Denver Summit FC Kicks Off at Temporary Home in Centennial

First Game at the New (Temporary) Home

After a bit of a wait, the Denver Summit FC are finally ready to play their very first game at their temporary new home in Centennial, Colorado.

• They will play against the Portland Thorns.
• The stadium is not their forever home — just a temporary place to play while other plans are figured out.

Construction Delay Changed the Schedule

Crews were still working late on Friday night to get everything ready. They were:

• Hanging banners of individual players.
• Adding the final touches to the venue (the stadium and surrounding areas).

The team was first supposed to play at this stadium on:

1. July 3
2. July 12

But because construction took longer than expected, those plans changed.

Important: The construction delay is the reason the first game at the Centennial venue is happening later than originally planned.

A Special Art Project for Fans

An artist named Alexia Barreiro has been busy creating a big, interactive art piece on a large canvas outside the stadium.

• She will be at the FanZone on Saturday.
• Fans are invited to help add to the artwork.
• The team’s tagline this year is “Together we climb.” Alexia says a collaborative mural (a painting everyone helps with) fits perfectly for the first game.

How the Mural Works

• Fans place their thumbprints on the blue background.
• The thumbprints fill the space until it looks like cheetah print.
• The plan is to hang the finished mural where players walk out, so they are reminded of the community every game.

Alexia had a baby daughter seven months ago and is excited her little girl will be there for this historic moment. She says each brush stroke adds a piece of her heart to Denver Summit FC history.

A Big Player and a Proud Local

• Lindsey Heaps, who is from Colorado, is expected to play on Saturday. This is likely to bring even more excitement (a big wave of “fandemonium” — super happy fans!).
• Kelsie Jass was nearby at Dove Valley Regional Park watching her son play baseball. She saw the stadium and remembered her own soccer days.
  • She started playing soccer at age 5.
  • She played all the way through high school.
  • She even traveled to Europe twice with her team.
  • Her daughter now plays soccer too, and Kelsie says it builds confidence to see how far players can go.

Summary

Denver Summit FC will play their first game at a temporary stadium in Centennial against the Portland Thorns after a construction delay shifted the original July dates. Fans can join an artist to make a community thumbprint mural, see local star Lindsey Heaps play, and hear from locals like Kelsie Jass about what the team means to the community.

FAQ

1. Why is Denver Summit FC playing in Centennial?
They are using a temporary new home in Centennial, Colorado, while other arrangements are made.

2. Why wasn’t the team at the stadium on July 3 and 12?
A construction delay meant the venue wasn’t ready, so the schedule was changed.

3. How can fans be part of the art piece?
They can go to the FanZone on Saturday and add their thumbprint to the blue mural background.

4. Who is Lindsey Heaps?
She is a Colorado native soccer player expected to play in Saturday’s game, bringing extra excitement.

5. What is the mural’s purpose?
It is a fan collaboration that will hang where players walk out, reminding them of the community’s support.