DENVER — Janine Sonis scored in the 13th minute, helping the Denver Summit secure a 6-1 victory over Chicago in front of 63,000 fans at Mile High Stadium on Monday night, marking one of the largest crowds ever recorded for a women’s soccer match in the United States.
Sonis, who plays for both Canada and the Denver Summit, slipped behind the defensive line in the 13th minute before striking a shot into the right corner of the net. Her goal contributed to a commanding first-half performance that set the tone for the decisive win.
The match, part of the National Women’s Soccer League regular season, drew widespread attention for both the on-field action and the historic turnout. Sonis noted the significance of the crowd size, suggesting it underscored the long-overdue demand for top-tier women’s soccer in the region.
“The energy out there was incredible,” Sonis said in post-match comments. “To see that many people come out for a women’s game — it just proves a team like this was way overdue.”
Denver Summit coach Lindsey Heaps praised her team’s execution and composure throughout the match, particularly in the opening half when three goals were scored. The victory moved the Summit into contention for a playoff spot, with four regular season games remaining.
The 63,000 attendees exceeded the previous NWSL attendance record, which had stood at 43,000 earlier this season. League officials confirmed the figure included both tickets distributed and walk-up admissions.
Analysis: The strong turnout reflects growing interest in women’s professional soccer across North America, though sustaining such attendance over multiple seasons remains a challenge for leagues seeking long-term financial stability. The Denver Summit, founded in 2024, has quickly become a model franchise in terms of fan engagement and community support.
The Summit face Portland Thorns next weekend in their final home game of the regular season.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/01/janine-sonis-interview-denver-summit-moving-the-goalposts
Source: Guardian International
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Story synopsis gathered from: Guardian International — source
