DC Power grabs control of the playoff race against Dallas; Lexington, Sporting JAX deliver classic, but miss opportunity
The playoff picture began to take shape in Week 11 of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season as DC Power matched its single-season high for home wins in a campaign, while Lexington SC and Sporting Club Jacksonville delivered the sort of six-goal thriller that was a classic in terms of entertainment, but left both coaches disappointed.
Here’s what we took away from the weekend’s action.
1. DC Power Gets a Leg Up in the Race for the Postseason
With the sides level on points either side of the playoff line, DC Power FC and Dallas Trinity FC were both in with a chance to get a serious boost in their bid for the postseason on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field.
Thanks to Emily Colton’s first-half goals and a resolute defensive display, the Power emerged with a 1-0 win that set the side up to claim its first trip to the Super League Playoffs with five games to go in the regular season.
Colton’s alert 10th-minute finish after Abby Boyan had rattled the crossbar with a long-range effort proved the best chance either side carved out over the 90 minutes. It’s not that Dallas was without chances – Seven Castain had a pair of good opportunities, while Juliet Moore sent a late chance off target – but the Power’s back line limited their clear looks and Katie Cappalletti came up with a pair of big saves to give DC its second home win of the season.
“There was so much grit in that game, from front to back,” said Colton. “The shutout shows how much grit we have. Katie made some amazing saves, and our back line, midfield, and front line all gave 100 percent. Every single person showed grit, whether they came into the game or not. That’s what it takes every time. It’s definitely an improvement from the start of the season, and I think we’re going to keep going up from here.”
DC’s fatal flaw over its first two seasons has been an inability to make its homefield advantage count. With eight points from five games at Audi Field so far this season, that’s started to change, and it’s opened up a path to playoff soccer.
2. Lexington SC, Sporting Club Jacksonville Deliver Classic, Miss Opportunity
From Sarah Griffith’s early goal to the Mya Swinton-induced equalizer with five minutes to go, Friday night’s showdown between Lexington SC and Sporting Club Jacksonville lived up to all the pregame expectations.
The stars shone – all three of Lexington’s Addie McCain and Catherine Barry and Sporting JAX’s Ashlyn Puerta found the net – as the sides battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Lexington SC Stadium, while Paige Kenton had a breakout performance after a slow start to the 2026. In the end, though, it might go down as an opportunity missed for both sides as the shared points meant neither was able to gain ground on Carolina Ascent FC at the top of the standings.
“It’s always massive to not lose, but this one feels like a loss because we had the game,” said Lexington Head Coach Kosuke Kimura. “There were a couple moments when we fell short to defend those goals. They’re a good team like us – they ask a lot of questions, but we keep going. Every game is a playoff game in a short season. Every game is a six-point game. But we’ll keep fighting.”
“In the end we were disappointed we didn’t win the game, which says a lot about this group when at one point we were down 3-1,” added Sporting JAX Head Coach Stacey Balaam. “The resilience, the grit and the togetherness was what I was mostly proud of tonight.”
The most notable part of the night was Jacksonville’s continued resilience. The side has now gained nine points from losing positions this season, and became the first team this season to earn a result against Lexington after going behind against the defending titleholders.
While both sides still have games remaining against Ascent – with Lexington playing host to Carolina on Saturday night – they’re going to need help to get back in the Players’ Shield race.
3. Fort Lauderdale United Delivers Another Home Surprise Against Ascent
There seemed like no surer thing in Week 11 than Carolina Ascent FC picking up another three points on the road against Fort Lauderdale United FC. The Super League leaders had dominated in terms of chances when the sides met at American Legion Memorial Stadium in early September, not only putting up a 3-0 victory but a 3.31 Expected Goals mark on 11 total shots.
In the rematch on Thursday night at Amerant Bank Field, however, it was Fort Lauderdale’s turn to frustrate their visitors. While the game ended in a scoreless draw – giving interim FTL UTD Head Coach Paul Jennison four points from three games at the helm – the manner in which the hosts limited Carolina’s clean looks on goal stood out in addition to Haley Craig’s stellar display between the sticks, posting a five-save shutout.
Carolina had more shots (16) than in September, but averaged only 0.08xG per effort compared to the 0.3xG per shot in their first meeting. Fort Lauderdale was strong on set pieces – winning 8 of 16 aerial duels overall – and logged 19 interceptions and three blocked shots to keep Ascent at bay. While Carolina’s lead at the top of the standings remains eight points with four games to play, Fort Lauderdale’s grit showed how others might be able to slow down the frontrunners.
4. Brooklyn FC’s Hex Over Tampa Bay Sun FC Continues
At this point for Tampa Bay Sun FC, its visits to Maimonides Park might take on an air of inevitability. Despite carrying more attacking threat over the 90 minutes – having Sam Kroeger’s early strike tipped onto the crossbar by Brooklyn FC goalkeeper Bre Norris and a goal by Shea Connors chalked off for offside – their visit to New York ended in defeat as Catherine Zimmerman’s 90th-minute winner lifted the hosts ahead of their visitors with a 1-0 win that left the Sun’s fall campaign in real trouble.
Brooklyn’s hex over Tampa Bay – where the side now holds a 9-0-3 record against the Sun – hasn’t necessarily come about by accident. BKFC has not only outscored the Sun 17-7 in their all-time meetings but holds a +4.02 Expected Goal Differential in the series between the sides. Still, the nature of Saturday’s victory – where Brooklyn had recorded fewer than 10 touches in the Tampa Bay penalty area before Zimmerman put home the best chance either side created in the final minute – seemed like something destined by fate.
With a four-point gap to the playoff places and five games to go, BKFC still has to find more to get into contention and two major challenges ahead as it faces Sporting JAX and Carolina Ascent in its next two outings. For the Sun, though, they’re now in must-win territory as a season that began with promise has now seen the side suffer three consecutive defeats, leaving it likely to be on outside of the playoff picture at the end of November.