Fuld transskription af Final Match Recap for DSFC's 2026 Inaugural Season

as far as team building goes, like you want great humans, you want people like you really enjoy, but like every team needs just one asshole. Just like one, just one person Kali Long: Mm. Yeah. Matt: that really like gets people's goats and Kali Long: Okay, but if anybody watched Ted Lasso, it that started out as Roy Kent and then he is the absolute fan favorite. So every anyone can be one over. That's my that's my take. Matt: All right. Well, with that note, let's go peak to peak. Speaking of unlikable people, Janine Saunas and Lindsay Heaps. That's gonna clipped. We'll get in so much trouble. Kali Long: my gosh. Matt: Janine Saunas and Lindsay Heaps make the team of the month for the NWSL for October into November. This is the fifth month in a row that Summit have had players featured on this list. I think it's the third month that this duo. Has been on there together, which really just makes you you you think like what next season's gonna be like that they'll be there the whole time. Janine kind of hinted at that. what did she say? Like, I'm just really excited for this one to be here the whole year in the postgame presser. So spoilers Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Matt: to that one, but yeah, we are in for for a treat and the NWSL is in for a force to be reckoned with, those two together for for 30 matches. Look out. and then Other unlikable people, people that just clearly have no redeeming qualities, Kali Kurtz. It's gonna be like Kali Long: Matt the joke Matt: the the out of context part of this is not gonna translate well. Kali Long: But it also just hurts my heart a little bit to ever even say something like that, even as satire, that it just how dare you. Matt: I'm gonna I'm gonna start creating satirical versions, alter egos of all these players. I'm just kidding. All right, so lovable human, fantastic member of her community, Gaylee Kurtz Kali Long: There we go. Matt: officially makes her fifth Iron Woman season in a row with the conclusion of Summit season. That is just wild. I I can't even imagine that. Like, love being on a soccer field, love love playing the sport, but like to never miss a game, like. That's through Nox. That's without Nox. I'm I'm guaranteeing she's played through things that other players would have sat through. And I don't think we can we can glow up this feat enough. That's that's immense. Kali Long: I'll say this later on in the episode, but guys, that is twelve thousand nine hundred and twenty-two consecutive minutes across a hundred and forty-four matches. Matt: What was the number again? But do it in the rent song? Twel twelve thousand nine hundred and ninety twos Kali Long: my gosh, we're already getting off to a rocky start today. Matt: Guys, we're going to a fifty eight two eighty party tonight. we're just getting ready. Kali Long: Yeah, yeah, party's already started. But yes, all that aside, hats off to KK. That is an incredible accomplishment of your career. Matt: This does make me want to get on my soapbox a little bit. Can I get on my soapbox, Kali? Kali Long: I don't think you've ever been off your soapbox, but go ahead, get back up there. Matt: You know who else should have been on this list? Kali Long: I know who you're gonna say. Matt: You you do know who I'm gonna say? Kali Long: Yeah, your your favorite I think this is your favorite moment of the season. Matt: Well, be before before we get to this, I do want to shout out the other Jesse Fleming for Portland Thorns, Ryan Williams, Coloradan. we just saw her in North Carolina, Kaitlin Sheridan. Unfortunately, when we talk about the game recap, you'll understand why I don't like Kaitlyn Sheridan right now, but she also made this list. Kennedy Wesley, just fantastic person. we get to see her both for San Diego and for the US women's national team. Kali and I did personally this season. Sandy McIver for Spirit, Tara McCown for Spirit, Kate Delfava for Utah Royals, and of course KK. That's that's quite a class for 2026. Eight different Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: Iron Women, man, like, yeah. Hats off to all of them. Amazing accomplishment, which makes it even more frustrating that there wasn't a ninth person on this list because some of Bomb decided that a soft tackle, barely a touch, I didn't even see any studs involved, warranted Janine Saunas getting a red card, and she missed a match because of that. Didn't miss any time outside of that sending off and the corresponding suspension match. And she would be right on this list. So I hope you're happy, gentlemen, gentle lady. I don't even remember at this point who who put the card out, but like. You ruined an Iron Woman season in a career year. And I think you should have to look in the mirror for five minutes straight, not break eye contact with yourself and reflect on what you've done. Kali Long: And apologize. I think it you should apologize. Matt: yeah yeah yeah. Well it's just they got the apology from Pro about the which red card that was awarded was it against the courage. Like I think Kali Long: Mm. Matt: we should get a letter of apology from Pro for ruining Janine Sanas's Iron Woman season. Kali Long: I think Janine del deserves the direct apology. I don't even I don't care if it's e I don't Matt: Well obviously obviously Janine, but I want one too. Kali Long: care if it's public or not. I think she just she needs it. Not that she's one asking for it, but yeah, okay. Matt: I think it I think it should be public. I think at the end of each season, the the referees from pro should have to go on like one of those Bravo style like season recap shows where Kali Long: Yes. Matt: like they say something and then like the host and everybody's like, that's a great point. Here's the footage proving how it was different. Kali Long: The referee reunion. Okay. I Matt: Yes. Kali Long: I absolutely love this idea. Matt: This is if we have any fans listening right now, even if we can't get the actual referees to do this, we we know you guys are really good at

costumes after that last game. We'll have Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: each of you completely get into character as the different referees we face this season and come on as them Kali Long: Ha ha ha. Matt: with the knowledge of all of your calls in the game. So it's gonna take a little studying because we Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: we gotta come correct. And then Kali and I will just go through it like Bravo style, like Andy Cohen and be like Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: What what was it you said last episode? Just like girl. Kali Long: Girl. What was that? Girl. Matt: Girl. What? Kali Long: Yeah, I love it. This is the perfect time. If anyone was looking for an acting debut, let's let's pull the curtain. Let's see how it goes. Matt: Ooh. Can I go on a s can I go on a tangent? Kali Long: We're not even on our fourth bullet point yet, but yes. Matt: Speaking of acting debuts, Allie and I just saw Beauty and the Beast at Betcher Hall yesterday and Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: Broadway cast. I hadn't seen it. I think it was, I think it might have been my first Broadway show I ever saw as a kid. I I grew up on the East Coast, so we were fortunate enough to to go up there for school trips and stuff. and I was just thinking like the things they're doing with like light work, the the production, the staging. It's absolutely magical. hats off to them. Great performance. Go see it. it's at Betcher Theater currently. Down in the Denver Performance Center. If you're if you're not going to shows down there, you're you're really missing out. That is such a a huge just thing to have in our city. Like Betcher, Buell, Kali Long: Mm. Matt: Ellie Calkins, like the the shows they put on, the culture that's exhibited, highly recommend. Kali Long: Go support the arts. Matt: Yeah. Speaking of supporting things, Rob Cohen is named to the sports business journal Power Players as an innovator in women's sports for literally supporting women. I feel like all those memes like believe women, like we're we just need one with like Rob Co Cohen, like support women. Like and obvious Kali Long: Yes. Or just be be like this ex the example. When we're asking you Matt: Yeah, yeah. Kali Long: to support women, let him tell you how to do it. Matt: Yeah, you open the dictionary. this goes to everyone. obviously, Rob, Molly, their whole family, Kali Long: Yes. Matt: Kali, all the work she's doing, with the team, Melody, Jason, like everyone Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Matt: in the ownership suite, and everyone through. But like, I I I think the gist of this article and the this award is that there's a conceit it's innovative to support women. And I think when we've talked to Jen, like we're we're just Really pushing towards a a reality where that's that's just almost like blase. Yeah. You're like, What are you talking about? I wanna Kali Long: The default? Yeah. Yeah. Matt: see shirts that are like everyone watches men's sports. Kali Long: We don't need a shirts, we have numbers behind that and money. Matt: we just

need to get to the point where that becomes a thing and like we've come full circle. Yeah. Speaking of good Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: all around, at least in CONCACAF, we've got some provisional rosters for the US and the Canadian women's national teams. The the women's national team, I always used to joke, like that same thing of like everyone watches women's sports, like, it's cute. We have a boys' team. They don't do that well on a national stage, but like it's cute that they're letting them go out there and like have have a little run, run. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe they can Kali Long: No. They're trying. That's so nice they're trying. Matt: hold some of the women's team's trophies for them. Kali Long: Right. Matt: but speaking of the trophy holding women's team, the provisional roster features Lindsay Heaps, also Yazmeen Ryan, Ayo Oke and Ava Gaetino. and then on the Canadian side, we've got Janine Sonis, Emma Regan and Meg Reed. when you hear the Ayo interview spoilers that we released here in a a week or two, we posed a really good question to to Ayo. It's T B D for next season. But if you were playing a three on three match Who would win, US or Canada? Because Canada's got one in each line. Cause you can get Janine playing forward, Emma playing in the midfield, and Meg anchoring. And then because they they're pretty flexible, they can kind of go all around the field. I I think you you you've got Lindsay Yaz, Ayo Ava, that's also strong. I'm not gonna make a cut there because I don't want like my comment section to to get Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: added, but I'd be really curious. Kali Long: Yeah, I think we need a a preseason little matchup between the two. That would be fun. Matt: Yeah, absolutely. and then I think the last peak to peak on my agenda, this will be in the past tense once you were listening to it, but the 5280 season ending party is tonight. So hopefully we see you there or will have seen you there by the time you listen to this. This is at number 38, a venue that has been pretty iconic and and welcoming to Denver Summit fans since the four Denver FC days. they they've been in since the jump. I remember when they they first put that summit logo on the side of the building once it was announced. That was, I don't know, that was one of the first things that felt really real, at Kali Long: Mm. Matt: least for me, is like when you you see that branding kind of like put up in lights, as it were. Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: so I think it's fitting that's where the season ending party will be tonight. they're gonna be doing giveaways. DJ Sin is gonna be rocking the joints. Kali Long: our girl. Matt: yeah. And the did you watch the video? DJ Since recap of the season, all the different shots. that was so fun. Kali Long: Yes. Did I cry during the video? I don't know. It was a little blurry, but yeah, it was lovely. Matt: yeah. And then I think what did I say? Giveaways. You can get things embroidered. It should be a really good time. I I hope we saw you all there. Also, like when you're listening Kali Long: Yeah. Past tense. Matt: to this, like don't talk about what Kali did. Like it was an accident. And like Kali Long: my gosh, my gosh. Matt: what happens after 736 PM at number 38, like it's not her fault. Kali Long: I don't know what has happened with Matt this season, you guys, but he is the rumor mill. Okay. So just take what he says as a grain of salt. I would never start such rumors about my co-host. so yeah, I didn't do anything. It's also i you crazy. I haven't done anything yet, and I'm not gonna do anything, and now I'm gonna be hyper-aware. The whole night I'm gonna be like, is Matt planting something to happen to me? Matt: Yeah, is this minority report like pre-cog, I know it's gonna happen, or I'm like I'm forcing the issue 'cause now I'm now it's in your head. Yeah. Yeah. Kali Long: Is this what they call manifesting? Because I don't like it. my gosh. Well speaking of manifesting, Matt, what is coming up next? Matt: so the summies, you should have seen them released on on Instagram on our socials so far, but this is our first annual year-end awards for some of you in our comment section. The summies is a play on Emmys and Spees, But we have some really fun comments that are rolling in to to read to you guys. Also really heartwarming comments. we had a section at the the end of the ballot where you could put in thoughts, comments, things like that. And some of them you guys are just like hilarious. Some of you some of them you guys are just like making us tear up. Yeah. I was going the other way. Kali Long: unhinged. There's a there's a funny mix of unhinged and also like I legitimately did tear up and like shed a tear at a couple of the comments because I either feel the same way or I am moved by just this community of amazing people. So yes, the summies are coming up voting is open. We are so excited to be doing this and it's just To me, such a fun way of celebrating the team, celebrating the moments. And also, we will be having a player and staff exclusive ballot that they are filling out. So there will be some surprise for the fans of their voting of different categories and some superlatives and some shout-outs. So I am a big believer of everyone should get recognized for the wonderful work that they do. And this is our little way of being able to shine that light. So I am so excited to share with you guys the results, talk through the results and especially talk through the comments. Matt: Yeah. So get on the socials. The the 14 main line categories for the summies are rookie, NWSL Newcomer, Save, Assist, Goal, Selly, Moment, Game, and Photograph of the Year, in addition to offensive player, defensive player, most valuable player. Our mile high impact award. It's going to someone from the team that has given kind of above and beyond efforts off the pitch. And then the Summit Legacy Award. This is our our our pinnacle, our peak, if you will, for someone that has set the

stage for for what the summit, for what this community, what this legacy is going to be about. we we've had some really good conversations with the front office that we we put on this episode about kind of forecasting what Summit's legacy will look like five, 10 years down from the road. All right, down the road and this is the award we want to give to the people shaping that. Kali Long: Yeah, we're really excited. Can't wait to share everything with everyone. More details on how the awards will be announced coming soon. So stay tuned for that. Matt: go to also socials. Kali put up videos of the goals, assists, and saves of the year. So you don't have to just go for memory or read the text on the ballot. You can click on there and see the highlight reels of each of those. hats off to Kali, who's been crushing it Kali Long: Ha ha ha. Matt: on all the the background efforts on on the summies. And then also because we talked about manifesting year two, season two, guys, this is gonna be a sneaker ball. So start getting your green Jordans like. Figure it out. it it's gonna happen. Maybe we're down at Summit Music Hall. I don't know. We're gonna we're gonna we're gonna push the envelope on this one next season. Kali Long: Absolutely. I can't wait. 1733 Ingalls St 3: Speaking of voting, your very own Janine Saunas is a finalist for the NWSL MVP Award and the NWSL Defender of the Year Award. All of us keeping up with Summit this season know just how much Janine means to this team and this community. She is a leader on and off the pitch, had a career year with 12 goals and eight assists as a defender, and was the heart of this team in many, many ways. Here's what you need to know regarding voting. Voting is now open. It opened Monday, November ninth Over at NWCL Soccer.com slash awards. And it closes on Wednesday, November 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern. The NWCL Awards presented by ATT will be live November 18th at 6 30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN two. So go ahead, head over to NWCLSoccer.com/slash awards and cast your vote for Janine. I think we can get her one or both of these awards. Kali Long: Well, before we dive all the way into next season, We still have one final game to recap of the season. Denver Summit's first season in the NWSL Cell has officially come to an end, and Summit fans, I know that you feel this too, as this one kind of hurt. After keeping their playoff hopes alive with a six goal performance against Racing Louisville, Denver headed to North Carolina for the first decision day in franchise history with everything still to play for. The mission was semi simple. Beat the courage and hope Orlando could take care of Seattle and maybe just maybe we would sneak into the postseason. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be as Denver fell 1-0 to North Carolina Courage Sunday night after a heartbreaking stoppage time own goal. That officially closed out the Denver Summer FC's inaugural campaign with an eleven, eleven, and eight record, 41 points, and 10th place finish. I will say what lessened the pain for me though on this loss is that even if Denver had won, it wouldn't have been enough. Seattle Rain secured a one-zero victory of its own, claiming the eighth and final playoff spot and ending the postseason hopes for both of us, both Denver and North Carolina. So there were no playoffs in our sights for year one, but that's not to say that there wasn't still a lot of good soccer played, not just during this game, but also this entire season. Let's break down the first half. Denver came in ready to fight, and for a team with a season on the line, Denver did not look intimidated at all. The summit came out strong, controlling a whopping 70% of position through the opening 20 minutes, and created three really good looks at goal. I have to say for a team playing on the road against another team fighting for this playoff life, this is exactly what we were hoping to see: all attack, all force. the full time of the first half. Denver wasn't sitting back. They came out looking to take control. And by halftime, the summit had registered seven shots. And unfortunately just none of them had found the back of the net. Despite both teams needing three points, we headed into halftime scoreless, which I that was not on my bingo card. I definitely thought we were going to see some goals in that first half, but it marked the 12th time this season that Denver had entered halftime tied. Forty five minutes down, 45 minutes left to say the season, to save the season. And at this point, I think all of my texts to Matt were some version of, my god, what's happening? my gosh. And yeah, I'm just a very reactive texter. So Matt, any comments on that first half? Matt: Yeah, y y you're right. This did seem like two teams that had everything to play for and weren't really going with the the cagey like let's just try and like wait for something to happen and not expose ourselves too much. Like I I thought Denver was playing like aggressively with their foot on the accelerator and we're creating what seem to be really composed chances at this point. But not exactly threatening chances. This is Kali Long: Mm. Matt: again where like Kayla Sheridan, I thought, was just killing it. but on the other end, I thought that North Carolina was, and I I think they were doing this tactically, we're creating more like jailbreak can't chances, counters, Kali Long: Yep. Matt: like really getting after us and and producing kind of threatening attempts at goal. So what we were doing, maybe a little more. methodically they were doing a little more maniacally and going into half I thought it could be anyone's game. Kali Long: I agree. And if you were hoping for a second half with offensive explosion like we saw against Louisville, it just really we never got that explosive side. It was intense and pressing, but that final 45 minutes were relatively quiet with 14 total shots between the two sides and just four genuine looks at goal. I will say it

seemed kind of like both teams were very focused and very intense, but it didn't seem like anyone was having fun. And maybe that's a hot take. And I get it, like you're on the playoff line. It's not time for fun. It's time to win. But Throughout the season, we've heard Summit players and Nick himself talk about how Summit plays best when they have a little bit more fun, they're playing a little bit more freely. So maybe that was just the missing piece and the pressure cooker that was this first season playoff chance that we had. Matt: I don't know. I think for for this match, for these types of matches, for me, I think this is really good soccer. This isn't like the soccer that neutrals casuals are gonna turn on the TV and get necessarily like hooked on with six Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Matt: goals like two weeks ago. But when when you see a soccer match like this, I think it's it's two really good teams playing really good soccer, matching up really well. With two really good game plans from the coaches. the I really enjoy these types of things. And I know it's tense. It's not really the popcorn affair that we had been treated to at fan appreciation night, but I did really enjoy watching this game. Kali Long: No no. I enjoy I enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong. There was a reason I was on the edge of my seat and texting you like my heart was giving out. I just wish that they could it it felt like I someone needed to shake each other to be like let's still play freely. Let's play our intensity. Let's play our game. But when you talk about you play your best in this environment and this attitude, like let's get there so that we can also win. so I I I see both sides, but no, it was definitely enjoyable soccer. It just was not even close to the like you said, popcorn match of racing Louisville with six goals. Matt: I don't think Louisville and Chicago are gonna do that for every team every year, so let's just take it when we can get it. Kali Long: It's true, absolutely. And while the offense struggled to find those breakthroughs, it was one player on our team who was making it absolutely sure that Denver stayed in this game no matter what. And that is our girl, Abby Smith. She finished the night with five crucial saves, including two stops on direct free kicks, matching her fourth highest save total of the season. And let's remember who Denver was playing. This was a North Carolina team with plenty of attacking firepower, and Smith was having none of it. For ninety minutes, it looked like we might just be heading towards a scoreless draw, but then came our stoppage time. In the ninety-fourth minute, the ball ended up in the back of Denver's net net off of an own goal from Kayleigh Kurtz. That was it. North Carolina courage won. Denver Summit zero. It was an absolutely brutal way to end the match and just not at all a good representation of how the season should have ended. and so I feel for KK because was a hard spot to be in. Obviously it's not intentional.

Nobody intends to score on themselves. But I will say it has been really wonderful. You guys know that I am in the comments and on all the socials, but it has been really awesome to see all the fans and everybody just be incredibly uplifting and kind towards KK because she felt that frustration and devastation. It's not that I would ever doubt our fans either for being mean, but the internet can be a scary place. So when I did get on the internet after that, rough ending to see everyone really rallying behind her was was really nice to see. Matt: Yeah, own goals are unfortunate. There are Some own goals that feel truly like own goals where it was Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Matt: a one person howler of an error error. And th this wasn't that. This Kali Long: Yep. No. Matt: no. This was a deflection off of KK making a stout defensive slide. And yeah, I think that's the end of story on this one. The Kali Long: Absolute accident. Yeah. Matt: Yeah, I the sixty-seventh minute was more gut-wrenching for me in the Seattle game when I saw that goal come across. that's when I got the pit in my stomach. When KK deflects this ball into the goal at the end of the North Carolina game, I'm like, that was a badass effort to to try and keep that out there. that shows like what was that? the 90 second minute, you how far you're digging deep to Yeah, to to put your body on the line to try and prevent Kali Long: It a ninety fourth minute. Yeah. It was yeah. Matt: something like that. No, this is a KK, that was awesome. Yeah. Hands down. Kali Long: Yeah. Because because more on KK for just a second. We did talk about it at the beginning of the episode, but guys, remind reminder, she is a five time Iron Woman. With another full 90 minute performance on Sunday, she became the first player in NWSL Cell history to earn it five times. And again, that just means she played every single minute of the regular season, every game, no exceptions. And I think that's just a testament to her. grind her work ethic. when we asked her about it in press conferences previously, she's also credited her genetics and her parents and just the fact that she is has really great resources to recover. So like we love a realistic queen. but like she is out here grinding it. So absolutely not the season ending explanation she deserved. Unfortunate, but it is what it is. We didn't even have a chance because of Seattle's game. So Could never overshadow her accomplishments because playing every single minute of an expansion team season while helping establish a brand new club, my God, th you must be exhausted. That's all I can think of. So from one Kali to another, congrats on a very well accomplished season, Kali Kurtz. Matt: Yeah, I think everyone that that played in this match, you saw Liv Thomas come in, Ali Brazier come in, Emma Reedan come in, no one like I I assume they weren't shouting it's one zero on the sideline. So no one on this field were we're taking the the season as ended. Everyone was Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Matt: going for it, everyone was pushing, and that's that's a fantastic performance. And I think what we saw in the postgame pref. press conference. And then what we we talked about with Kurt and Nick a little bit this morning, which we'll we'll talk about on the next episode, is like, this is a team that was pissed off. Kali Long: Mm. Matt: like when I was talking to to Ayo in that interview, I was like, I hope you don't take this as a slight that that this is a a compliment is like, I think this was a team that underachieved. Like this was a team talented enough in its first year to make a deep playoff round, not just make the playoffs. Kali Long: Mm. Matt: And those are the lessons in in sports and in in life is like you could have done it. there was nothing stopping you. And that should be fueling your fire 3,000% going into next year. And everything I've seen up and down the roster from the front office in the these postgame availabilities and end of season availabilities this week has been like January fourth can't come soon enough. Like let's go. Kali Long: Mm-hmm. Yep. Because guys, we ended this season with 53 goals, 41 points, 63,04 fans, and Matt: Yeah. Kali Long: just so much history in one year. And and now I will say it feels like we are in a bit of a a little bias soup right now of I have not studied the other expansion teams quite nearly as closely as I have studied our history, but it just absolutely feels immaculate to have achieved so much and then to not achieve what we knew we could have. So it it's a mixed bag of emotions and we will do a full episode breaking down this season. But for now, I'm just I'm I'm just an optimist, I guess. I get that people are frustrated for valid reasons and excited to grow and fuel. But I think the future is so bright with this club because they didn't just participate in their first NWSL season. They competed, they broke records, they made noise and They gave the dream of Colorado having an NWSL team life and Denver something to build on. that is baseline incredible. So just, I I I'll guess I'll be a resident optimist here. Matt: One of these days you're gonna be a pessimist. I think you predicted a loss once this season. Did you? I think I tricked you yeah, I tricked you into predicting Kali Long: I think maybe. Matt: Yeah. so I Kali Long: I think I did once. Look, I have high expectations and high hopes. Matt: Couple a couple more things on this one on the North Carolina side. Bia Gomez, September signing for the Courage, she came on and you could tell she was new to the team, but what she was doing, streaking up the the right, sometimes the left side, was really getting behind Denver's defense and really breaking it wide open. I think with a little more finishing acumen, a little more time and practice and reps with the team, like. She was dangerous. You could tell once she got down there, the final product wasn't quite ready yet. But man, I was impressed with her in this

game. And then Ashley Sanchez, Abby Smith saved a brilliant free kick from Sanchez. But Sanchez also had, I think, like three or four really good looks on the match. it's a bummer. She didn't break that record. you could tell she really wanted it. She seemed really Really disappoint. everyone seemed disappointed on both sides at the end of this match, Kali Long: Mm. Matt: but I think it was Lindsay kind of put her arm around her at the end of the game. And that really goes to show just like how much of a how much camaraderie and community goes around between these players. Like they all know what everything means to to one another. They know Ashley from or Lindsay knows Ashley from the the national team. and so I really I really enjoyed seeing that. I really liked what Nick said at the end, which we'll we'll post the clips here with the the postgame, but I think things like things like those are are big and every every time we talk about Janine's career season, Ashley Sanchez had one too. And though Kali Long: Mm. Matt: though neither team is going to be in the in the playoffs, they aren't those top eight teams, like those are top two players. And I would Kali Long: Mm. Matt: I would put those two over anyone on the the eight currently still in the the playoffs for the MVP. So I I hope this doesn't usher out their case for the voters. Kali Long: Moving into our post-game press conference, here is more from your captains, Janine Saunas and Lindsay Heaps, on that match in the season. It's always hard to go into these press conferences after a match like this because there's disappointment, frustration. But what I love about these two is that they are so competitive and so determined and it is palpable how much they are ready to just get after it and move forward and improve. and you just feel everything right alongside them. So it was great. to have that final presser with them and just excited to see what comes next. Matt: Yeah, I liked how much just raw emotion Janine and Lindsay were giving out, Lindsay saying the thing about I call her Nean, or you could Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: they were almost that feeling when you're so exhausted, you're kinda loopy. And then Kali Long: Yeah. they were there. Matt: just what it must have meant for them after all these years, like j back to their knee high into Kali Long: Mm. Matt: Colorado competing programs, and now they're they're playing a half season together for their hometown club and like The season ended, but you could still tell these are just two women that were so stoked to to to take a pitch together. And yeah, Kali Long: Yep. Matt: I'll I'll I'll end it the way I kinda started earlier. look out with a season of them for thirty matches. Like damn. Kali Long: Yeah. Which Nick had thoughts on that as well, and here's what he had to say in the press conference. Again, you hear the disappointment, but most importantly, you hear the drive and expectation that another summit season will not look like this. And it is truly onwards and upwards for this team of incredibly dedicated competitive individuals. So I am already excited for 2027, but I also hope everyone takes a nice little break. They worked really hard and I hope that their off season they're able to rest. recoup and just enjoy and reflect on the things that they did accomplish well. Matt: Not I'm not sure Nick's taking a break anytime soon, judging from that. I love I love it. Nick's like, like, I'm not gonna sugarcoat this. I don't lose. Like, he talked about he's like first, Kali Long: Yeah, yeah. Next preface. Matt: second, Man City. Like this this finish is his second to to worst finish. I think he finished worse for NYCFC, the men's team in 2023, came in 11th. Like, pedigree of winning. And you you can like You can balk at that. You can sometimes take these things as too much bravado or gruff. But like I I love that attitude of like, I'm salty. Like this this doesn't happen to me. Like, yeah. Kali Long: Yeah. It's almost like a little bit of shock, but also just like r just determination. Like you can just see it like sizzling. Matt: Also, 'cause I don't think we've asked him about this in particular. I I know he plays, but what does off season relaxation for Nick Cushing look like? do you think he's a beach guy? I never really assume Brits are beach guys. Kali Long: Yeah. No. No, I don't think he's a beach guy. I think it's I think his version of re relaxing is some version of working out. That would be my guess. Matt: What do you I'm I what is it gonna be like woodworking? maybe he's a whittler or I can see him Kali Long: Maybe. Matt: Nick just like builds a fence like around his house. He's like just a really sound, classy, not complicated fence. And like Kali Long: It's just construction. It's just straight up construction. Look, if Nick, you're looking for a hobby. I got a lot of hobbies. By all means, hit a girl Matt: my god. Kali Long: up. We could talk about hobbies all day. Matt: Is Nick gonna be in the the bitches get stitches crew that you started? Kali Long: I did not start a group of any such name. Matt: What did you call it? Kali Long: I it's it's just stitching. It's what do you mean? I didn't Matt: I thought you had a a fun name for for your your stitching group. Kali Long: sometimes people refer to it as stitch and bitch of like you just get together with somebody, but it's there's not a club. Matt: Okay. gotcha. Kali Long: no. But yeah, if if anyone's looking to need a point, that's a completely side conversation, but hit a girl up, love to need a point. Matt: Look, Nick, Monday night, we're gonna be playing Bino, that flick soccer game. I think we're gonna be at Stoney's right right in Sloane's Lake. Like come on out. just a few of us hanging out, talking about life and and competing in a little flick soccer. You're more than welcome to join. Kali Long: You know what I could see? I could see Nick being a big ping pong guy. Like I could see him being really

good and really into ping pong. Matt: Do you think Nick went to as Marty Supreme for for Halloween? Kali Long: That would be funny. That movie was chaos. Matt: my gosh. Yeah. So actually write in, if you're at the bottom of the summies and you see the other, right in where you think Nick Nick Cushing's offseason hobbies are. We're gonna force Nick to Nick's gonna have to Kali Long: New category. Matt: come out and tell us and then participate. what is it? what is it? all the girls play Fortnite, I think Ayo and Jazz confirmed for us. Kali Long: Yeah, a lot of g a lot of the girls Yeah, a lot of girls play Fortnite. There's some board game happen happening. Don't don't spoil our episodes. Guinness. Matt: could I could see Nick being like a big Warhammer guy. That's a Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: huge miniatures tactical war board game that's really big in the UK. I could see I could see that. Kali Long: Okay. the new Zelda game just came out. Maybe that's what he's been spinning the Yeah, the new old Zelda. Matt: You mean the new old Zelda game? Real ones no. Kali Long: Okay, okay. It's still a new release of the same thing. Uh-huh. I know. Matt: Oak arena of time. Yeah, but when you say like that, there are kids out there that don't know that that came out on the N sixty four. we gotta we gotta Kali Long: Okay, well Matt: carry carry the oral history. Kali Long: As as any other thing that we talk about, please do your own research. yes, it's the new old Zelda. And it's great. Matt: It's Kali Long: I stayed up till two AM playing it last night. So Yeah. I I was Matt: you got it? Dang. Kali Long: literally working on sum it up stuff and then Ryan just comes into the office and he's like It's time. We gotta go. And I was like, Where are we going? And he was like, Target. I was like, Why are we going to Target at seven PM? and you don't like going to Target. What do mean? And so then we went, got the new game, came home and I stayed up way too late, which was really annoying of me, but I had a really fun time. Matt: Wait, did you already did you buy the switch too, or do you you guys already have that? Cause it's just on T okay. I just have the Kali Long: We already had the switch too, yeah. Yeah yeah. Matt: I have the original switch and I'm still backlogged. I need to finish Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom first. s before I I saw some of the videos. It looks Yeah. Kali Long: Yeah. I will say it's beautiful. The the graphics are insane. Matt: Someone I forget the comment that was like, nothing's taking me back to a time or place more than like Hearing the Ocarina song as the wind's whipping through Oponia's hair and I and I gallop across Hyrule, like Yeah. Kali Long: It's really it's really fun. I'm learning to play it right now. It's the Ocarina, not the game. The I'm it's it's just great. No, I didn't g Matt: You got a real Ocarina? This is your offseason episode one of the twenty twenty-seven season of Sum It Up. The intro is just gonna be you playing the Ocarina. Kali Long: It's just me. Matt: You guys I asked her if I could beatbox at the beginning of this episode and if she'd say the intro Kali Long: Ryan would love that. my gosh. Matt: paragraph like a a rap and she said no. So I think Ocarina intro for Summit Up twenty twenty seven. Kali Long: I'm okay with an instrumental performance. The last thing anybody needs in their ears is either one of us exactly. Matt: beatboxing. Kali Long: What is happening now? Matt: I don't know. no, just final thoughts on the match. North Carolina courage, good game. I wish it ended in a draw because then we'd have a winning season. That was the worst part about me. It's just like being a numbers guy. Like it's it's symmetrical having an eleven, eight, and eleven record wins, draws, and losses. But Kali Long: Yep. Matt: if we had had an eleven, nine, and ten, then we count the first season as a winning season. we we were seven four and four at home and four four and seven away. so much about this team was just beautifully symmetrical in in a way that we didn't make the playoffs. Kali Long: We're gonna have a whole numerology segment from Matt after that. Matt: Yeah, and wait till I tell you about the map that's on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Guys. Kali Long: Yeah. Matt: Guys. Kali Long: Okay, well, stay tuned for our end of season recap. We're gonna be talking through the whole season. This was just our final match recap. And then we've got the summies coming up, guys. Again, go vote for your favorite players, write in your favorite new categories, write in all the comments. we are so excited to share just the love and excitement that this community has started even more around even in the postseason. Matt: And guys, remember, don't make fun of what happened at 7.36 p.m. at the 5280 party to Kali tonight. Don't do that. Kali Long: Matt, you're starting lore with no one but yourself. Matt: That's been my whole life, audience of one. Kali Long: Well till next time, sum it up. Matt: Sum it up.