The 5280 Pitch - Denver Summit FC Podcast

Kate Hanson
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SOCCER
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The 5280 Pitch is your home for Denver Summit FC and the NWSL. Hosted by Kate Hanson—Colorado native, former sports broadcaster, and lifelong soccer fan. Every Tuesday, we break down the Summit's inaugural season. Player profiles. Tactical breakdowns. Match previews. The stories behind the signings. What it actually means to build an expansion team from scratch. Whether you've followed the NWSL for years or you're just discovering women's soccer, you'll get the full picture—the strategy, the players, and the moments that will define this club. New episodes every Tuesday. Women's soccer at altitude.

  1. Kaleigh Kurtz: Iron Woman and Building Something Special in Denver (BONUS)

    1D AGO

    Kaleigh Kurtz: Iron Woman and Building Something Special in Denver (BONUS)

    Kaleigh Kurtz has played every single minute of every game for four consecutive NWSL seasons. What most people didn't know? She finished last season on a broken back. In her first interview since joining Denver Summit FC, the veteran defender sits down with Kate Hanson to talk about why she chose an expansion team, what it's like training at altitude, how the Summit's chemistry clicked faster than anyone expected, and what 45,000 fans at Mile High will do to the way the game is played. Plus: Natalie Means, Olivia Thomas, Nick Cushing's system, and the moment Kaleigh realized Denver was different. Topics covered: Kaleigh Kurtz's path from North Carolina to Denver Summit FCTraining and playing at altitudeCoachella preseason: Utah and San Diego breakdownsWearing the captain's armbandRookies Natalie Means and Olivia ThomasThe March 28th home opener at Mile High Subscribe to The 5280 Pitch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Tuesday.

    37 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Denver Summit FC Preseason: Coachella Invitational Recap

    Denver Summit FC wrapped their first preseason tournament with a 2-0-0 record at the Coachella Valley Invitational. Seven goals scored. Two conceded. But what did we actually learn? In this episode, I break down both games—the 2-0 win over Utah Royals and the wild 5-2 shootout against San Diego Wave. We'll talk about the attack that looks legitimate, the defensive issues that need fixing, and the players who are making a serious case for the starting eleven. Olivia Thomas scored 3 goals in 2 games. Natalie Means had a goal and an assist while playing multiple positions. Melissa Kössler looked clinical. And this team showed something you can't coach: the mentality to keep attacking when games get tight. With three weeks until the March 14th season opener at Bay FC, this is your full breakdown of what's working and what still needs work before the NWSL season kicks off. Topics covered: Game-by-game breakdown: Utah Royals and San Diego WaveStandout performances: Olivia Thomas, Natalie Means, Melissa Kössler, Carson PickettDefensive concerns and what needs tighteningWhy the team's response at 2-2 matters more than the final scoreWhat this preseason revealed about Denver's identity Subscribe to The 5280 Pitch for weekly Denver Summit FC analysis all season long.

    29 min
  3. Jordan Angeli: Denver Summit FC Co-Founder on NWSL Expansion

    FEB 24

    Jordan Angeli: Denver Summit FC Co-Founder on NWSL Expansion

    Jordan Angeli co-founded For Denver FC and helped bring the NWSL to Colorado. In this episode, the Denver Summit FC part-owner discusses the team's expansion journey, from organizing watch parties in 2023 to securing ownership with Rob Cohen, Peyton Manning, and Mikaela Shiffrin. Topics: Denver Summit FC roster construction, Nick Cushing as head coach, Lindsey Horan signing with Denver, NWSL expansion team expectations, Colorado soccer culture, Washington Spirit home opener at Empower Field, and the inaugural season schedule. Jordan Angeli is a former NWSL player, Soccerwise podcast co-host, and Colorado native. Subscribe to The 5280 Pitch for Denver Summit FC and NWSL coverage.

    40 min
  4. The Summit Defense: 8 Defenders, 4 Champions, 1 Goal

    FEB 17

    The Summit Defense: 8 Defenders, 4 Champions, 1 Goal

    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 XICarson Pickett - 5 goal contributions from fullback, two-time Best XIJanine Sonis - Highlands Ranch native, Olympic medalist, captain at LouisvilleMegan Reid - 81 appearances with Angel City, Canadian internationalCamryn Biegalski - Prove-it year, 1,561 minutes with ChicagoAyo Oke - 22 years old, first USWNT senior camp call-upEva Gaetino - From PSG, ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2x)Natalie Means - 10 goals as a defender at GeorgetownPlus: 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.

    22 min
  5. Breaking Down Denver's August Schedule

    FEB 10

    Breaking Down Denver's August Schedule

    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 TVNorth Carolina Courage (Aug 5) - Structure meets altitude, short restUtah Royals (Aug 8) - Physical rematch at homeSan Diego Wave (Aug 14) - Possession masters on the roadPortland Thorns (Aug 22) - Providence Park's hostile environmentChicago 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.

    21 min
  6. May Schedule: The Gauntlet

    FEB 3

    May Schedule: The Gauntlet

    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.

    23 min
  7. Denver Summit 2026 Schedule Breakdown : Part 1

    JAN 27

    Denver Summit 2026 Schedule Breakdown : Part 1

    The Denver Summit open their inaugural NWSL season with a challenging first half of the schedule. In this episode of The 5280 Pitch, we break down every match in the opening stretch — key opponents, player matchups to watch, and how home games at altitude differ from life on the road for an expansion team.

    24 min
  8. What Denver Summit FC Is Really Building

    JAN 20

    What Denver Summit FC Is Really Building

    The last few weeks around Denver Summit FC have been a lot. Signings came fast, the NWSL schedule dropped, and then the stadium news hit. This episode is me stepping back to talk through where the Summit actually are right now — what this expansion roster is telling us, why the Lindsey Heaps signing matters, and how Denver is preparing for its first NWSL season.

    30 min
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About

The 5280 Pitch is your home for Denver Summit FC and the NWSL. Hosted by Kate Hanson—Colorado native, former sports broadcaster, and lifelong soccer fan. Every Tuesday, we break down the Summit's inaugural season. Player profiles. Tactical breakdowns. Match previews. The stories behind the signings. What it actually means to build an expansion team from scratch. Whether you've followed the NWSL for years or you're just discovering women's soccer, you'll get the full picture—the strategy, the players, and the moments that will define this club. New episodes every Tuesday. Women's soccer at altitude.

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