Denver Summit FC didn't mess around building their back line. They went out and got veterans. Championship winners. Players who've actually won stuff in this league.

In this episode, we break down all eight defenders on the Summit roster—from Kaleigh Kurtz's ironwoman durability (played every single minute for four straight years) to Carson Pickett's attacking threat from fullback (3 goals, 2 assists in 2025), Janine Sonis coming home to Colorado with Olympic gold, and the young talent like Ayo Oke pushing for USWNT recognition.

We cover:

• Kaleigh Kurtz - 2,340 minutes in 2025, NWSL Champion, First Team Best XI
• Carson Pickett - 5 goal contributions from fullback, two-time Best XI
• Janine Sonis - Highlands Ranch native, Olympic medalist, captain at Louisville
• Megan Reid - 81 appearances with Angel City, Canadian international
• Camryn Biegalski - Prove-it year, 1,561 minutes with Chicago
• Ayo Oke - 22 years old, first USWNT senior camp call-up
• Eva Gaetino - From PSG, ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2x)
• Natalie Means - 10 goals as a defender at Georgetown

Plus: Why veteran leadership matters for expansion teams, how Denver's defensive depth will handle six matches in 28 days, and what this back line tells us about year one expectations.

If you're gonna compete in year one, you build from the back. Denver's got the pieces. Now we see if it works.

The 5280 Pitch. Women's soccer at altitude.

Denver Summit FC's most important month. Six matches. Four at home. This is what they've been building toward.

In this episode, we break down August's schedule match by match—starting with the expansion rematch against Boston Legacy FC, then North Carolina Courage's structured attack (featuring Manaka Matsukubo's 33 shots on target), the altitude revenge game against Utah Royals' 345 tackles, two critical road tests at San Diego Wave (85% passing accuracy) and Portland Thorns (297 shots), and closing with Chicago Stars' defensive vulnerabilities.

We analyze what each matchup tests: Can Lindsey Heaps control midfield after returning from Paris? Can Carson Pickett and Kaleigh Kurtz anchor the defense through six matches in 28 days? Can Abby Smith be the difference-maker at Providence Park? Can Ally Brazier and Nahikari Garcia capitalize on opportunities at Centennial Stadium?

Plus: Why this month reveals whether altitude is real or just talk, how short rest between matches tests roster depth, and what "success" actually looks like for an expansion team in August.

Topics covered:

• Boston Legacy FC (Aug 2) - Expansion vs expansion on national TV
• North Carolina Courage (Aug 5) - Structure meets altitude, short rest
• Utah Royals (Aug 8) - Physical rematch at home
• San Diego Wave (Aug 14) - Possession masters on the road
• Portland Thorns (Aug 22) - Providence Park's hostile environment
• Chicago Stars (Aug 29) - Month closer, attacking opportunity

This is the month that proves whether Denver's ready to compete—or still figuring it out.

The 5280 Pitch. Women's soccer at altitude.

Denver Summit FC faces its toughest month of the season. Five matches. Four on the road. Every opponent brings a different challenge.

In this episode, we break down May's brutal schedule match by match—starting with fellow expansion side Boston Legacy FC, then Houston Dash's relentless pressure (281 tackles last season), Orlando Pride's league-best efficiency with Barbra Banda, Utah Royals' physical disruption (345 tackles, most in NWSL), and Racing Louisville's transition chaos (305 shots, most in the league).

We analyze what each matchup tests: Can Lindsey Heaps and Lourdes Bosch control midfield against constant pressure? Can Carson Pickett and Kaleigh Kurtz handle elite attackers at altitude? Can Abby Smith be the stabilizing force through four straight road trips?

Plus: Why June's reset period matters more than you think, and how May's exposure builds the foundation for everything that follows.