Denver Summit FC delivered an emphatic NWSL performance on Saturday night, dismantling Chicago Stars FC 6-1 at Centennial Stadium in Centennial. Melissa Kössler led the way with two goals, while Janine Sonis, Yuzuki Yamamoto, Natasha Flint and Olivia Thomas also found the net in a comprehensive home victory.
Denver established control early and never let Chicago settle into the fixture. Sonis opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Kössler doubled the advantage six minutes later, powering home a header in the 19th minute. The hosts took a deserved 2-0 lead into the interval after dominating the ball and consistently creating danger in the final third.
The second half began in the same ruthless fashion. Yamamoto extended Denver’s lead in the 47th minute, but Chicago briefly found a response through Julia Grosso, who pulled one back in the 53rd minute.
Any prospect of a comeback disappeared quickly. Flint restored Denver’s three-goal cushion in the 56th minute, and Kössler completed her brace just two minutes later with Denver’s fifth. Thomas added a late sixth in the 85th minute to cap an outstanding night for the Summit attack.
Denver’s superiority was reflected across the numbers. The home side had 61.8 percent possession, outshot Chicago 18-6, and put seven efforts on target while producing 17 shot assists. Chicago managed only one shot on target, with Grosso’s 53rd-minute goal their lone reward.
The result moves Denver Summit FC to 7-6-8, while Chicago Stars FC fall to 5-1-16. Denver next host Gotham FC on September 6, while Chicago return home to face North Carolina Courage the same day.
Goals
- Denver Summit FC: Janine Sonis 13′
- Denver Summit FC: Melissa Kössler 19′, 58′
- Denver Summit FC: Yuzuki Yamamoto 47′
- Chicago Stars FC: Julia Grosso 53′
- Denver Summit FC: Natasha Flint 56′
- Denver Summit FC: Olivia Thomas 85′
