When Denver Summit FC goalkeeper Abby Smith was ruled out of Saturday’s game with an injury, there was a discussion of adding goalkeeping coach Karen Bardsley to the depth chart. 

The idea wasn’t crazy. Bardsley, a former American-born English goalkeeper, hung up her cleats in 2022, but is still fit as ever. 

“She trains a bit with the team and still has it,” Summit coach Nick Cushing said. “We decided not to (put her in), but she could still play.”

While Bardsley’s retirement remains intact, she has been key in building a competitive goalkeeping room in Denver. NWSL champion Smith has earned the top spot, with Kat Asman and Aurora native Jordan Nytes adding depth to the position group.

English goalie Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was also part of the group until being loaned to Crystal Palace F.C. Women. 

Bardsley’s personable coaching style has shown positive results for Denver. Through 19 starts this season, Smith has posted 63 saves and four clean sheets. In Asman’s NWSL debut Saturday, a 1-0 loss to Portland, the Georgia native posted five saves on six shots.

“I can’t give KB enough credit,” Cushing said. “She was my goalkeeper at Manchester City, so I know her work ethic and mentality well. I knew she would drive a high standard.”

Bardsley, who began her pro career in 2007, won eight major trophies, six under Cushing, with Manchester City during her stint from 2013-2022. She also had a successful international career, earning 82 caps for England. In May of 2022, the veteran announced her retirement after suffering a long-term injury. 

Nytes, the youngest of the Summit’s goalkeepers, describes the goalkeeping room as supportive and one that breeds “healthy competition.” The 22-year-old and former Colorado Buffalo has become especially close with Smith. 

“Our group has gone through some changes, but Abby has been a rock here,” Nytes said. “We’ve become really good friends off the field. Someone I can always go to. Kat has raised the level and intensity. We are all going for one spot, but we’re just trying to make each other better every day.” 

Nytes joined the Summit after one of the best goalkeeping careers in University of Colorado Boulder history, earning Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Year three times. As a senior, she earned first-team All-American honors after a record-setting 2025 season and was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist as one of the top players in the country. 

Colorado’s connection with the Summit recruiting staff helped her earn a spot on the Summit, which has been a dream for the Colorado native. 

The competitiveness and drive to win at Boulder have translated well for league play. Like the Buffaloes, Cushing is “crazy about winning.”

“This is the best league in the world; it’s going to teach you a lot,” Nytes said. I’ve grown so much. My ability with hands and feet, learning from KB and Nick … as a person, you’re put in a challenging environment which pushes you to be your best every day.” 

Since her injury, Smith has been “the biggest supporter” of Asman, who has since taken the starting spot. Asman was drafted by Portland in the 2024 NWSL draft but joined the Summit on loan from Orlando in July. 

“She is rehabbing every day but staying connected with me,” Asman said. “She reminds me of my skills and what I can do. She’s been supportive of both (me and Nytes), leads the goalkeeper group, and pushes us in every form.”

Smith will likely return to the starting spot once healthy, but there are no hard feelings. Each goalkeeper has mutual respect for the others and will continue to push one another for the betterment of the team. 

Bardsley may not be part of the active roster, but she has been instrumental in the team’s success. 

“She’s played for so long, she is one of the best to play the game,” Nytes said. “There is no better person to learn from.”

What they’re thinking

There is a sense of urgency among the Summit, which is 12th in the league (6-6-8) with 24 points. Denver’s last win came Aug. 8 against the Utah Royals, with its last two being a draw and a loss. Seattle Reign FC (8-4-8) sits in eighth at the playoff line with 28 points. 

The Summit has a chance to earn points in its game against a struggling Chicago (5-1-15, 16 pts) this weekend, but Denver is approaching the game like any other. The Stars sit at the bottom of the league but are coming off a win over Racing Louisville.  

“I don’t look at the table in terms of more or less likely to win,” Cushing said. “I feel like we plan to win every week. Performances only reinforce that when I see how we play against Portland and Washington. We just haven’t gotten enough wins, and that’s the process we are going through.”

Denver will host Mallory Swanson and the Stars at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday at Centennial Stadium.   

What I’m hearing

Lindsey Heaps is back to full training after a knee injury, but it is still up in the air if she will play in Saturday’s home game against the Stars. Cushing said Thursday that things look far more positive, but that it’s more than likely she makes the bench. 

“I’m a brave coach; I’m not going to take Lindsey Heaps on,” Cushing said. “She is chomping at the bit to help our team, especially in front of the fans. We will get her back as soon as we can.”

What I’m seeing

The Portland Thorns and WNBA team Portland Fire opened the first-ever joint women’s sports complex last weekend. The $150 million Kaiser Permanente Performance Center sits on 12 acres of land and includes two soccer fields, two basketball courts and a strength-training facility. 

The 63,000-square-foot training center was repurposed from a facility owned by Nike, with construction beginning in the fall of 2025. Both franchises are owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who are the only joint owners of an NWSL and WNBA team.