DC Power’s secondary scoring continues to deliver, Dallas makes Lexington pay with a late winner
The past weekend in the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season saw DC Power FC continue its drive into postseason contention and Dallas Trinity FC deliver a stunning late victory on the road against fellow top-three side Lexington SC.
Here are three storylines we took away from the action.
1. DC Power is Making Its Postseason Move
Before the spring season began, one of the points of emphasis for DC Power was the need for secondary scoring to support Gianna Gourley in the final third. In a comprehensive 2-0 victory against Brooklyn FC on Saturday afternoon at Maimonides Park, the trend that had seen Alyssa Walker and Claire Constant find the net to earn points on the road against Sporting Club Jacksonville and Tampa Bay Sun FC continued.
Walker’s conversion from the penalty spot and Loza Abera’s rifled finish just past the hour-mark were the highlights of one of the Power’s best all-around attacking displays of the season, which also saw Walker hit the woodwork with a first-half effort. DC has now equaled its longest undefeated streak in club history at five games to move within a point of Carolina Ascent FC in fourth position with a game in hand. Ahead of a key home game against Dallas Trinity FC on Thursday night, the Power have pushed into playoff contention.
“This team has something special cooking and yesterday just proves that and shows all the work we’ve been putting in,” said Walker. “It’s just the beginning for us. We’re connecting the pieces and going to continue creating and finishing more opportunities. Keep a look out for DC Power.”
2. Lexington’s Late Letdown Proves Costly
Looking to bounce back from its first league setback of the season, there was little Lexington SC did wrong in its clash on Sunday against Dallas Trinity FC. The lack of finishing, however, that at times has reared its head this season – and resulted in numerous scoreless draws in the fall – came back to bite the hosts in its 1-0 defeat as Trinity grabbed a stoppage-time victory through Heather Stainbrook’s winner.
The result was a tough one, with Cat Barry looking back to her best. The Golden Boot contender equaled the number of shots Trinity reeled off over the 90 minutes, notching five effort, three of which were on target, while Lexington consistently put itself into good attacking positions. That kept Dallas on its heels – 36.9% of the game was played in Trinity’s defensive third – and helped the hosts quickly recover possession as Dallas tried to clear its lines.
Still, the final finish wouldn’t come, with Barry’s early effort and others turned away by Trinity goalkeeper Tyler McCamey, who kept her side in the game with a four-save shutout. Lexington now has a four-point gap to make up to Sporting Club Jacksonville, and while they should take plenty of positives from this outing, the defeat is still likely to sting.
“I mean that’s football,” said LSC Head Coach Kosuke Kimura. “It’s very painful. But we controlled as much as we could. If you get tired emotionally and physically – those are the moments you must stay tuned in and stay strong and defend as a team.”
3. Trinity’s Heather Stainbrook is Making Her Presence Felt
When Dallas Trinity acquired Heather Stainbrook on loan from the Washington Spirit ahead of the spring season, they were hoping the 24-year-old central midfielder could lift the side on both sides of the ball.
While Sunday’s outing against Lexington SC’s wasn’t the best Stainbrook has delivered across four appearances, the impact she’s making – including the crisply-taken winner – has Dallas back in contention for a top-two finish at the end of the season. Stainbrook has now recorded two goals and one assist for the side while also providing a solid all-around presence in midfield.
Starting all four contests, she’s averaging 8.3 recoveries and 5.9 duels won per 90 minutes, sitting at a 53.7 percent success rate in the latter category, while also making the most of her forays up the field, logging three chances created and a 77.8 percent passing accuracy rate overall. Dallas may not have been at its best overall in Lexington, but it can extend its advantage over the teams below the playoff line on Thursday night at DC Power, where Stainbrook will likely be a key figure again.