# Denver Summit FC's Defense is ELITE. But the Attack Has to Catch Up.

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-5280-pitch-denver-summit-fc-podcast-7614150/denver-summit-fc-s-defense-is-elite-but-the-attack-has-to-catch-up
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-5280-pitch-denver-summit-fc-podcast-7614150/denver-summit-fc-s-defense-is-elite-but-the-attack-has-to-catch-up.md
Podcast: [The 5280 Pitch - Denver Summit FC Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-5280-pitch-denver-summit-fc-podcast-7614150)
Published: 2026-04-07T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/52d399cf50c6f61fd939898dc3ea7a01815067f1908026767e2df0e20c76ede8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZDg1ODEyNS02OGE4LTRmMGEtOGMyNy03OTM5NzFjMzhlYTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIzYTE4MjdkZS05M2JkLTQwZDYtYTU0ZS0yMjFjZjk4NzMzMjAiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzBkMGViNWU0NTg5NjAwMGNmNTdmMGUiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkNDE2MjU2NWY5MzIyYjY3NTUyMTMyLzUyODAtcGl0Y2gtY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTZfXzIyLTIzLTEubXAzIn0=.mp3
Audio file: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/52d399cf50c6f61fd939898dc3ea7a01815067f1908026767e2df0e20c76ede8/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjZDg1ODEyNS02OGE4LTRmMGEtOGMyNy03OTM5NzFjMzhlYTMiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIzYTE4MjdkZS05M2JkLTQwZDYtYTU0ZS0yMjFjZjk4NzMzMjAiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2MzBkMGViNWU0NTg5NjAwMGNmNTdmMGUiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkNDE2MjU2NWY5MzIyYjY3NTUyMTMyLzUyODAtcGl0Y2gtY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTZfXzIyLTIzLTEubXAzIn0=.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1529

## Resource

Five games in and Denver Summit FC has allowed just three goals. Three. Tied for the best defensive record in the entire NWSL. For an expansion team in year one, that is not luck — that is a system. And this week we're breaking down exactly how Nick Cushing has built it. We're going deep on Saturday's 0-0 draw at Seattle Reign — how Denver neutralized an unbeaten team, what Abby Smith is doing that puts her in the NWSL's elite goalkeeper conversation, and why the Pickett-Kurtz center back partnership already looks like it's been together for years. We're also recapping all five games of this inaugural season honestly — the win at Gotham, the home opener draw that still stings, and what the numbers actually tell us about where this team is headed. And we're having the Ally Brazier conversation. She's from Colorado Springs. She's on the bench. You're noticing. So are we. The defense is elite. The attack has to catch up. Here's where Denver Summit FC actually stands. Topics covered: Denver Summit FC at Seattle Reign — tactical breakdown Abby Smith's case for best goalkeeper in the NWSL The Pickett-Kurtz partnership All five games of the inaugural season recapped The Ally Brazier situation explained What the San Diego Wave matchup on April 25th means Follow Kate on social @5280pitch and subscribe to The 5280 Weekly newsletter at 5280pitch.com .

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## Transcript

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