Jeff Caschell
Forward Ally Watt is set to transfer from Orlando Pride to Denver Summit FC, the NWSL expansion team for 2026, as reported by ESPN. This move makes Watt, a Colorado native, the franchise’s inaugural player.
Watt has been sent back on loan to Orlando Pride, the team that secured the 2024 NWSL Shield and Championship, for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Denver Summit FC will begin its inaugural NWSL season next year.
In exchange, Orlando Pride will receive an increased allocation of $75,000, which can be used until the end of 2027, along with an additional $37,500 in transfer funds. The Pride will also benefit from salary cap relief due to this loan arrangement.
Watt missed a game last Sunday due to an ankle injury after appearing in the first 13 matches of the season. The 28-year-old has contributed one goal and one assist this year.
Kurt Johnson, the general manager of Denver Summit FC, previously mentioned to ESPN that the team intends to build a strong roster of professional players with ties to Colorado.
Watt, who has a background in football and track and field, hails from Colorado Springs.
“What sets us apart is this unique talent pool of players from Colorado who have paved the way,” Johnson stated to ESPN in May. “The history and culture of the sport here are rich, and we’ll be tapping into that talent.”
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The in-league loan system is a new addition to the NWSL this season, approved alongside other mechanisms for roster building for the 2026 expansion teams, Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC.
Both Boston and Denver have access to approximately $1.065 billion in allocation funds, permitting them to spend beyond salary caps and transfer limits. The league has announced plans to eliminate existing allocation funds by December 31, 2026, but the funds for Boston and Denver will remain available until the end of 2027.
This means Orlando now has an extra year to utilize the $75,000 allocation related to the Watt transfer.
Additionally, ESPN reported that Denver has finalized terms to hire Nick Cushing, a former head coach at Manchester City and New York City FC, as its first head coach.
Fan Take: This trade marks an exciting beginning for Denver Summit FC and highlights a growing focus on local talent in the NWSL. As teams like Denver invest in homegrown athletes, it could elevate the competitive landscape of women’s soccer across the league.
