"We Don't Consider Ourselves an Expansion Team" — Devin Lynch on Denver Summit FC

Kate: Welcome back to the 5280 Pitch Women's Soccer at Altitude. I'm Kate Hansen, and today we are joined by a familiar face who joined us preseason. And now that we have had 11 games, I asked them to come on back on the show to kind of get a feel on all right, now how do we feel? So, folks, we are sitting down with one rookie who is leading the charge in minutes. Yes, we have Devin Lynch on the show today. Devin Lynch, number five of a Your Denver Summit. Man, leading the rookies in minutes played. She's just tearing it up this season so far for us. Can't thank her enough for joining us on the podcast. this is your first time tuning in, ⁓ you for joining us. Thank you for being here. ⁓ is an awesome player. The Summit, if if you're new to the NWSL, the Summit is a great team for you to get behind because they are a very fun team to watch. Devin, thank you so much for joining me on the fifty two eighty pitch again. And it's just gonna get more fun once we get some new players added, like Lindsay Heaps ⁓ added to our roster come July, ⁓ it's gonna even fun to watch. So ⁓ again, thank you so for being here on the 5280 pitch today. If it's your first time here, be sure to hit that subscribe button and leave me a review. What did you think of the show? That is genuinely ⁓ so appreciated, and that's the show grows. That's how we get more people.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, thanks for having me.

Kate: Yeah. Well in last time that you were on, we talked a lot about your past and what got you to, you know, playing at the NWSL level. And then after the first three games, I think I sent you a message and was like, I didn't know you were gonna be a a starter and and I would have had completely different questions for you. And you've not only been a starter, you are ranked up there at the top of all of the rookies four minutes played. You are just To fall in love with women's soccer, especially at your Denver Summit. So be sure to like, subscribe, leave a review, all the things, starting and not sitting at all. So I'm really excited to have you back on the show to hear a little bit more about your journey and how this season is going so far after the first trimester of the season. So thanks again for joining me. Go to 5280Pitch.com, up for the newsletter. If you signed up and you haven't gotten a new a newsletter in a while, ⁓ check your spam. ⁓ Gmail is super tricky these days. So check spam folder ⁓ you have if you did sign up for the 50280 pitch. you're missing out on all the emails and special merch deals and new merch drops. Yes, all of that happens to the newsletter people first. ⁓

Devin Lynch: Yeah, of course. Thanks for having me.

Kate: Well in on that last episode, you described yourself as that box to box midfielder and said, you know, that you are not gonna be pushed around ⁓ that you are ⁓ somebody that's going to stand up the other team. ⁓ does Cushing actually call what doing right now? Because you're not playing that box to box midfield necessarily like you had it when you were playing it Duke before it gets published on the socials. And there are some fun new pieces of merch available over on the website. So go to fifty-two eighty pitch dot com. Thank you again for being here. We'll see you next Tuesday on the 5280 Pitch Women's Soccer at Altitude.

Devin Lynch: Yeah. ⁓ yeah, I'm definitely more of a defensive midfielder. ⁓ in this role. I'm kind of the one that ⁓ between me and Delaney sits more. just kind of being that line in front of the back line and yeah, so a defensive midfielder role.

Kate: So how does that feel kind of stepping into that role on the team compared to what you were doing, you know, back at the collegiate level?

Devin Lynch: Yeah, it's definitely different. ⁓ I'm not as close to the opposition's goal as I as I had been in the past. I've been enjoying it a lot. I have a great back line behind me, great center backs that are always talking to me and ⁓ making me feel very comfortable in the role. So ⁓ it's been it's been ⁓ different but a good adjustment.

Kate: ⁓ are a lot of players on the team ⁓ ⁓ ⁓ shouted out in the press a little bit more and make a little bit ⁓ of the highlight reels. ⁓ ⁓ it's kind of an unglamorous role that you're playing right now on the team. Talk to us a little bit about playing a position that ⁓ of goes ⁓ ⁓

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I think you said, yeah, it might go unnoticed. ⁓ for me it's just doing the role to my best ability. I might not scoring and might not be the ⁓ last line to save a goal, but it's everything in between that. ⁓ it's ⁓ my back line as much as I can and then just distributing the ball so that my ⁓ my forward and attacking midfield line can get forward and score those goals. So I think it's everything in between the glory.

Kate: and I think there was I I wanna say it was the pride match at home. Maybe it was a different game, but there was one game where in the second half you were able to take the ball basically box to box and I was like, Devon's no one's no one's going after her. They're just letting her take it. Ma is she gonna get to take a shot or like w 'cause we haven't really been able to see you just carry the ball up the pitch before. So, ⁓ know, th I guess do you remember that game at all?

Devin Lynch: Yeah. Yes, I do. I know exactly what moment you're talking about too. And it for me it was kind of a a shocker moment. I'm like, ⁓ wow, I'm back in this position where I I'm just f and I had 'cause my entire midfield line behind me was just telling me to go. So I knew that they had my back and someone was holding in that position that I'm usually in. So I think in that moment I just had full confidence to go forward. But ⁓ yeah, it was definitely bringing me back to the college days. But ⁓ Something I don't get to do as much, but no, I'm having really a lot of fun in the role that I've been having right now.

Kate: Yeah, and I mean you've been able to play with some players that have been on the US women's national team, you know, Kaylee Kurtz who's Iron Woman. How is it having some of this these veterans around you? Does it help your confidence or how has it really been on the field with having this leadership kind of surrounding you with your with your position?

Devin Lynch: Yeah, it definitely helps my confidence. like I said, with the the back line behind me and my midfield with me, ⁓ I just have a lot of confidence in that position. I think it's something that it's a role I've played in the past, but ⁓ not to this extent and not to not having to hold as much as I've been having to hold this season. So I think having those players ⁓ around me talking to me the entire game and just kind of ⁓ lifting me up and kind of Giving me feedback has been ⁓ helping my confidence a lot. So yeah, it's definitely been helpful.

Kate: So we talked about the Moses parting of the seas moment where you're able to take it box to box. And ⁓ is there another time or another moment this season so far where you've done exactly what your position needed you to do, but it wasn't that obvious. Like the broadcast didn't notice it, the fans probably didn't notice like what a great play it was. Is there any moment that's come into mind where you're like, I actually had this really great play and nobody except for maybe, you my center back ⁓ ⁓ great of a play it was.

Devin Lynch: Yeah. I feel like I probably ⁓ a few of those in the Louisville game. Just some like ⁓ I ⁓ I haven't really listened to the broadcast, so I'm not sure what what they had to say, ⁓ ⁓ some like ⁓ like last ditch efforts to like save a shot or like block a shot or whatever it is, ⁓ that ⁓ go as unnoticed than like a goal line save or whatever it is. ⁓ I think there was ⁓ Before the Utah game I had told Ayo I was like I one thing about me is I don't know how to slide. Like I or not don't know how to, I just don't slide. Or maybe don't know how. And then twice in that game I did like a slide tackle and one of them was like a saving the ball from like going through to our back line and it could have like a counterattack moment. And it was something like that that ⁓

Kate: Yeah.

Devin Lynch: might have gone unnoticed in the broadcast or like my teammates noticed it, but maybe other people that are just watching the game or aren't playing that as much cloches close attention wouldn't have noticed. So I think it's like those. But I just thought that was funny 'cause yeah, it happened twice. Two slide tackles in one game after right before that I told Ayo I never slide tackle. So ⁓ yeah, she did ⁓ she She's like, Yeah, I saw that. I saw both of those. Yeah.

Kate: Ha ha Did she did she remind you of that and say like, Hey, when we last talked, it was definitely during the honeymoon ⁓ phase of the team. ⁓ You know, everyone's expansion team energy, ⁓ really hopeful on the season. ⁓ Talk me about what the locker room like right now. ⁓ five months in ⁓ after really getting the to play some together, have a lot of road games together. ⁓ How's that locker room feel right now?

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I think that about our team is that like our culture, positivity and stuff has kind of stayed steady. ⁓ we've had that we've lost that we feel maybe we should have won, or ties that we should have won, ⁓ just results that we ⁓ we love to get back. But ⁓ I that ⁓ those kind of defining moments for our team, whether they break us or help motivate us. And think that ⁓ they definitely motivated us and I think that if you're in the locker if you were ever in the locker room with us, you could tell that. ⁓ definitely great culture that we have and that's a testament to ⁓ everyone the team but also ⁓ the the older girls that have been through it and are just like creating a great culture for us.

Kate: bring up some of those heartbreakers. ⁓ the San Diego game, obviously at home that was a heartbreaker. The Boston game, you Nick Cushing has said has said, you know, adversity is a terrible thing to waste. I feel like a lot of your interior the inside the locker room, ⁓ there's probably a of anger, a lot of frustration on what happened after those games. ⁓ After you guys through those two ⁓ comeback losses How did the locker room shift or what was being said in practices to really make sure that, hey, that can't happen again?

Devin Lynch: Yeah. I think Coming again from the older girls, they've all been through times like those, so definitely leaning on them to in their experience to of come out of that. But just making sure in training that we're giving hundred percent all the time, no matter what happened with those results, it's like it's making that there's only so the coaches do to motivate us and we have to find that within. So, ⁓ Making sure that kind of we're staying positive in practice, staying motivated and it's kind of just like never really switching off in those moments. I feel like we kinda came out, we were up to zero ⁓ against Diego and then ⁓ might have been a five minute period where we switched off, let in a goal and then it's like suddenly we're on ⁓ heels and they're on their front foot. So I think it's figuring out how to or it was figuring out how to like maybe stay switched on all the time. ⁓ and that starts in practice ⁓ with every single drill we do. ⁓ whether we think it's a simple one, whether we think it's the hardest drill we've done, it's just like constantly staying switched on.

Kate: You know, and Devin, I'm sure I'm sure that there's been games i after playing for as long as you have, where there has been s that moment in the past where you've had the lead and then all of a sudden something happens. Did did it feel different at the NWSL level, like it was even faster of a a s a light switch being turned on and off for that flip of, you know, momentum?

Devin Lynch: I say like yes and no. ⁓ it definitely ⁓ puts on your heels and ⁓ is ⁓ that be a little bit more difficult to figure out at the NWS level. ⁓ they came out with a different game plan that ⁓ we necessarily ⁓ prepare but ⁓ it even prepared for like on the board. It was more so just ⁓ being mentally coming out. so I it's definitely a bigger mental switch you have to ⁓ you have to turn coming out to the second half than I ever had to coming out of the college game. And it's also in college you could get subbed out, be like, okay, let me figure some stuff out and then get subbed back in, but that's not how it is in the pros obviously. ⁓ so I think it's making sure that you're switched on from the get go, from minute one, second one, it's definitely a little bit different than or a lot of it different than college.

Kate: Yeah. Yeah, and I mean, you've been starting every game here at the NWSL level. How has that felt? Because you're coming straight from college. I don't know if when you signed, if you knew you were gonna have such a a big role on the team as a rookie, but you're playing almost every single minute. And talk to us a little bit about what it feels like to be a rookie playing ⁓ a position. ⁓ every single game for at the NWSL level. How how have you been able to adjust so quickly?

Devin Lynch: it's ⁓ not that I did or didn't expect. I just kinda came in ⁓ like ⁓ I've to lose. I'm gonna prove myself and play to the best of my ability. And ⁓ that up with me having a starting spot right now on this team. So ⁓ like I've been super humbled to ⁓ be part of this so far. But I think adjustment comes from those minutes obviously help like as I go I just get com more confidence and then ⁓ on the people around me to ⁓ really help me in the moments where I might be a little bit unsure ⁓ been super helpful as well.

Kate: You know, and I mentioned the honeymoon phase earlier where everyone's kind of getting to know each other and, you know, you're practicing together and going and getting coffee together. Now that the season has started and you're playing games against other opponents together, who in the locker room has kind of surprised you or or or really helped you take your game to another level? Somebody that you didn't necessarily expect five months ago.

Devin Lynch: Ooh, that's a tough one. I feel like I could name many people that I feel like have ⁓ helped for sure. ⁓ I necessarily say I have expected this from these people. like Janine and Carson are both that are leaders on this team ⁓ Abby Smith ⁓ as well. Like ⁓ all kind people that have in on me. ⁓ personally and I've been super for them. So ⁓ I say I kind of would have expected that from them and they've just proved me right so far. ⁓ I that ⁓ Janine constantly instilling confidence in me, which has been super helpful. And then Abby checking in, Carson checking in, ⁓ are being like positive impacts on this team as a whole. So ⁓ yeah, ⁓ prove right is what I would say. ⁓

Kate: I'll I'm gonna ask more about game time like situations where, you know, again, when I'm at you know at the home games in the in the press box or watching from TV, we get to see the big overview of the field. Your you know, with w your position, you get to see everything. It's all in front of you. And has there ever been a time where you've ⁓ watching the game and said, This team is actually really good at ⁓ ⁓ ⁓ Nobody's talking about it enough.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, like I said, I I'm not always listening to the the broadcasts and stuff, but I would say there's been moments in just like every game, like the Utah game, ⁓ Diego game obviously didn't end up how we wanted them to, but our just plays such soccer ⁓ and it's like whether or we got the result that game or how many people are watching that game, I'm like

Kate: Yeah.

Devin Lynch: You just strictly watch the soccer we're playing and like it really is so fun. So fun to be out there. And it's like turning knife for us is just like ⁓ figuring out to get those wins. it's like, yeah, play we're playing the great soccer, but ⁓ we also need win those games. But yeah, I would say I'm just out there and I'm sitting there ⁓ watching everyone it's like, these combinations that we're making, the plays we're making, the goal chances.

Kate: Yeah.

Devin Lynch: Forgetting just from me sometimes, just like a a wow moment, or even rewatching the games,

Kate: It's interesting because I think that the lot of players were kind of under the radar for the first four or five games, Melissa Kosler being one of them. And I had Jordan Angeli on the podcast and sh I was like, Man, I feel like Melissa is our best kept secret. She's like, Well, not anymore. ⁓ Everyone is aware of the ⁓ the threat she is. Now she's been called up, ⁓ to play the German national team. There's eight of the Denver Summit playing, you know, on international duty ⁓ during this June break. But what's it like seeing Melissa and Tosh Flint playing from you know behind them? What's your vantage point of two players and how they play that ⁓ ⁓ the fans aren't seeing? ⁓

Devin Lynch: I ⁓ being Tosh is just like she might be one of the strongest players ⁓ I've against, like, ⁓ even like on the ball. It's a one on battle with her, I think I would take Tosh every time. ⁓ She is just a strong player. ⁓ and like I said, I would consider myself a strong player, but one on one with her I'm like, wow. so ⁓ I don't anyone's that girl off the ball. And that's something that I don't know if that goes unnoticed, but I for sure notice it. then Melissa MK, she just for me I think ⁓ if one on one with the keeper. I almost am just turning around and walking back to the midfield. Like ⁓ she a goal scorer up there. ⁓ get her in the box and like I trust ⁓ ten out ten times. so Yeah, that's what I would say about both them, watching both of them and playing playing beside them for sure.

Kate: In the Houston game, you guys were definitely clicking. You know, four one was the final on that. It take us through what it felt like as a team to really be executing everything that you guys were working on in practice. Because I feel like you there's so many like in the last game, you know, right before the break It was one nothing, but there was inches for you know, one of Yaz's shots and I think Olivia Thomas had the header that like ⁓ just missed. ⁓ I feel like really you right ⁓ you guys are the wrong side of the game of inches, but ⁓ in that Houston ⁓ you're on the side. Everything was going in, you guys were executing, ⁓ we're definitely winning the possession battles in just about every game. Talk to us what it feels like on the pitch when you guys are clicking and really executing everything the way that you practice it.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I it's definitely super rewarding. That game was a game we needed, a game that we need to find again. yeah, like you we we go through drills just like those in training where ⁓ we're doing our combinations, finishing on goal and I think that had been a big priority for us that week. so after that week training, ⁓ it was just ⁓ super rewarding to like get four goals in four different ways, whether that was like pressing a cross and a finish, I it was ⁓ very very good game for us to have ⁓ and score four goals in different ways and different people. ⁓ Obviously had a brace, but ⁓ but definitely all team goals and was a game that we needed ⁓ and we find again.

Kate: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, and I I feel like maybe this one might be your favorite, but i has there been a game through these eleven games so far this season where you're like, that's my favorite game of the season so far?

Devin Lynch: I mean, our home opener has to take the cake on ⁓ ⁓ ⁓ ⁓ Yeah. Yes. ⁓ Other than that game, I would say our Orlando ⁓ our last home game. ⁓ I think we just really wanted a a ⁓ win home. ⁓

Kate: Well obvious yeah. Sixty three thousand fans at mile high. I mean yes, absolutely. Other than that game.

Devin Lynch: for the fans and for us and to go in go into the break and then come in July and have another home game. obviously we didn't have very many home games, but I think for me that was that was just a fun experience to be able to give that to the fans and ⁓ show up for them as they've been showing up for us. So that for me was a big, big game and big win.

Kate: Well and speaking of July We all know that you guys get another player coming in July. That's when Lindsay Heaps is supposed to join the team. Sh Nick Cushing has said that she will be co-cap well, she's co-captaining with Janine now, but she will be wearing the armband. You've been here since March, you know, with the team, building that chemistry and you building this culture from scratch. What does it feel like to see someone like Lindsay Heaps come in and have the leadership role? that she's gonna have who honestly she hasn't really been unless t to my knowledge, she hasn't really been in the room yet with you guys on a regular basis.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I think it's like going be a it's going to be different. Like there's somebody that's being ⁓ added the team in such a huge role, but I think ⁓ we're just so excited to have her, excited to meet her and ⁓ she's done such amazing things and so to learn from her on and off the field will be such a cool experience. so ⁓ although be different, it'll be ⁓ it's something we're all really looking forward to.

Kate: So what are what's one thing that you specifically are looking forward to with having another midfielder, one one of the best in the world, join the team and be in the room and like what's something that you're looking forward to with having her, right next you where you could say, ⁓ Hey, ⁓ ⁓ happened. What do think? ⁓

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I mean I think just that. ⁓ learning from her experiences is gonna be amazing and she plays a very similar like position to me. ⁓ so being able to just learn from her experiences but also just learn from herself. I think she's honestly a a player that I see a lot of similarities like to myself in. So to be able to knowledge from her will ⁓ think add to my game a ton. So I'm really excited to meet her, learn from her and ⁓ yeah.

Kate: when comes ⁓ to team, ⁓ do guys plan on doing like any sort of ⁓ team building like you did before the season started or ⁓ is it comes in and everybody gets right to work, ⁓ and ⁓ let's win games? ⁓

Devin Lynch: to my knowledge, ⁓ think it's let's get to work and win some games. But ⁓ sure that we what two weeks with no games and just training. So I think that they're gonna also I've wouldn't be surprised if we had some some team building stuff in there. ⁓ but to my knowledge right now, ⁓ I don't anything. But that's also not ⁓ that's not role yet. ⁓

Kate: Nice. Yeah. You show up and ⁓ execute on the field, right? And one thing been awesome to see ⁓ is even inaugural team, latest power rankings, has the Denver Summit, in the top, you know, middle of the table, but still making the playoffs, what are your guys' thoughts inside the locker room with how again, maybe the record isn't reflecting ⁓ the capabilities and the that this team has?

Devin Lynch: Yeah. Yeah, I think that something we've kind of said in the locker room is we don't really consider ourselves an expansion team anymore because I think something that comes along with being an expansion team is giving yourself the out and saying, ⁓ we don't need to win like that's okay that we didn't win this game or that's okay we didn't make playoffs or whatever. for us we're like we're just we're a part of this league and ⁓ we can compete with any team on any given day. So ⁓ think for us ⁓ Even though we are an expansion team, that's a fact. Not considering ourselves an expansion team in terms of what we can accomplish this year is something that we've been trying to definitely cue in on the in the locker room.

Kate: One third of the season is over. You still got two thirds left. And I feel like you know Lindsay's obviously coming, but Yuzuki Yamamoto, she got her first start at the in the last game before the break. I feel like there's a lot of chemistry that's really starting to happen within this team now. Take us what the next through what the next two thirds of the season is gonna look like for the Denver Summit.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I agree. we have people that are every every day ⁓ pushing for spots, challenging each other for spots, and I think that's just making our team stronger and stronger. because no one's getting complacent. but I think we're just continuing to grow our grow our culture, grow our connection on and off the field. obviously get to have a lot more home games in this ⁓ in this last two thirds of the season, which I think we're all very excited for and moving into the new facilities and everything. So think that'll be ⁓ great for the team to ⁓ very excited for the new facilities and to ⁓ to a new place and we're just excited the rest of the season.

Kate: Yeah. Yeah, it's I mean, again, all the numbers I I talk a lot about numbers on the podcast. ⁓ and all the numbers You especially the last game, I think that you the summit had two point eight six expected goals compared to Louisville's point six eight or point yeah, something ridiculous and in the gap. You guys are winning the possession, you guys are taking the shots. I I one hundred percent think that this team is play it playoffs is a very attainable goal for the the team that that we've already seen. As they've been l you guys have all been learning together. You I mean none of you have played together before. or yes there are some veterans on the roster, but you know, learning who's gonna do what and how a certain person plays, that only can happen during playing games together.

Devin Lynch: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And I think like you said, we've accomplished this eleven games in, or a third of the games in, so I think there's just so much more for us to be able to grow and accomplish in this last two thirds. So I'm very excited for it. And I know everyone else is as well.

Kate: Centennial Stadium opening mid July now. Two more games over at Dick's. What do you think about being in Denver so far? I mean last time we talked you still were, you know, new here and now w we've had some rain. We've ⁓ we've had some snow. ⁓ it d we do have weather here other than beautiful sunshine. But talk to us a little bit about what you think of being in Denver. Is there anywhere that you've gone, any restaurants you've gone to where you've been like, ⁓ Denver's a really cool place to be.

Devin Lynch: Mm-hmm. Yeah. No. Yeah. ⁓ talked yeah, we talked before the first game. So ⁓ been enjoying like exploring. I haven't been able to go on too many hikes just 'cause ⁓ training as much as we are. ⁓ ⁓ no the city is beautiful. A few of us ⁓ had gotten ⁓ Airbnb in Idaho Springs for a weekend, which was really fun. So there was like six bus that went there, did a hike when we had a few days off. ⁓

Kate: Yeah.

Devin Lynch: So I've just been enjoying seeing the city and yeah, trying new places, trying new food places. So I've been loving it so far. Super happy to be.

Kate: When you were when you were in Idaho Springs, did you guys go to Bojo's? I feel like that probably was not on the menu for like approved nutrition places from the team, but they're they're they're known yeah, Bojo's pizza. it it's like

Devin Lynch: Wait, that's Bojos. Wait, we did. We did actually. Yes. ⁓ We did. I I just couldn't remember Meg Bodie being a native. She she told us we need to get Bojos, so Yeah.

Kate: Yes. Yep, exactly. Okay, yeah. Well at least you hit like the landmark in Idaho Springs and

Devin Lynch: Yes, yes, we did. We did. That was our first stop. We went straight from the airport. We had gotten back from I think it was Seattle. Went straight to straight from the airport, stopped at Bojo's and then went to the Airbnb.

Kate: ⁓ nice, very cool. Well, I mean at least you hit up the you know, that's we always hit it up on our way home from from skiing and stuff. So it's it's definitely a Denver landmark. So Well, Devin, this has been an awesome conversation. I it's been such a pleasure watching you so far this season through eleven games. ⁓ it's it's been great because we've I didn't know what to expect because I've only seen highlights and, you know, YouTube videos of what you were doing at Duke. And to see you taking the field now and the type of player you are and

Devin Lynch: Yeah. Yeah.

Kate: really the minute you're getting your you're really making it easy on the back line so just keep up the awesome work I I really appreciate you joining me on the podcast today. ⁓

Devin Lynch: Yeah, thank you so much for having me again. Appreciate it.

Kate: Well enjoy enjoy your June break. Enjoy ⁓ being, with the new team that ⁓ comes together here after the break. ⁓ And you know, guys been playing great through eleven games and we'll looking forward to seeing what you put together for the final half of the season. ⁓

Devin Lynch: Yeah, I can't wait. Thanks so much.