Kali: Summit Up, your one-stop shop for All Things Denver Summit FC and plenty of side hikes into the greater Indivisa landscape, women's sports in Denver, and everything you should know about the culture and community of soccer at 5280. As always, I'm your host and with me is our other host, Matt. We have two matches to recap today and one to preview, so with several updates on the team. So let's dive in. Matt take us peak to peak.
Matt: You paused for a second at the beginning when you said, as always, like maybe you forgot who you were. Are you are you feeling okay?
Kali: I just want people to rem to remember us, you know? I just you never know what what people are Yeah. Yeah,
Matt: dramatic Paul. So it was like a drum roll, please.
Kali: yeah, exactly.
Matt: Well, as we go peak to peak, I'll I'll cite a a big moment for host Kaylee Long as well as Michaela Schiffrin this weekend. They celebrated stick season with the Noah Khan concert
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: at at the Rocky Stadium Coors Field. some vigilant summit fans will recall that Michaela Schiffrin posted a video. saying she sorely could not make the rescheduled match last weekend and internet sleuts found out is because she had no a con tickets, which I mean Kaylee, are you gonna falter on that one?
Kali: No, I'm not gonna falter at all. In fact, that was my first thought when I texted you of, love that the match is being rescheduled for the heat. I do think that it's gonna be impacted by the concert. I was so thankful that my tickets were for Sunday night, not Saturday night, because I could watch the game and go to the concert. But no, I can't falter for it. It was an incredible concert.
Matt: See Michaela, like, come on. Like, she's a gold medalist. She should have been able to plan ahead. If you could plan ahead that far, Michaela, all right, you're on you're on notice. You gotta come on the pod and apologize. I didn't put you on notice. Kaylee put you on notice, Michaela. Like, look,
Kali: I don't no, no, no, I don't believe that's fair at all. I did not.
Matt: I'm just saying.
Kali: No, you don't understand, Matt. It seems like you're not really a Noah Con fan because you don't understand how hard it was to to get tickets from the original release. And then I know that there were tickets available for a much steeper price, but this is quite the tour. I know we've now digressed from soccer to Noah Con, but it is an exp it is a spiritual experience to go to Noah Con concert. It was incredible. You basically just cry with a with thirty, I don't guess thirty thousand. I don't know how many that stadium holds. other fans and it wa it was amazing. I could not recommend it more. Step off Michaela because she deserved to be there. And it I do believe it was
Matt: I mean that's a valid ex
Kali: in Summit's favor because Noah was holding a summit jersey, which we did report on. I did talk about that on our stories. Noah Khan got a summit, Denver Summit FC jersey. So now he's repping the summit. And I think that is worth maybe not missing maybe missing a game.
Matt: That's fair. If if the concert experience is as spiritual as you make it out to be, maybe Michaela gifting that summit jersey was what got us that 94th minute game winner. But I'm gonna lend more credence
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: to the power of Janine Saunas than Noah Khan.
Kali: Ha ha
Matt: But yeah, I digress. So in addition to stick season, if any of you have ears, it's also sniffle season. I I am going to be making nasal sounds throughout the the episode. So I'm just gonna get that out front. I'd apologize. My my best bud was in from DC and I think he he trafficked some germs from the swamp and and got me this cold and flu season. So I'm gonna make it through as best as possible. Hopefully I have like a Michael Jordan flu game, but I apologize for the the pitch and timber of my voice throughout this episode. Finally.
Kali: Apology accepted.
Matt: thank thanks. Thanks. I wasn't apologizing to you. I was apologizing to the listeners.
Kali: Well, I I needed one. Thank you.
Matt: At this point we've heard each other's voices too too many times to have to apologize for them.
Kali: I agree.
Matt: Like listen to each other's voices play back in the editing bay, like
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: Now for our third season, it's inbound outbound season. To date, we've had the incomings of Kat Asman and Gemma Bonner to match the outgoings of PPM, Lorde Spache, and Faith Weber. That notably puts us down a woman ratio wise. Two, if you include the season ending injury of Nahikara Garcia. We'll get to that in a second. But first, since we already said their names, it was announced overnight, down under, that Sydney FC, the A League women's side, Has signed forward Faith Weber to a one-year contract for the 26-27 A-League women's season. Weber was signed to Denver January 17th of this year, loaned to Tampa Bay Sun in the Gambridge USL Super League 13 days later on January 30th, in exchange for one Natasha Flint. She never appeared to return to training with a summit at the end of her loan to the Tampa Bay Sun, which coincided with the end of the Super League season in July. So a move was almost a foregone conclusion, and we finally got the destination. Faith will join the Sky Blues after a two-goal and one assist campaign with Tampa Bay across nine starts, fourteen appearances, and seven hundred and fifty-six minutes. Both Sydney FC and Faith seem really stoked on this move. So Kaylee, I gotta say I'm just as stoked for them. Now for the heartbreaker. Friend of the pod, Lorda Sposch, was announced yesterday to have permanently transferred to Liga Meki Feminile Side CF Monterey. Fans will recall. Yeah, yeah, hard hands. Hard hands in the chat, y'all. Put them up. Pour pour one out. fans will recall that Lordis was immediately loaned out to the Riattas last fall after her August signing to Denver. from Melbourne City. Well, while she was staying warm in Mexico, waiting for the summit's first NWSL season to start, I guess she made a damn fine impression, Kaylee. Because one seems to do that with two goals, coming in new across five starts, eight appearances, and four hundred and twenty four minutes. Notwithstanding is the senior Mexican national team called up call-up she had in May of 2025. Her constant involvement in the sub-23 national team, which capped off last week with a gold medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games held this year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In that tournament, Lorda started four out of the five matches at left wing for Mexico. And while capping off the run with hardware, the gold medal, she also solidified her name on the team. with an early goal in the semifinal against El Salvador. So needless to say, at the beginning of this news, we adore Lorda. She was the first person we spoke to from the summit. We will be hardcore Iatis fans watching going forward. we'll we'll look to to get her on to talk about her experience with the summit or or lack thereof, but we're really excited to hear about the Central American games and a new restart with Monterey permanently. In League I mechis feminine. Any thoughts on that, Kayleigh?
Kali: My first thought is I'm so sad to see her go. I really wanted to see her be worked into the lineup and see her get to shine. But I am excited for her. If this is what's best for her, that's fantastic. She should be somewhere that she gets the minutes and gets to shine. So nothing but happiness for her. Wish you all the best, Lourdes.
Matt: I I will add, this is a bit of a head scratcher. You and I have talked about this constantly, that she sparked in preseason. Getting to watch her week in and week out in training, her battles as left wing versus right back Iooka were were just like cinematic affairs, popcorn scenes.
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: We we loved watching that. she had a flair and a sauciness that I think was severely lacking, which we'll talk about here in a second. But the fact that she she made five game day rosters and appeared throughout none of them,
Kali: Mm.
Matt: I don't know. maybe, maybe that's a a fit discrepancy between the tactics that Nick wanted to employ, chemistry with the players on the field. what I will say is I didn't know that Nahi Kara Garcia was Lourdes' bestie on the team. So with Nahi out, rehabbing her knee injury, It it seems like maybe this is the perfect time to to get Lourdes to a place that will actually let her showcase her talents, of which there are many.
Kali: Yes, I agree.
Matt: That brings us back to inbound, outbound, imbalances of this transfer window. We've said it, Nick said it, players have said it. Janine Saunas simply can't be expected to be the top scorer, assistor, and a d defender on this team. I mean, she is those things, Kaylee. So shout out to Devin Lynch on that last one. But she shouldn't be expected to be on a on a balanced team tactically, no?
Kali: No, she absolutely should not be expected to be. She w we need some reprieve for Jenny and Saunas.
Matt: Which brings me to my now weekly insert MVP rant. NW Cell, what are you thinking? How have we not seen any media about Janine Saunas in an MVP race? I mean, come on, she's sitting seventh in goals scored. She's what now four back from just like born goal scorer Barbara Banda. second place is eleven. There's a four-way tie for Third place with nine goals. And then there's Janine Saunas with eight. She is a defender. She is from Colorado. She was the captain of this team, still is co-captain of the team. She is stepping up and producing at the death miracle moments on free kicks to get her team back in the playoff race against Continental Divide rivals. Like, I want to see the assets, NWSL. I know you're listening. Put up some graphics, like. Janine Sonas for MVP. Like everyone get on board. Let's let's make the shirts. Let's make buttons. Let's send letters. I don't know what we do nowadays, but this needs to happen.
Kali: Yeah, put some respect on our girl. She she deserves it.
Matt: Yeah. That that's Janine Becky y'all are talking about if you don't remember.
Kali: Ha ha ha.
Matt: Meanwhile, Janice's just like casually posting videos of her driving a big ass pickup truck and going to various coffee roastings and and soccer trainings. Like nothing's happening. She's too casual with this. She needs to be the MVP.
Kali: Yeah, on in addition to her soccer accolades, she is an entre entrepreneur and business owner. Like what literally what can
Matt: Yeah.
Kali: can she do?
Matt: Saving games in the same week she's launching companies
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: MVP.
Kali: MB Pay.
Matt: Jess Berman, you're on notice, just like Michaela Schiffred, and that comes from Kayleigh Long, not me.
Kali: Matt, you're firing off shots in my name and you're gonna have to deliver on them. So you're gonna Matt, you're on notice.
Matt: I told you this was gonna be a spicy one.
Kali: Yeah, it seems as though Matt with a cold is a spicy Matt.
Matt: Yeah, I gotta heat it up. I gotta heat it up. So that brings us back to how we fix the lack of finishing on the Summit squad as of late. And as everyone in Portland has angrily
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: messaged us, like on every platform, apparently we should stop picking on this.
Kali: Angry message just because you keep inciting them. You're picking fights.
Matt: I think I am like enemy number one for all of the ro or the Thorns fan base. The amount of comments and DMs we get
Kali: You're definitely getting up there.
Matt: I don't know if you've seen the Seth Meyer show, but he has he has a writer on there and they do a segment where Seth will make fun of fun of someone and then he'll stand up out of the audience and go, Leave him alone. And I feel
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: like that's what every Portland Thorns fan is doing to me every time I mention hashtag bring so fome.
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: So we're gonna give them a reprieve this week. I would say they shouldn't be selfish. They got her for all this time. They got a championship ring out of it. I think this is very much a like got it, flaunt it, boy, I know you want it situation. And we want it more right now. That's why we're probably ironing out a longer-term deal than the slapdash one-year player option that Portland was forced to retain her on. So I'm just saying, actually, I Seems like I'm coming after Portland Moore after I said I wouldn't. But I know they've had some sad news this week with Olivia Moultrie going on the season ending injury list with an ACL tier. You hate to see that, especially such a young star, friend to so many players on our team through the US women's national team system. So we're gonna, we're gonna move our ire over to another fan base right now. Are you okay with that? Do you do you know which fan base we're about to move our iron over to?
Kali: Yep. Tell us.
Matt: All right. So the situation in Louisville has not gotten better on the table nor in the press. As this past week it was released that they quote, seek new investment and quote, relocation not off the table. So that just buttons it up for me that we should go ahead and help out the strugging struggling lavender side with a small capital injection. Because they lost their leverage when Emma Sears. Point blank asked in public for a trade. So let's skimble something, something and let's float them through to their next season as racing Reno. For her part, Emma has made sure her suitors know she's a drop-in difference maker, scoring a brace and an assist in her last two matches since requesting the trade. So again, we say, Janine, Carson, get your girl. That okay with you, Kaylee? I know you've got some.
Kali: Yeah, I would l I would love to see Emma join Summit. I mean, I definitely feel like there's a spot for her to showcase some of that aw awesome talent that she has and would also just be a fun little moment for me and my family who's all back in Kentucky. Personally, as you know, obviously the show is about me and all of my personal connections to the other NW Cell teams. but yeah, I I really like seeing Emma C
Matt: And all of the decorated women you put on blast.
Kali: Okay, we you're gonna have to step off, Matt. I'm gonna show up to your house and take your microphone. but no, MS years coming to summit would be great. Janine Carson, yeah. I mean you you know what it's like to make the transition, so just let's let's get the new the new in.
Matt: All right. Lastly, a few bits and bobs. Lindsay Heaps made the cover of Sports Illustrated, which was a much cooler thing to say when it was written by actual humans. Delaney Sheehan made her hundredth NWSL appearance against The Courage, only to be upstaged by Kaylee Kurtz's 150th NW NWSL appearance against Utah. Janine Sanas made the NWCL XI of the month again. and that goes alongside her appearance with Abby Smith on the match day 16 team of the week. Also, as if starring in the hit TV series Ted Lasso wasn't enough. Spoilers, sorry, but come on, it's been a week. Temwachewinga is single-handedly the biggest source of GDP for Malawi, it would seem like now. She's lighting up the WAFCON tournament, women's AFCON. Malawi knocked off Ghana in the quarterfinals, which in turn secures them their first ever qualification to the World Cup. the Southeast African nation will receive a winfall of funds both from this tournament. and entry into the World Cup. And that's surely going to give more exposure to a team that started 24 years ago on the international scene and hopefully spotlight the hundreds of Temuet Shuingas that are already out there waiting for their opportunities, but then also create more brilliant Malawi women's and men's national team soccer players. That's what I got.
Kali: That was an incredible peek to peek. So much news floating around this week. And moving on to our game recaps. We have two game recaps to talk about this episode because we missed one, mostly because the schedule was insane last week. Three games in one week, and one of us out of town. You guys, we are doing our best, but we've got two to cover today. Bless you, Matt.
Matt: Thank you.
Kali: This one was frustrating. Let's talk about the North Carolina courage versus Denver Summit. Oof, man, I yeah, this one was a hard one. Summit looked right there the whole time, but the final product just wasn't, which Nick talked a lot about in the post-game. The team has been working incredibly hard, but the moments just haven't been falling Summit's way up until up. Up to this point with North Carolina. Against a team like the Courage almost does not get you points and does not get you goals. The first big moment to happen before kickoff as Lindsay Heaps was originally in the lineup, but very last second, scratched after experiencing some swelling. Nick talked about after the game that team doctor ultimately made the call to pull her. and you definitely could feel her absence in that game, which obviously we support the health of Lindsay above her playing in a game, but it was still very much, much a buzz and much of a bummer going into this match. Denver still created opportunities. Tash Flint had some moments. Steven Lynch had a really good look right before halftime. but we went into the break tied 0-0 with this game still completely there for them to claim if they seemingly wanted it. Matt, looking back on that game, do you remember what you were thinking going into the halftime?
Matt: Yeah, at halftime this just felt like deja vu. I think I posted on the blue sky. Same story, different day. It seemed like the summit were just like creating all sorts of chances that that they couldn't finish. and and that's the difference. North Carolina Courage are a really good team. So at halftime leaving them in, that's just that's rough. we talked about the ruthlessness, we talked about the stepping on the neck. Like you gotta do something to convert all of that. build up and an offensive creation that you're doing and and while Yuzu, Tosh, Yaz, and MK were all getting rips, the fact that it's not producing a a scoreboard result was was really, really difficult for them.
Kali: Yeah. Immediately out of halftime, though, everything kinda changed. Ava got tangled up with Erica Parkinson in the box. North Carolina was awarded a penalty, and then Riley Jackson converted. It was one zero courage, and I think collectively there was just a sigh and a head hanging of Dang, not not again after something like that. Cushing called the penalty soft, but Denver had essentially an entire half to respond to that too. So whether you agree that the penalty was soft or not, nevertheless. Cushing called the penalty soft, and I agree personally. but whether you agree or disagree, Denver still had an entire half to respond to that. And I think that's where the real frustration l was for me. And that because they never really found it. There were corners, there were half chances, there were moments where Flint tried to make something happen, but there was never a goal to change that game for us. And then because, you know, sports love a storyline and the the This has to be something cinematic for us. The dagger for the final part of this game actually came in the eighty first minute when Inglewood's own Allie Schlegel In the 81st minute, Inglewood's very own Allie Schliegel got behind and eventually finished the chance and made it 2-0. A Colorado kid coming home and scoring against Colorado's NWSL team. I mean, that's just rude. That was frustrating again. And for me, this game just comes about comes back to things that we've talked about all season. Denver, we have to become more ruthless. They're not getting outplayed. They're getting into dangerous areas and showing stretches of what this team can. be, but as Nick kind of talked about, some things were just not falling in their favor. and it's just something that we need to execute better on. For this game overall, close is fine early in on the season, but at this point, I feel like everyone really felt the weight of this loss. And personally, I felt the weight of this loss even more because it was my birthday. And I really wanted a win for my birthday. And I know that is so selfish and probably incredibly annoying of me to say. But I just when you believe so much and have so much faith and expectation in a team and to see it be so close over and over and again to then come out with two zero, it it wasn't the story of a two-zero game to me. It was a lot closer than that. And so that was really frustrating to see, which we now know because this is in retrospect talking about the game that there is a light later on in the week. But Matt, what were you thinking as well after this game?
Matt: a couple of things since you you brought up Ali Schlegel. It seems like if you are a Colorado kid and you come to Centennial Stadium, you will score. Sof did it. Allie did it. I'm surprised Ryan Williams didn't do it because Centennial's her hometown. She she started it right back for the courage and had a fantastic game. So at least she I don't know, had mercy on us by not scoring as well. other thoughts on this game was I credit to where it's due, North Carolina. I thought Sheridan was amazing in goal. I thought Macy Bell, Philly Rausch, and Riley Jackson were really fun in the the mid and back lines going against our team. I always like watching those attacking, defending battles. And so that was really entertaining for me. Ashley Sanchez also super entertain entertaining on the pitch that night.
Kali: Mm.
Matt: I think what we talked about the previous episode was needing to get Olivia and Melissa going, but The chance in the 59th minute and the chance in the 76th minute, I think maybe what we need is to just get Tosh back coin. Like
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: maybe, maybe that's what we're missing is the Tosh flit renaissance.
Kali: Yeah, I agree. I I feel like there was just so many moments from her that o i it just felt so close and I don't know if she's still dealing with any sort of rib pain or anything of that nature, but just felt like there was a little bit of something that was not there for her in that game.
Matt: Yeah. Needless to say, I know it was your birthday, but other people were probably sore about this one, including Kurt Johnson, who had spent a long time with the courage. Similarly, Kaylee Kurtz, who spent eight seasons with them. I know this was a game they they were looking to win. This seemed like a particularly exhausting midweek Wednesday night game, in a a highly congested slate. And I think we kind of heard that from from Tosh and and Coach Cushing after that in the the postgame that this was a Frustrating loss.
Kali: Well it was a tough loss on Wednesday, moving on to our Saturday game against the Utah Royals in our Continental Divide Cup. Now, at this point we all know the result of the game, but let's talk about it. You know, I was just saying how Denver needed to find a way to win those little moments and really get that connection. They did. And possibly in one of the most dramatic ways possible, which I love the flare for dramatics, of course. Denver beat Utah 2-1 at Centennial, snapping a three-game winless streak and taking three massive points against Royals. Who are sitting in third in the league. They did it without Lindsay Heaps, who remained out of the game, still with knee injury. And the first half wasn't necessarily pretty. Utah actually outshot Denver 10 to 6, but neither team really could find a breakthrough. And we went into halftime 0-0. Matt, I wasn't able to make the game, as we know, and as we talked about on socials, that I guess people are voting that yes, I should be banned since we won. Matt, going into halftime at the stadium. What was the vibe? Was everyone excited? Was you know were we thinking this is gonna be just like courage? Where we're zero zero at halftime? What what was the vibe?
Matt: Yeah, I mean I will say based on your attendance or future attendance to to the game, it's it's just superstition and business, Kaylee. It's not personal. Like actually,
Kali: Okay guys, look, I'll take one for the team.
Matt: Jess Berman and Michaela Schiffrin texted me that you can't come back. yeah, but I mean, a one thing I I noted at the beginning of this game when the teams line up to get the whistle to kick off the game, Only the attack went and lined up. The defense stayed back for a second huddle. So Janine, Io, Ava, Kaylee, and Abby all took like another 30, 45 second huddle while the game was waiting to kick off. So that was something I I clocked from the onset. And I think it was important that they did so because in the half, utah were the better team. They were doing their best summon impression of constantly getting into the box and not finishing. And I don't think it's From a lack of ability to finish on their part because they were creating really high quality opportunities. But it's from just the sheer will of Abby Smith and and the defense to to cut down those chances at every point and to block and to come out for them. And this was this was really Summit's defense kept them in the game at this point. Natalie Means and Yaz Ryan were were looking good on the flanks for us at halftime. Ali Brazier had gotten the start at the nine, but For the most part, this was just a game of how stalwart can our defense be in the second half?
Kali: Yeah, I did not get to see that extra little huddle because I was watching from my TV and they did not show that. So I'm really glad to hear that you clocked that immediately. And it sounds like it was making all the difference. Because when Denver came out after the half, they almost immediately found what they were missing against North Carolina. And in the fifty-first minute, Janine Sana sent a beautiful b ball into the bat box. Yasmeen Ryan beat her marker and finished it off. But it was really interesting to hear Yaz talk about that cross-in in post, which we'll include here, because she she kind of talks about how like it was a great ball in, but it did bobble and what was going through her mind at that moment. so we'll include that here. I too love Janine's crosses, yeah, so couldn't agree with you more on that one. It was Yasmin Ryan's fourth goal of the season and her second against Utah. After Yasmin's goal, things got a little chaotic. Utah kept pushing and in the 89th minute. It's Tatum Milazzo.
Matt: Dramatic pause. Yeah, Tatum Milazzo.
Kali: In the 89th minute, Tatum Milazzo found the equalizer. And I think every Summit fan probably had the same thought. You gotta be kidding me. Not again. because Lagos have really hurt this team all season. Denver had already conceded seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches so far this year, but this time Denver did not let it get them down. They responded. Fourth minute of stoppage time, free kick just outside the box. Janine Saunas steps up. our our vote for MVP and it was a beautiful goal that squeezed right under and past the goalie. I mean absolutely electric. I think you could hear the whole city of Denver scream. It was in my moment, in my mind, game over. Absolute game over. Just maintain and we're done. I think they're people are gonna start naming their kids after Janine after that goal. Honestly. babies will be born, little Janine's screams heard round the city. And again, I annoyingly wasn't able to be at the game. I got him. I got him, guys. Matt, tell us what you're thinking when I said that.
Matt: Nine clock it nine months from now, guys. I want all of the hospital birth records, all of the adoptions. I wanna see how many Janines show up. What is it, August now? Yeah, so neck
Kali: It's gonna be a name that's circulating, let me tell ya.
Matt: next May there's gonna be a surge of Janines, guys.
Kali: Yep. Yep. I mean it would be a beautiful first name, beautiful middle name. By all means.
Matt: Or just name their kids MVP 'cause she'll have the award by then.
Kali: By the absolutely. Moving on. I do think that unfortunately me not being able to be at this game has like I know I've already said it, but it it has gotten in my head. Like maybe I need to not be there. I I think that's quite the inflated ego of me to say. thinking I have so much sway on the team, but I am jealous of how much electricity I missed being in that stadium. I did get to see a really fun shot from the camera view of Nick running and jumping and having this cinematic moment. but other than that, Matt, I mean I can only imagine how great it was in the stadium. Tell us what it was like.
Matt: Yeah, that that Janine moment, like there's this fantastic shot. Janine literally just like drops to her knees. So a few of the photographers got a shot of her just like aerial, like off the ground, but still with her knees bent, just like pure elation. You see the entire come to her or entire team come to her. Allie Brazier in the end says Allie's crying. Janine's crying. They're all just like so happy. This felt like such a cathartic goal for them. I absolutely love. Who the goal came from and Janine, which I I've done my best to make sure that yes, Lindsay Heaps is here. Yes, that's amazing. But y'all don't forget who got us to the this point. Like put some respect on Janine Becky Sanas' name with that MVP trophy. but it it seemed like it meant worlds to them. Like the this week had been
Kali: Mm.
Matt: so arduous. We'll hear about it, but yeah, I that was an all timer, all timer moment for me. That was amazing. And What a beautiful free kick from just the technical standpoint. You see Janine in the
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: replay take a breath, eyes down, never looks at the goalkeep keeper to kind of give up where she's gonna go and just slots it in perfectly. a couple other things just on the game in total. There was a pretty controversial moment in the first half in the 43rd minute where it seemed like a clear no call where the summit should have gotten a penalty on a leg sweep from Kaylee Kurtz and going into a game where Utah equalizes and it looks like that non-call could have been the difference versus Janine just taking the game out of the ref's hand and winning it soundly. Those are the like the sports cliche of you you always win the game yourself. Never let anyone else take control of the situation for you. And I thought that was such a big moment for a young team to to really do that. and then I was having a lot of fun watching Ali Brazier in this match. She came out of the second half like a a bat out of hell, like completely on fire. She was going at Anna Tejada, she was going Kate Delfava. Naria Rabano at times, like just she was selling fouls, she was drawing contact, she was sprinting everywhere. She had two near goal opportunities. And I just want to like give all the flowers to Ali Ali Brazier here. She was playing her head off like I thought she surely would get a goal. She surely deserved one. And I dropped my earbud.
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: And I think this was a I think this was a really big moment for Allie to to get the start at the nine, be the person her team needed. And so kudos to to Ali Brazier in this game.
Kali: It's also been just great to see the fans respond to Allie too. Allie has a a very, very strong fandom behind her. Everyone was so excited to see her start, was so excited to see her just get in those moments, like you said. And talking to her in the postgame presser, it was great to see that not only was she excited to s to play, she was ready to play. And she's just as excited for her teammates. Like the I think that's been really fun to see. across this season is how much the heart of the team this seems like a very unselfish team and I don't know if that is unique or if that it feels unique or if just NWCL players are really great people but it just feels like the team itself is incredibly excited for everyone else equally to their own success which is cool to see.
Matt: Alright, y'all. Kaylee had to depart. It's not like we kicked her off the show. I know we've talked about her not coming back to the games after Utah's result, but she is still welcome on all of the episodes. Hopefully, just like last match against the San Diego Wave and Denver Summit, she shows up for more than one half next time. That said, let's get into the game preview for San Diego Wave versus Denver Summit. Wayback Machine. Let's go all the way to April 25th, 2026. Denver Summit make their second ever match appearance in the state of Colorado, this time moving northeast from Mile High Stadium and 63,004 fans to Dick Sporting Goods Park and approximately 46,000 less faces in the stands. Still loud, y'all. It was really loud and a sellout. San Diego Wave are in town. Kennedy Wesley and Yuzuki Yamamoto. Had just played this very stadium a week prior in the US women's national team versus the Japan women's national team match. Kennedy Wesley scored in that, foreshadowingly. Emma Hayes is in attendance. She and her son were back from a massive time in the mountains seeing snow for the first time. Denver comes out looking feisty. Yaz and I were finding joy up and down the flanks. Tosh and MK well positioned for receiving the attack. It works. First, with Yaz to MK in the 16th minute. Second to Tosh from Tosh. Yes, you heard that right. In the 32nd minute. Summit her up 2-0. The halftime whistle blows, and that's it. That's absolutely all that happened, folks. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar and probably a Royals fan. Flash forward. The number four on table team, San Diego Wave, hosts a return fixture against the number 10 Denver Summit. A lot has changed for the summit in the way they conduct their games. A lot has changed in the Wave's attacking front. Additionally, Kat Macario and Lindsay Heaps are still not going to play in this matchup. Both high billings for both teams. Wave are on their third main keeper of the season, after Leah Freeman, who the summit faced in April, departed for Lazio. Didi Harichich, injured her leg, and Sadrapanos took over mid July. Perhaps a boon for a finishing jelted summit side? Perhaps not. Panos has three goals conceded in one clean sheet in her three matches. If the summit are going to attack her, it'll probably be with crosses or balls into the box. As Sandra's stats say she's not really a claimer or a climber. If one of the strikers doesn't score a goal tonight, I swear Nick Cushing is going to jump out of his skin. And after last Saturday, We know exactly how high Nick can jump. Speaking of last Saturday, Denver capped off an exhausting three game week with an absolute emotional high care of one Janine Sanas. I've seen the team a lot of ways this season, and after that match, I saw players that felt like they lifted a curse. Can they find that magic again? San Diego are better on the road where they beat Denver last time around than they are at home. Summit are as Even Stevens as it gets, home and away, but have given up four less goals on the road. A summit defense that hung tough against Utah will have unseen faces to defend, and Gia Corley on the left, Trinity Byers up top, and Melanie Barsenis on the right. That trio has nine goals and three assists collectively. To go with Leah Godfrey's five and four at the ten. If you remember. Leah scored on his last match with a nice solo effort into the box. Summit found a lot of attacking ease back in April, but their batteries died coming out of the locker room. The big question will be how well rested are they after last week? Can they play a full 90 plus match? And how many goals does Janine Sonas need to score for this game to end in a win? My prediction, Janine only has to score one. Final result, 2-0. Goal scores, like I said, Janine Sonas, and I'm Ever itching for MK to get out of the slump. I think she breaks it open and gets a goal this week. San Diego are on the skids and have scored three in their last five, giving up seven and going one, one, and three. So I'm pretty comfortable here giving Abby Smith the clean sheet because I thought the way she and the back line defended against Utah really earned that possibility. Let's go get it tonight. Let us know your score predictions. Hit us up on socials.
Bangarang: Yeah, we're well aware of San Diego's quality. I we sort of had a game of two halves against them. We went 2-0 up in the first half at home here in Dix. Played really well, possibly our best half of football this year with the ball in possession. Second half, they came at us and we didn't manage to get over the line with the win. So we sort of see both sides of it when we allow them space and when we allow them the ability to attack us. But we also know that we can cause them problems. We're off the back of a good win with Utah. A different win, actually. Probably didn't control the game as much as we did against Boston and Houston in games that we didn't win. But we managed to get the win in this one. So a real good learning curve for us. She's still day to day, she's doing okay. She's working through the small problem that she's got. She's continuing to stay in condition so that as soon as she's ready to play, she can play. So it's day to day at the moment. Like I've said before, it's something that we're not overly concerned about. We're just going to allow the medical team to work through the process and make sure that, I said earlier in the week, for me, finishing strong this season with Lindsay is far more important than rushing her now. I don't know if they feel rested, but they definitely feel better than they did in a Wednesday, Saturday turnaround. We gave them two days off, so they were able to go and spend some time, family and friends, and rest and recover. And their energy this week in practice has been excellent. So, yeah, we're excited for the game. It's going to be a tough one, but we're excited. Has she exceeded your expectations this season or it seems like she's played great? I think she's, I think she's hitting the level that I expect in the sense of the desire to win and the desire to outperform, but for sure she is over performing for a new team. She's been here, she's developing relationships, she's the leader of the team. I've worked with her previously, but not for eight years. So to find her level. so quickly and be so consistent I think is such an asset for the team. Yeah, we've had a few jokes about it, but it seems to be, you know, I think that is me in that moment where it's just really organic and it's just, you know, the desire to win. This team deserves more points and I know... you get what in sport it is what it is. But we've played really well in games that we haven't won. We're developing every week. The team are investing in each other and in this organisation. So I was really desperate for them to get that win after a three-game home stand. And yeah, I believe we really deserved it. reached 100 regular season appearances and all that. Can you just talk about her progression and impact on the team this season? She's brought real experience to our midfield. You could see at the start of the year we didn't have any NWSL experience in our midfield. So we knew that we were going to be developing our team when we look at our midfield and progressing the ball and being an organized defensive unit. We then had the opportunity to trade for Delaney after game one, which was really critical for us. And she's... being top, you know, the communication, the experience she brings. I still feel she has more level and we can really develop Delaney into being a really good ball player midfield that can keep possession, that can progress the ball, that can create chances with the last pass. And that's just part of the process, but really enjoying working with her. She's a huge asset for our team and improved us, you know, has improved us as the season's gone on. expectations of her and what is she going to add to this team? I expect there to be a presence in locker room to bring her experience of defending and experience of the game in general. Her experience of winning and her winning mindset, but also she'll add quality on the field for us. When she goes in as a defender, she's a really, really high level defender. She's good with the ball, so good to add some experience to the team, somebody that I've had experience with, but also is a real winner.
Matt: As always, we're summit up. You can find us on Blue Sky at Summit Up. You can find us on Instagram at Summit Up Show. we'll be watching the game on NWSL Plus tonight. And we will see you soon. Thanks.
Matt: You paused for a second at the beginning when you said, as always, like maybe you forgot who you were. Are you are you feeling okay?
Kali: I just want people to rem to remember us, you know? I just you never know what what people are Yeah. Yeah,
Matt: dramatic Paul. So it was like a drum roll, please.
Kali: yeah, exactly.
Matt: Well, as we go peak to peak, I'll I'll cite a a big moment for host Kaylee Long as well as Michaela Schiffrin this weekend. They celebrated stick season with the Noah Khan concert
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: at at the Rocky Stadium Coors Field. some vigilant summit fans will recall that Michaela Schiffrin posted a video. saying she sorely could not make the rescheduled match last weekend and internet sleuts found out is because she had no a con tickets, which I mean Kaylee, are you gonna falter on that one?
Kali: No, I'm not gonna falter at all. In fact, that was my first thought when I texted you of, love that the match is being rescheduled for the heat. I do think that it's gonna be impacted by the concert. I was so thankful that my tickets were for Sunday night, not Saturday night, because I could watch the game and go to the concert. But no, I can't falter for it. It was an incredible concert.
Matt: See Michaela, like, come on. Like, she's a gold medalist. She should have been able to plan ahead. If you could plan ahead that far, Michaela, all right, you're on you're on notice. You gotta come on the pod and apologize. I didn't put you on notice. Kaylee put you on notice, Michaela. Like, look,
Kali: I don't no, no, no, I don't believe that's fair at all. I did not.
Matt: I'm just saying.
Kali: No, you don't understand, Matt. It seems like you're not really a Noah Con fan because you don't understand how hard it was to to get tickets from the original release. And then I know that there were tickets available for a much steeper price, but this is quite the tour. I know we've now digressed from soccer to Noah Con, but it is an exp it is a spiritual experience to go to Noah Con concert. It was incredible. You basically just cry with a with thirty, I don't guess thirty thousand. I don't know how many that stadium holds. other fans and it wa it was amazing. I could not recommend it more. Step off Michaela because she deserved to be there. And it I do believe it was
Matt: I mean that's a valid ex
Kali: in Summit's favor because Noah was holding a summit jersey, which we did report on. I did talk about that on our stories. Noah Khan got a summit, Denver Summit FC jersey. So now he's repping the summit. And I think that is worth maybe not missing maybe missing a game.
Matt: That's fair. If if the concert experience is as spiritual as you make it out to be, maybe Michaela gifting that summit jersey was what got us that 94th minute game winner. But I'm gonna lend more credence
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: to the power of Janine Saunas than Noah Khan.
Kali: Ha ha
Matt: But yeah, I digress. So in addition to stick season, if any of you have ears, it's also sniffle season. I I am going to be making nasal sounds throughout the the episode. So I'm just gonna get that out front. I'd apologize. My my best bud was in from DC and I think he he trafficked some germs from the swamp and and got me this cold and flu season. So I'm gonna make it through as best as possible. Hopefully I have like a Michael Jordan flu game, but I apologize for the the pitch and timber of my voice throughout this episode. Finally.
Kali: Apology accepted.
Matt: thank thanks. Thanks. I wasn't apologizing to you. I was apologizing to the listeners.
Kali: Well, I I needed one. Thank you.
Matt: At this point we've heard each other's voices too too many times to have to apologize for them.
Kali: I agree.
Matt: Like listen to each other's voices play back in the editing bay, like
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: Now for our third season, it's inbound outbound season. To date, we've had the incomings of Kat Asman and Gemma Bonner to match the outgoings of PPM, Lorde Spache, and Faith Weber. That notably puts us down a woman ratio wise. Two, if you include the season ending injury of Nahikara Garcia. We'll get to that in a second. But first, since we already said their names, it was announced overnight, down under, that Sydney FC, the A League women's side, Has signed forward Faith Weber to a one-year contract for the 26-27 A-League women's season. Weber was signed to Denver January 17th of this year, loaned to Tampa Bay Sun in the Gambridge USL Super League 13 days later on January 30th, in exchange for one Natasha Flint. She never appeared to return to training with a summit at the end of her loan to the Tampa Bay Sun, which coincided with the end of the Super League season in July. So a move was almost a foregone conclusion, and we finally got the destination. Faith will join the Sky Blues after a two-goal and one assist campaign with Tampa Bay across nine starts, fourteen appearances, and seven hundred and fifty-six minutes. Both Sydney FC and Faith seem really stoked on this move. So Kaylee, I gotta say I'm just as stoked for them. Now for the heartbreaker. Friend of the pod, Lorda Sposch, was announced yesterday to have permanently transferred to Liga Meki Feminile Side CF Monterey. Fans will recall. Yeah, yeah, hard hands. Hard hands in the chat, y'all. Put them up. Pour pour one out. fans will recall that Lordis was immediately loaned out to the Riattas last fall after her August signing to Denver. from Melbourne City. Well, while she was staying warm in Mexico, waiting for the summit's first NWSL season to start, I guess she made a damn fine impression, Kaylee. Because one seems to do that with two goals, coming in new across five starts, eight appearances, and four hundred and twenty four minutes. Notwithstanding is the senior Mexican national team called up call-up she had in May of 2025. Her constant involvement in the sub-23 national team, which capped off last week with a gold medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games held this year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In that tournament, Lorda started four out of the five matches at left wing for Mexico. And while capping off the run with hardware, the gold medal, she also solidified her name on the team. with an early goal in the semifinal against El Salvador. So needless to say, at the beginning of this news, we adore Lorda. She was the first person we spoke to from the summit. We will be hardcore Iatis fans watching going forward. we'll we'll look to to get her on to talk about her experience with the summit or or lack thereof, but we're really excited to hear about the Central American games and a new restart with Monterey permanently. In League I mechis feminine. Any thoughts on that, Kayleigh?
Kali: My first thought is I'm so sad to see her go. I really wanted to see her be worked into the lineup and see her get to shine. But I am excited for her. If this is what's best for her, that's fantastic. She should be somewhere that she gets the minutes and gets to shine. So nothing but happiness for her. Wish you all the best, Lourdes.
Matt: I I will add, this is a bit of a head scratcher. You and I have talked about this constantly, that she sparked in preseason. Getting to watch her week in and week out in training, her battles as left wing versus right back Iooka were were just like cinematic affairs, popcorn scenes.
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: We we loved watching that. she had a flair and a sauciness that I think was severely lacking, which we'll talk about here in a second. But the fact that she she made five game day rosters and appeared throughout none of them,
Kali: Mm.
Matt: I don't know. maybe, maybe that's a a fit discrepancy between the tactics that Nick wanted to employ, chemistry with the players on the field. what I will say is I didn't know that Nahi Kara Garcia was Lourdes' bestie on the team. So with Nahi out, rehabbing her knee injury, It it seems like maybe this is the perfect time to to get Lourdes to a place that will actually let her showcase her talents, of which there are many.
Kali: Yes, I agree.
Matt: That brings us back to inbound, outbound, imbalances of this transfer window. We've said it, Nick said it, players have said it. Janine Saunas simply can't be expected to be the top scorer, assistor, and a d defender on this team. I mean, she is those things, Kaylee. So shout out to Devin Lynch on that last one. But she shouldn't be expected to be on a on a balanced team tactically, no?
Kali: No, she absolutely should not be expected to be. She w we need some reprieve for Jenny and Saunas.
Matt: Which brings me to my now weekly insert MVP rant. NW Cell, what are you thinking? How have we not seen any media about Janine Saunas in an MVP race? I mean, come on, she's sitting seventh in goals scored. She's what now four back from just like born goal scorer Barbara Banda. second place is eleven. There's a four-way tie for Third place with nine goals. And then there's Janine Saunas with eight. She is a defender. She is from Colorado. She was the captain of this team, still is co-captain of the team. She is stepping up and producing at the death miracle moments on free kicks to get her team back in the playoff race against Continental Divide rivals. Like, I want to see the assets, NWSL. I know you're listening. Put up some graphics, like. Janine Sonas for MVP. Like everyone get on board. Let's let's make the shirts. Let's make buttons. Let's send letters. I don't know what we do nowadays, but this needs to happen.
Kali: Yeah, put some respect on our girl. She she deserves it.
Matt: Yeah. That that's Janine Becky y'all are talking about if you don't remember.
Kali: Ha ha ha.
Matt: Meanwhile, Janice's just like casually posting videos of her driving a big ass pickup truck and going to various coffee roastings and and soccer trainings. Like nothing's happening. She's too casual with this. She needs to be the MVP.
Kali: Yeah, on in addition to her soccer accolades, she is an entre entrepreneur and business owner. Like what literally what can
Matt: Yeah.
Kali: can she do?
Matt: Saving games in the same week she's launching companies
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: MVP.
Kali: MB Pay.
Matt: Jess Berman, you're on notice, just like Michaela Schiffred, and that comes from Kayleigh Long, not me.
Kali: Matt, you're firing off shots in my name and you're gonna have to deliver on them. So you're gonna Matt, you're on notice.
Matt: I told you this was gonna be a spicy one.
Kali: Yeah, it seems as though Matt with a cold is a spicy Matt.
Matt: Yeah, I gotta heat it up. I gotta heat it up. So that brings us back to how we fix the lack of finishing on the Summit squad as of late. And as everyone in Portland has angrily
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: messaged us, like on every platform, apparently we should stop picking on this.
Kali: Angry message just because you keep inciting them. You're picking fights.
Matt: I think I am like enemy number one for all of the ro or the Thorns fan base. The amount of comments and DMs we get
Kali: You're definitely getting up there.
Matt: I don't know if you've seen the Seth Meyer show, but he has he has a writer on there and they do a segment where Seth will make fun of fun of someone and then he'll stand up out of the audience and go, Leave him alone. And I feel
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: like that's what every Portland Thorns fan is doing to me every time I mention hashtag bring so fome.
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: So we're gonna give them a reprieve this week. I would say they shouldn't be selfish. They got her for all this time. They got a championship ring out of it. I think this is very much a like got it, flaunt it, boy, I know you want it situation. And we want it more right now. That's why we're probably ironing out a longer-term deal than the slapdash one-year player option that Portland was forced to retain her on. So I'm just saying, actually, I Seems like I'm coming after Portland Moore after I said I wouldn't. But I know they've had some sad news this week with Olivia Moultrie going on the season ending injury list with an ACL tier. You hate to see that, especially such a young star, friend to so many players on our team through the US women's national team system. So we're gonna, we're gonna move our ire over to another fan base right now. Are you okay with that? Do you do you know which fan base we're about to move our iron over to?
Kali: Yep. Tell us.
Matt: All right. So the situation in Louisville has not gotten better on the table nor in the press. As this past week it was released that they quote, seek new investment and quote, relocation not off the table. So that just buttons it up for me that we should go ahead and help out the strugging struggling lavender side with a small capital injection. Because they lost their leverage when Emma Sears. Point blank asked in public for a trade. So let's skimble something, something and let's float them through to their next season as racing Reno. For her part, Emma has made sure her suitors know she's a drop-in difference maker, scoring a brace and an assist in her last two matches since requesting the trade. So again, we say, Janine, Carson, get your girl. That okay with you, Kaylee? I know you've got some.
Kali: Yeah, I would l I would love to see Emma join Summit. I mean, I definitely feel like there's a spot for her to showcase some of that aw awesome talent that she has and would also just be a fun little moment for me and my family who's all back in Kentucky. Personally, as you know, obviously the show is about me and all of my personal connections to the other NW Cell teams. but yeah, I I really like seeing Emma C
Matt: And all of the decorated women you put on blast.
Kali: Okay, we you're gonna have to step off, Matt. I'm gonna show up to your house and take your microphone. but no, MS years coming to summit would be great. Janine Carson, yeah. I mean you you know what it's like to make the transition, so just let's let's get the new the new in.
Matt: All right. Lastly, a few bits and bobs. Lindsay Heaps made the cover of Sports Illustrated, which was a much cooler thing to say when it was written by actual humans. Delaney Sheehan made her hundredth NWSL appearance against The Courage, only to be upstaged by Kaylee Kurtz's 150th NW NWSL appearance against Utah. Janine Sanas made the NWCL XI of the month again. and that goes alongside her appearance with Abby Smith on the match day 16 team of the week. Also, as if starring in the hit TV series Ted Lasso wasn't enough. Spoilers, sorry, but come on, it's been a week. Temwachewinga is single-handedly the biggest source of GDP for Malawi, it would seem like now. She's lighting up the WAFCON tournament, women's AFCON. Malawi knocked off Ghana in the quarterfinals, which in turn secures them their first ever qualification to the World Cup. the Southeast African nation will receive a winfall of funds both from this tournament. and entry into the World Cup. And that's surely going to give more exposure to a team that started 24 years ago on the international scene and hopefully spotlight the hundreds of Temuet Shuingas that are already out there waiting for their opportunities, but then also create more brilliant Malawi women's and men's national team soccer players. That's what I got.
Kali: That was an incredible peek to peek. So much news floating around this week. And moving on to our game recaps. We have two game recaps to talk about this episode because we missed one, mostly because the schedule was insane last week. Three games in one week, and one of us out of town. You guys, we are doing our best, but we've got two to cover today. Bless you, Matt.
Matt: Thank you.
Kali: This one was frustrating. Let's talk about the North Carolina courage versus Denver Summit. Oof, man, I yeah, this one was a hard one. Summit looked right there the whole time, but the final product just wasn't, which Nick talked a lot about in the post-game. The team has been working incredibly hard, but the moments just haven't been falling Summit's way up until up. Up to this point with North Carolina. Against a team like the Courage almost does not get you points and does not get you goals. The first big moment to happen before kickoff as Lindsay Heaps was originally in the lineup, but very last second, scratched after experiencing some swelling. Nick talked about after the game that team doctor ultimately made the call to pull her. and you definitely could feel her absence in that game, which obviously we support the health of Lindsay above her playing in a game, but it was still very much, much a buzz and much of a bummer going into this match. Denver still created opportunities. Tash Flint had some moments. Steven Lynch had a really good look right before halftime. but we went into the break tied 0-0 with this game still completely there for them to claim if they seemingly wanted it. Matt, looking back on that game, do you remember what you were thinking going into the halftime?
Matt: Yeah, at halftime this just felt like deja vu. I think I posted on the blue sky. Same story, different day. It seemed like the summit were just like creating all sorts of chances that that they couldn't finish. and and that's the difference. North Carolina Courage are a really good team. So at halftime leaving them in, that's just that's rough. we talked about the ruthlessness, we talked about the stepping on the neck. Like you gotta do something to convert all of that. build up and an offensive creation that you're doing and and while Yuzu, Tosh, Yaz, and MK were all getting rips, the fact that it's not producing a a scoreboard result was was really, really difficult for them.
Kali: Yeah. Immediately out of halftime, though, everything kinda changed. Ava got tangled up with Erica Parkinson in the box. North Carolina was awarded a penalty, and then Riley Jackson converted. It was one zero courage, and I think collectively there was just a sigh and a head hanging of Dang, not not again after something like that. Cushing called the penalty soft, but Denver had essentially an entire half to respond to that too. So whether you agree that the penalty was soft or not, nevertheless. Cushing called the penalty soft, and I agree personally. but whether you agree or disagree, Denver still had an entire half to respond to that. And I think that's where the real frustration l was for me. And that because they never really found it. There were corners, there were half chances, there were moments where Flint tried to make something happen, but there was never a goal to change that game for us. And then because, you know, sports love a storyline and the the This has to be something cinematic for us. The dagger for the final part of this game actually came in the eighty first minute when Inglewood's own Allie Schlegel In the 81st minute, Inglewood's very own Allie Schliegel got behind and eventually finished the chance and made it 2-0. A Colorado kid coming home and scoring against Colorado's NWSL team. I mean, that's just rude. That was frustrating again. And for me, this game just comes about comes back to things that we've talked about all season. Denver, we have to become more ruthless. They're not getting outplayed. They're getting into dangerous areas and showing stretches of what this team can. be, but as Nick kind of talked about, some things were just not falling in their favor. and it's just something that we need to execute better on. For this game overall, close is fine early in on the season, but at this point, I feel like everyone really felt the weight of this loss. And personally, I felt the weight of this loss even more because it was my birthday. And I really wanted a win for my birthday. And I know that is so selfish and probably incredibly annoying of me to say. But I just when you believe so much and have so much faith and expectation in a team and to see it be so close over and over and again to then come out with two zero, it it wasn't the story of a two-zero game to me. It was a lot closer than that. And so that was really frustrating to see, which we now know because this is in retrospect talking about the game that there is a light later on in the week. But Matt, what were you thinking as well after this game?
Matt: a couple of things since you you brought up Ali Schlegel. It seems like if you are a Colorado kid and you come to Centennial Stadium, you will score. Sof did it. Allie did it. I'm surprised Ryan Williams didn't do it because Centennial's her hometown. She she started it right back for the courage and had a fantastic game. So at least she I don't know, had mercy on us by not scoring as well. other thoughts on this game was I credit to where it's due, North Carolina. I thought Sheridan was amazing in goal. I thought Macy Bell, Philly Rausch, and Riley Jackson were really fun in the the mid and back lines going against our team. I always like watching those attacking, defending battles. And so that was really entertaining for me. Ashley Sanchez also super entertain entertaining on the pitch that night.
Kali: Mm.
Matt: I think what we talked about the previous episode was needing to get Olivia and Melissa going, but The chance in the 59th minute and the chance in the 76th minute, I think maybe what we need is to just get Tosh back coin. Like
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: maybe, maybe that's what we're missing is the Tosh flit renaissance.
Kali: Yeah, I agree. I I feel like there was just so many moments from her that o i it just felt so close and I don't know if she's still dealing with any sort of rib pain or anything of that nature, but just felt like there was a little bit of something that was not there for her in that game.
Matt: Yeah. Needless to say, I know it was your birthday, but other people were probably sore about this one, including Kurt Johnson, who had spent a long time with the courage. Similarly, Kaylee Kurtz, who spent eight seasons with them. I know this was a game they they were looking to win. This seemed like a particularly exhausting midweek Wednesday night game, in a a highly congested slate. And I think we kind of heard that from from Tosh and and Coach Cushing after that in the the postgame that this was a Frustrating loss.
Kali: Well it was a tough loss on Wednesday, moving on to our Saturday game against the Utah Royals in our Continental Divide Cup. Now, at this point we all know the result of the game, but let's talk about it. You know, I was just saying how Denver needed to find a way to win those little moments and really get that connection. They did. And possibly in one of the most dramatic ways possible, which I love the flare for dramatics, of course. Denver beat Utah 2-1 at Centennial, snapping a three-game winless streak and taking three massive points against Royals. Who are sitting in third in the league. They did it without Lindsay Heaps, who remained out of the game, still with knee injury. And the first half wasn't necessarily pretty. Utah actually outshot Denver 10 to 6, but neither team really could find a breakthrough. And we went into halftime 0-0. Matt, I wasn't able to make the game, as we know, and as we talked about on socials, that I guess people are voting that yes, I should be banned since we won. Matt, going into halftime at the stadium. What was the vibe? Was everyone excited? Was you know were we thinking this is gonna be just like courage? Where we're zero zero at halftime? What what was the vibe?
Matt: Yeah, I mean I will say based on your attendance or future attendance to to the game, it's it's just superstition and business, Kaylee. It's not personal. Like actually,
Kali: Okay guys, look, I'll take one for the team.
Matt: Jess Berman and Michaela Schiffrin texted me that you can't come back. yeah, but I mean, a one thing I I noted at the beginning of this game when the teams line up to get the whistle to kick off the game, Only the attack went and lined up. The defense stayed back for a second huddle. So Janine, Io, Ava, Kaylee, and Abby all took like another 30, 45 second huddle while the game was waiting to kick off. So that was something I I clocked from the onset. And I think it was important that they did so because in the half, utah were the better team. They were doing their best summon impression of constantly getting into the box and not finishing. And I don't think it's From a lack of ability to finish on their part because they were creating really high quality opportunities. But it's from just the sheer will of Abby Smith and and the defense to to cut down those chances at every point and to block and to come out for them. And this was this was really Summit's defense kept them in the game at this point. Natalie Means and Yaz Ryan were were looking good on the flanks for us at halftime. Ali Brazier had gotten the start at the nine, but For the most part, this was just a game of how stalwart can our defense be in the second half?
Kali: Yeah, I did not get to see that extra little huddle because I was watching from my TV and they did not show that. So I'm really glad to hear that you clocked that immediately. And it sounds like it was making all the difference. Because when Denver came out after the half, they almost immediately found what they were missing against North Carolina. And in the fifty-first minute, Janine Sana sent a beautiful b ball into the bat box. Yasmeen Ryan beat her marker and finished it off. But it was really interesting to hear Yaz talk about that cross-in in post, which we'll include here, because she she kind of talks about how like it was a great ball in, but it did bobble and what was going through her mind at that moment. so we'll include that here. I too love Janine's crosses, yeah, so couldn't agree with you more on that one. It was Yasmin Ryan's fourth goal of the season and her second against Utah. After Yasmin's goal, things got a little chaotic. Utah kept pushing and in the 89th minute. It's Tatum Milazzo.
Matt: Dramatic pause. Yeah, Tatum Milazzo.
Kali: In the 89th minute, Tatum Milazzo found the equalizer. And I think every Summit fan probably had the same thought. You gotta be kidding me. Not again. because Lagos have really hurt this team all season. Denver had already conceded seven goals in the final 15 minutes of matches so far this year, but this time Denver did not let it get them down. They responded. Fourth minute of stoppage time, free kick just outside the box. Janine Saunas steps up. our our vote for MVP and it was a beautiful goal that squeezed right under and past the goalie. I mean absolutely electric. I think you could hear the whole city of Denver scream. It was in my moment, in my mind, game over. Absolute game over. Just maintain and we're done. I think they're people are gonna start naming their kids after Janine after that goal. Honestly. babies will be born, little Janine's screams heard round the city. And again, I annoyingly wasn't able to be at the game. I got him. I got him, guys. Matt, tell us what you're thinking when I said that.
Matt: Nine clock it nine months from now, guys. I want all of the hospital birth records, all of the adoptions. I wanna see how many Janines show up. What is it, August now? Yeah, so neck
Kali: It's gonna be a name that's circulating, let me tell ya.
Matt: next May there's gonna be a surge of Janines, guys.
Kali: Yep. Yep. I mean it would be a beautiful first name, beautiful middle name. By all means.
Matt: Or just name their kids MVP 'cause she'll have the award by then.
Kali: By the absolutely. Moving on. I do think that unfortunately me not being able to be at this game has like I know I've already said it, but it it has gotten in my head. Like maybe I need to not be there. I I think that's quite the inflated ego of me to say. thinking I have so much sway on the team, but I am jealous of how much electricity I missed being in that stadium. I did get to see a really fun shot from the camera view of Nick running and jumping and having this cinematic moment. but other than that, Matt, I mean I can only imagine how great it was in the stadium. Tell us what it was like.
Matt: Yeah, that that Janine moment, like there's this fantastic shot. Janine literally just like drops to her knees. So a few of the photographers got a shot of her just like aerial, like off the ground, but still with her knees bent, just like pure elation. You see the entire come to her or entire team come to her. Allie Brazier in the end says Allie's crying. Janine's crying. They're all just like so happy. This felt like such a cathartic goal for them. I absolutely love. Who the goal came from and Janine, which I I've done my best to make sure that yes, Lindsay Heaps is here. Yes, that's amazing. But y'all don't forget who got us to the this point. Like put some respect on Janine Becky Sanas' name with that MVP trophy. but it it seemed like it meant worlds to them. Like the this week had been
Kali: Mm.
Matt: so arduous. We'll hear about it, but yeah, I that was an all timer, all timer moment for me. That was amazing. And What a beautiful free kick from just the technical standpoint. You see Janine in the
Kali: Mm-hmm.
Matt: replay take a breath, eyes down, never looks at the goalkeep keeper to kind of give up where she's gonna go and just slots it in perfectly. a couple other things just on the game in total. There was a pretty controversial moment in the first half in the 43rd minute where it seemed like a clear no call where the summit should have gotten a penalty on a leg sweep from Kaylee Kurtz and going into a game where Utah equalizes and it looks like that non-call could have been the difference versus Janine just taking the game out of the ref's hand and winning it soundly. Those are the like the sports cliche of you you always win the game yourself. Never let anyone else take control of the situation for you. And I thought that was such a big moment for a young team to to really do that. and then I was having a lot of fun watching Ali Brazier in this match. She came out of the second half like a a bat out of hell, like completely on fire. She was going at Anna Tejada, she was going Kate Delfava. Naria Rabano at times, like just she was selling fouls, she was drawing contact, she was sprinting everywhere. She had two near goal opportunities. And I just want to like give all the flowers to Ali Ali Brazier here. She was playing her head off like I thought she surely would get a goal. She surely deserved one. And I dropped my earbud.
Kali: Yeah.
Matt: And I think this was a I think this was a really big moment for Allie to to get the start at the nine, be the person her team needed. And so kudos to to Ali Brazier in this game.
Kali: It's also been just great to see the fans respond to Allie too. Allie has a a very, very strong fandom behind her. Everyone was so excited to see her start, was so excited to see her just get in those moments, like you said. And talking to her in the postgame presser, it was great to see that not only was she excited to s to play, she was ready to play. And she's just as excited for her teammates. Like the I think that's been really fun to see. across this season is how much the heart of the team this seems like a very unselfish team and I don't know if that is unique or if that it feels unique or if just NWCL players are really great people but it just feels like the team itself is incredibly excited for everyone else equally to their own success which is cool to see.
Matt: Alright, y'all. Kaylee had to depart. It's not like we kicked her off the show. I know we've talked about her not coming back to the games after Utah's result, but she is still welcome on all of the episodes. Hopefully, just like last match against the San Diego Wave and Denver Summit, she shows up for more than one half next time. That said, let's get into the game preview for San Diego Wave versus Denver Summit. Wayback Machine. Let's go all the way to April 25th, 2026. Denver Summit make their second ever match appearance in the state of Colorado, this time moving northeast from Mile High Stadium and 63,004 fans to Dick Sporting Goods Park and approximately 46,000 less faces in the stands. Still loud, y'all. It was really loud and a sellout. San Diego Wave are in town. Kennedy Wesley and Yuzuki Yamamoto. Had just played this very stadium a week prior in the US women's national team versus the Japan women's national team match. Kennedy Wesley scored in that, foreshadowingly. Emma Hayes is in attendance. She and her son were back from a massive time in the mountains seeing snow for the first time. Denver comes out looking feisty. Yaz and I were finding joy up and down the flanks. Tosh and MK well positioned for receiving the attack. It works. First, with Yaz to MK in the 16th minute. Second to Tosh from Tosh. Yes, you heard that right. In the 32nd minute. Summit her up 2-0. The halftime whistle blows, and that's it. That's absolutely all that happened, folks. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar and probably a Royals fan. Flash forward. The number four on table team, San Diego Wave, hosts a return fixture against the number 10 Denver Summit. A lot has changed for the summit in the way they conduct their games. A lot has changed in the Wave's attacking front. Additionally, Kat Macario and Lindsay Heaps are still not going to play in this matchup. Both high billings for both teams. Wave are on their third main keeper of the season, after Leah Freeman, who the summit faced in April, departed for Lazio. Didi Harichich, injured her leg, and Sadrapanos took over mid July. Perhaps a boon for a finishing jelted summit side? Perhaps not. Panos has three goals conceded in one clean sheet in her three matches. If the summit are going to attack her, it'll probably be with crosses or balls into the box. As Sandra's stats say she's not really a claimer or a climber. If one of the strikers doesn't score a goal tonight, I swear Nick Cushing is going to jump out of his skin. And after last Saturday, We know exactly how high Nick can jump. Speaking of last Saturday, Denver capped off an exhausting three game week with an absolute emotional high care of one Janine Sanas. I've seen the team a lot of ways this season, and after that match, I saw players that felt like they lifted a curse. Can they find that magic again? San Diego are better on the road where they beat Denver last time around than they are at home. Summit are as Even Stevens as it gets, home and away, but have given up four less goals on the road. A summit defense that hung tough against Utah will have unseen faces to defend, and Gia Corley on the left, Trinity Byers up top, and Melanie Barsenis on the right. That trio has nine goals and three assists collectively. To go with Leah Godfrey's five and four at the ten. If you remember. Leah scored on his last match with a nice solo effort into the box. Summit found a lot of attacking ease back in April, but their batteries died coming out of the locker room. The big question will be how well rested are they after last week? Can they play a full 90 plus match? And how many goals does Janine Sonas need to score for this game to end in a win? My prediction, Janine only has to score one. Final result, 2-0. Goal scores, like I said, Janine Sonas, and I'm Ever itching for MK to get out of the slump. I think she breaks it open and gets a goal this week. San Diego are on the skids and have scored three in their last five, giving up seven and going one, one, and three. So I'm pretty comfortable here giving Abby Smith the clean sheet because I thought the way she and the back line defended against Utah really earned that possibility. Let's go get it tonight. Let us know your score predictions. Hit us up on socials.
Bangarang: Yeah, we're well aware of San Diego's quality. I we sort of had a game of two halves against them. We went 2-0 up in the first half at home here in Dix. Played really well, possibly our best half of football this year with the ball in possession. Second half, they came at us and we didn't manage to get over the line with the win. So we sort of see both sides of it when we allow them space and when we allow them the ability to attack us. But we also know that we can cause them problems. We're off the back of a good win with Utah. A different win, actually. Probably didn't control the game as much as we did against Boston and Houston in games that we didn't win. But we managed to get the win in this one. So a real good learning curve for us. She's still day to day, she's doing okay. She's working through the small problem that she's got. She's continuing to stay in condition so that as soon as she's ready to play, she can play. So it's day to day at the moment. Like I've said before, it's something that we're not overly concerned about. We're just going to allow the medical team to work through the process and make sure that, I said earlier in the week, for me, finishing strong this season with Lindsay is far more important than rushing her now. I don't know if they feel rested, but they definitely feel better than they did in a Wednesday, Saturday turnaround. We gave them two days off, so they were able to go and spend some time, family and friends, and rest and recover. And their energy this week in practice has been excellent. So, yeah, we're excited for the game. It's going to be a tough one, but we're excited. Has she exceeded your expectations this season or it seems like she's played great? I think she's, I think she's hitting the level that I expect in the sense of the desire to win and the desire to outperform, but for sure she is over performing for a new team. She's been here, she's developing relationships, she's the leader of the team. I've worked with her previously, but not for eight years. So to find her level. so quickly and be so consistent I think is such an asset for the team. Yeah, we've had a few jokes about it, but it seems to be, you know, I think that is me in that moment where it's just really organic and it's just, you know, the desire to win. This team deserves more points and I know... you get what in sport it is what it is. But we've played really well in games that we haven't won. We're developing every week. The team are investing in each other and in this organisation. So I was really desperate for them to get that win after a three-game home stand. And yeah, I believe we really deserved it. reached 100 regular season appearances and all that. Can you just talk about her progression and impact on the team this season? She's brought real experience to our midfield. You could see at the start of the year we didn't have any NWSL experience in our midfield. So we knew that we were going to be developing our team when we look at our midfield and progressing the ball and being an organized defensive unit. We then had the opportunity to trade for Delaney after game one, which was really critical for us. And she's... being top, you know, the communication, the experience she brings. I still feel she has more level and we can really develop Delaney into being a really good ball player midfield that can keep possession, that can progress the ball, that can create chances with the last pass. And that's just part of the process, but really enjoying working with her. She's a huge asset for our team and improved us, you know, has improved us as the season's gone on. expectations of her and what is she going to add to this team? I expect there to be a presence in locker room to bring her experience of defending and experience of the game in general. Her experience of winning and her winning mindset, but also she'll add quality on the field for us. When she goes in as a defender, she's a really, really high level defender. She's good with the ball, so good to add some experience to the team, somebody that I've had experience with, but also is a real winner.
Matt: As always, we're summit up. You can find us on Blue Sky at Summit Up. You can find us on Instagram at Summit Up Show. we'll be watching the game on NWSL Plus tonight. And we will see you soon. Thanks.
