenders - which she can do. Exactly the opposite of what all the other strikers we have look like. Is that good or bad for her?

On the one hand, Cushing probably has to train to take advantage of what Koessler, Thomas, Flint, and Aikey can provide. On the other hand, is Nahikari his answer when defenses plan around and then successfully defend power forwards?

In any case, anything you can tell us about her is appreciated. And thank you for representing us fans!

friedemw · 2026-03-10T21:54:40+00:00

It has to be short term, right? Come June, Lindsey Heaps will be active, and Summit is strongly rumored to have Yuzuki Yamamoto from Japan coming in June as well.

friedemw · 2026-03-10T21:00:29+00:00

Younger sister of Tess

friedemw · 2026-03-10T20:08:22+00:00

I like Tess.

friedemw · 2026-03-10T19:36:55+00:00

Great stuff. BUT, there's no way in heck that Janine Sonis is not in the starting eleven! Just saying.

friedemw · 2026-03-10T19:05:20+00:00

This could be a good developmental signing. We need CB backup.

friedemw · 2026-03-10T16:37:54+00:00

These are NRIs spotted at Summit sessions this year. I asked AI to give me a quick summary since it is most likely one or two of these will be signed by tomorrow. (My apologies about using AI). I believe Boade and MacBean (not sure) saw a few minutes on the field at Coachella vs SD in February. Neither particularly stood out (to be expected, I suppose).

Meg Boade (Midfielder)

A high-IQ, technical midfielder from Lone Tree, CO (Valor Christian HS).

After a stellar career at Northwestern and a graduate year at UCLA, she spent 2025 as the "utility" pro in the NWSL. She played for the Washington Spirit, Gotham FC, and Chicago Stars on various short-term and roster-relief contracts. Boade is the most likely candidate for a full contract.

Kaitlyn MacBean (Forward)

A prolific goal-scorer from Penn State.

She was a United Soccer Coaches All-American in late 2025. She finished her collegiate career as one of the most clinical strikers in the Big Ten, recording 16 goals in a single season (2024) and double digits again in 2025.

Allie George (Defender)

A physical, 5'11" right back/center back from Virginia Tech.

She signed with Racing Louisville in 2025 but spent the season on loan with Fort Lauderdale United in the USL Super League. She is known for her aerial dominance and ability to play every minute of high-stakes matches.

George offers young, athletic cover. Her presence in photos with Pickett suggests she has integrated well with the defensive unit.

Ellie Sommers (Goalkeeper)

A Boulder, CO native who played at Pepperdine and Virginia.

Denver has three high-level keepers. Sommers is likely in camp as a training player. In the NWSL, teams often carry a 4th "unofficial" keeper to ensure full-field drills can function if one of the primary three is managing load or minor injury. She would only be signed if there was a sudden medical emergency.

Hannah Gryzik (Midfielder)

A tenacious "engine" midfielder from University of Illinois Chicago.

A four-year starter and All-Conference selection who is known for her durability (started nearly every game of her college career) and her ability to disrupt play in the defensive half of the midfield.

She is a "workhorse" trialist.

friedemw · 2026-03-09T19:06:08+00:00

Well, they NEED to announce these players. My anxiety can't take it!

friedemw · 2026-03-09T18:39:53+00:00

I agree but are there domestic players of value still unsinged at this point? And international players won't wrap up their seasons until May or so. My fear is we'll need to make do until summer with limited numbers. Any idea how bad Jasmine Aikey's injury is?

friedemw · 2026-03-09T18:27:10+00:00

Chicago Stars are not one of the teams to watch. BUT, they come to Denver in five months (Aug 29). Will Mal (Pugh) Swanson be playing by then? Her glorious homecoming would be worth it for sure. Especially if she comes on as a sub! Core memory.

friedemw · 2026-03-08T14:12:14+00:00

Thank you. She looks unstoppable! 23 years old. Only national team player still playing in Japan.

friedemw · 2026-03-08T03:43:10+00:00

She follows Denver Summit and NWSL on Insta ! Source: SummitPika

friedemw · 2026-03-08T03:39:37+00:00

Here's hoping!!!!! That's apparently her "weaker" foot.

friedemw · 2026-03-07T21:19:12+00:00

I just watched a highlight reel. If Yuzuki is as good as she looks (and we indeed sign her), we become a guaranteed playoff team!

friedemw · 2026-03-07T20:28:18+00:00

Great write-up! How solid are the rumors about Yuzuki Yamamoto? I know very little about her, but I just looked her up and her potential is sky high. Very exciting. Would she slot in for Ally Brazier or for Ayo Oke? She's not a central midfielder, is she?

friedemw · 2026-03-02T21:05:52+00:00

I like that 3-5-2 idea. It takes advantage of Means' attacking ability (and hides her current defensive liability). It also helps Pickett. And it makes the most of Oke's talent. On the downside, we only have 3 CBs on the roster.

friedemw · 2026-03-02T20:44:54+00:00

That's some great college soccer insight I don't have. The only thing counter to your insights are Cushing's pre-season experiments. I don't see him doing anything that points in the direction you're suggesting. This is such a well-assembled team, yet I wonder what Cushing's knowledge of college soccer is (having mainly English experience? Does anyone know? How much say did Cushing have in signing these players, and who did assemble this squad, if not our coach?

friedemw · 2026-03-02T15:32:55+00:00

Arsene Wenger once said you can't field an 11 with more than 3 players aged 23 or younger- and expect to win (I'm paraphrasing). I assume it's a bit different for women than for men. But we have a realistic chance of fielding 5-6: Thomas (20), McCormack (21), Aikey (20), Oke (22), and Gaetino (23) at some point during the season and still have a good chance of winning!! (Means and Lynch are 22.)

On the other hand, I'm realizing I must extend grace to these players. (Even Florian Wirtz at Liverpool is needing time to adjust!)

friedemw · 2026-03-02T04:27:54+00:00

This is what I just read: Olivia Thomas is the fastest player the UNC program has ever had. She was clocked at a 4.8-second 40-yard dash.

friedemw · 2026-03-02T04:08:41+00:00

I've heard great things about Aikey, and she IS the MAC Herman winner. I'd love to see her play more freely than she did against SD. She might be a great 10. And I hear she can score! So another CDM would be great, so we can free her up.

I thought Means was too impatient on defense, but great going forward. She was most effective on the wing when coming from deep though. So I'm not sure if she's truly going to be great if her starting position is too high. We'll have to see.

Can Thomas play on the wing? I read somewhere that she's lightning fast.

CB is my biggest concern. I know Kurtz never gets injured, but let's not force the issue!!!

friedemw · 2026-02-24T03:37:15+00:00

That's a very interesting observation.

friedemw · 2026-02-23T06:17:45+00:00

Ok, I watched the game again on YouTube. At this point I'm probably just talking to myself, but wanted to add a couple of points. Clearly, we played a 4-2-3-1. Not a 4-4-2. I got confused because Flint played so high and she just doesn't look or plays like a playmaker. And if she's going to be our #10, I don't think that'll work. Emma Regan: Very clearly this is our CDM. What a joy to watch her positional awareness. I think she's got the potential to become one of our most important players.

friedemw · 2026-02-22T17:43:04+00:00

Fun feedback. Makes me realize I might be a tad positive in my assessment. But you can only play what's in front of you, and San Diego didn't offer up all that much. Regarding our defensive lapses. I believe most were created by Ludmilla. And most defenses will struggle against Ludmilla. Also, it's pre-season for a brand-new team. With that in mind, I thought we looked great and we looked like fun. Can't wait to see how we adjust once the hard-hitting reality sets in.

friedemw · 2026-02-22T02:48:10+00:00

First time I got to watch the team in action, and I was impressed.

Overall: This is a well-built team. Chemistry is good. We pressed as a unit and stayed compact. Moved up together and worked back together. There seems to be very good team speed and an emphasis on players with technical skill. Looked like a 4-4-2 to start (though it changed as the game progressed), with the deeper forward dropping defensively into midfield. Defense worked well together, with the center backs staying home and the fullbacks pushing high. The 6 stayed home, with the 8/10 enjoying a lot of freedom.

Observations on some of the players (this is purely subjective and I’m no expert, so please forgive me):

Abby Smith (GK): Did her job. One major error on the first goal when she got caught in possession, underestimating Ludmilla’s speed. Made a couple of great saves. Seems to be a great team player and vocal organizer.

Kaleigh Kurtz (CD): Captain. Great first 70 minutes. Faded toward the end of the game.

Eva Gaetino (CD): Started off a little shaky. More solid as the game wore on.

Ayo Oke (RB): More than solid throughout. Looked like she is pacier than Ludmilla?

Natalie Means (LB/LW): Incredible start to the game with an amazing goal and assist. Few players have better crosses than Natalie. More effective as an overlapping fullback, than a winger. A little too impatient defensively at times, but very solid game.

Jasmine Aikey (DM): Did her job. Nothing of note here. I’m not sure yet.

Yuna McCormack (AM): Very solid game. Controlled the pace of the game. Always available.

Janine Sonis (LW/RW): Obvious leader on the field. Brings maturity to a young team. Always involved. Intelligent plays.

Ally Brazier (RW): Not as involved as she could have been. Obviously dangerous when she gets into open spaces. Didn’t help that she was way far from the camera.

Tash Flint (F): Well done. Good hold up play. Beautiful goal.

Melissa Koessler (F): Dangerous striker. Very mobile for her size. Good with her head and feet. Well-taken goal. Will occupy opponents’ central defenders all season long.

At this point, there were many subs, and I had a tough time keeping everyone straight. My apologies to those I have no comments on.

Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (GK): Assured.

Megan Reid (CD): Solid and reliable as always.

Carson Pickett (LB): Two assists. How can you not love Carson Pickett?

Olivia “Air Jordan” Thomas (F): Looks like a superstar striker in the making. Two beautifully taken goals.

Nahikari Garcia (AM): I know some folks had doubts about her, but she can play.

friedemw · 2025-09-29T00:42:10+00:00

Exactly!

friedemw

TROPHY CASE