The 5280 Pitch - Denver Summit FC Podcast

Abby Smith on the Best Season of Her Career, Lindsey Heaps & Protecting Denver's Goal

Ten years in this league. Franchises folded. A knee injury that almost ended everything. And right now, by every advanced metric, Abby Smith is having the best season of her professional career. She's back on The 5280 Pitch for her second conversation with Kate, and this one goes deeper. Abby talks about what it actually feels like inside the Summit locker room 11 games in — the eagerness, the growth, the moments that don't make the highlight reel. She breaks down her preparation as a goalkeeper, what she studies before every match, and how she ended up in a one-on-one standoff with Emma Sears in the final minutes of Denver's last game before the break. And she talks about Lindsey Heaps. What the locker room energy is right now, what changes when Lindsey arrives, and why she thinks Denver is closer to contending than the standings show. This is a conversation about what it looks like when a veteran finally lands in the right place at the right time — and decides to make the most of it. What we cover in this episode: Making the NWSL Best XI in March and what's driving the best stretch of her career The goalkeeper room — how she, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, and Jordan Nytes push each other What she studies before every match and how she reads penalty kicks Her read on rookies Devin Lynch and Natalie Means through 11 games The final-minute save on Emma Sears that preserved a clean sheet What Lindsey Heaps' arrival means — and what it won't change Why this locker room feels different from Portland and Gotham The 5280 Pitch. Women's Soccer at Altitude. Follow us → @5280pitch Newsletter → 5280pitch.com [http://5280pitch.com]

Denver Summit FC: What We Know After 11 Games

Denver outscored Racing Louisville 2.68 to 0.80 in expected goals on Friday night. They won 1-0. That gap — between what this team creates and what ends up on the scoreboard — is the story of the first half of their inaugural NWSL season in a single number. In this episode, Kate breaks down the 1-0 win over Racing Louisville that closed out Denver's first eleven games, then zooms out to take honest stock of what this expansion side has actually built. Ally Brazier comes off the bench three minutes before scoring her first goal for her hometown club. Nick Cushing improvises a 4-2-2-2 without Tash Flint and it works. Abby Smith makes the save that seals it. And Yazmeen Ryan creates six chances in a single match and still somehow feels underrated. This one covers the Louisville match in full, the surprise stories of the season — Brazier, Devin Lynch, Ryan, Abby Smith — and what the second half of this season needs to look like. Postgame clips from Nick Cushing, Ally Brazier, and Abby Smith. The 5280 Pitch. Women's Soccer at Altitude. Be sure to Subscribe and leave a Review! Newsletter at 5280pitch.com [http://5280pitch.com]. Find us on Instagram and Threads@5280pitch.

Denver Summit FC NWSL: Utah Recap & Louisville Preview

Denver Summit FC controlled 58.7% of the ball, out-passed Utah 385 to 280, and had nearly double the crosses — and still walked away with a 2-1 loss. Kate Hanson breaks down exactly what happened in Sandy, why the 72nd-minute penalty call that decided this NWSL match was wrong, and what the numbers actually say about where this Denver Summit FC team is right now. Then it's a full Louisville preview. Racing Louisville is last in the NWSL, has conceded 19 goals through ten games, and is about to host a Denver team that is third in the league in goals scored. Kate makes her call heading into the international break. Find us at 5280pitch.com [http://5280pitch.com] and subscribe to The 5280 Weekly newsletter for Denver Summit FC coverage all week long. Follow @5280pitch on Instagram and Threads The 5280 Pitch. Women's Soccer at Altitude.

Denver Summit FC First Home Win: Recap & Utah Preview

Denver Summit FC beat Barbara Banda and the Orlando Pride 3-1 on Pride Night — and Tobin Heath and Christen Press were watching. Janine Sonis scored twice. Eva Gaetino scored her first career professional goal in Denver's first home win in franchise history. And the two World Cup legends said they can smell the winning ingredients in Denver. This week on The 5280 Pitch: full match recap, a conversation with Tobin Heath and Christen Press on the Football Loves You campaign and where women's soccer is going, and a deep preview of Saturday's road trip to the Utah Royals — the second-best team in the NWSL. ⚽ Denver's 2.98 xG vs Orlando's 0.55 — what the numbers actually say ⚽ Janine Sonis: two braces in two weeks, first penalty in franchise history ⚽ Eva Gaetino: from the injury room before the home opener to scoring the first home win goal ⚽ Tobin Heath & Christen Press: why they partnered with Denver Summit FC ⚽ Utah Royals preview: 536-minute shutout streak, Mandy McGlynn's 90.9% save %, and what Denver needs to do 🌐 Newsletter & blog: 5280pitch.com [http://5280pitch.com] 👕 Merch: 5280-pitch-shop.fourthwall.com [http://5280-pitch-shop.fourthwall.com] The 5280 Pitch. Women's Soccer at Altitude. #DenverSummitFC #NWSL #WomensSoccer #ColoradoSoccer #OrlandoPride #UtahRoyals #JanineSonis #EvaGaetino #TobinHeath #ChristenPress #NWSLReca

Denver Summit FC vs Orlando Pride: Pride Night Preview

Denver Summit FC went from 46.8% possession in March's 1-1 draw to 56% and four goals in Houston last weekend. The rematch is Saturday — and this time, the Summit have the ball. Kate Hanson breaks down everything you need to know before Denver Summit FC hosts the Orlando Pride on Pride Night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park — including post-practice interviews with Ally Brazier, Natalie Means, and head coach Nick Cushing. What we cover: ⚽ Pride Night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park — fan zone opens 4:30 PM, Tobin Heath & Christen Press live on the pitch at halftime, Miss Zarah Misdemeanor hosting, May Be Fern on the national anthem ⚽ What changed between the March 1-1 draw and Saturday — the possession numbers that tell the whole story ⚽ Marta, Barbra Banda, and why the Orlando attack looks completely different than it did in March ⚽ Why Yazmeen Ryan's three goal contributions in two matches might be the key to unlocking Orlando's defense ⚽ The Oke vs. Pickett left back question — and why it's a genuinely good problem to have ⚽ Yuzuki Yamamoto: WE League MVP, still waiting for her moment — why? ⚽ Score prediction: mountain goat vs. lion, Pride Night edition 📅 DNVR Watch Party — May 23 Denver is away at Utah Royals (4:30 PM kickoff). Club 5280 is hosting a scarf pickup at the DNVR watch party from 3:30–6 PM. Come watch with your people. Check them out at DNVRBar.com 📲 Connect Instagram / Threads: @5280pitch Website & newsletter: 5280pitch.com [http://5280pitch.com] 🛒 Merch Shop: 5280-pitch-shop.fourthwall.com [http://5280-pitch-shop.fourthwall.com] | Use code SUMMIT10 The 5280 Pitch. Women's Soccer at Altitude. #DenverSummitFC #NWSL #OrlandoPride #PrideNight #WomensSoccer #ColoradoSoccer #MartaVieira #BarbraBanda #TashFlint #YazmeenRyan #AbbySmith #NWSLPreview ----------------------------------------