Top-four clash sees DC Power looking to move closer to playoffs, Dallas Trinity, Sporting JAX meet in potential six-pointer
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the Week 13 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
We’ve got a full slate of action that kicks off on Friday night and wraps up on Sunday evening that features a pair of top-five contests that should shape the race for the postseason, plus the potential that Carolina Ascent FC could clinch the Players’ Shield.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – DC Power FC vs. Lexington SC
When DC Power FC claimed a 2-1 victory on the road against Lexington SC earlier this season, it marked the first time the Power had taken victory in the series since their first meeting in October, 2024.
As the sides reconvene on Friday night at Audi Field (7 p.m. ET | Peacock), the stakes are high with the second-placed Power (5-3-2, 17pts) sitting three points ahead of fourth-placed Lexington (4-4-2, 14pts) with the potential to close in on a first postseason berth.
- WALK ON: DC took its second consecutive win – and third in the past four – last Sunday evening against Tampa Bay Sun FC as Alyssa Walker’s brilliant chip late in the contest lifted the side to all three points. The goal was Walker’s first of the campaign, but her sixth since arriving at the Power early this year, all of which have served as game-winning goals.
- POWERING THROUGH: Walker’s influence along with other new arrivals have helped DC maintain the momentum it built at the end of the past campaign. The side has now recorded 10 wins in 24 regular season contests this calendar year, fourth-most in the league. The side has yet to suffer consecutive defeats this campaign, putting it in position for a first trip to the playoffs.
- ON THE REBOUND: By contrast, it’s been a more up-and-down campaign for Lexington, which followed up its title-winning campaign earlier this year with some standout performances and others that have been more underwhelming. Last weekend was one of the latter as the side fell 1-0 on the road against Carolina Ascent FC as the side was held to nine shots and just 0.59xG by the league-leaders.
Lexington ranks third in the league with 15 goals this season and ranks fourth in the league with a 17.27 Expected Goals mark, At the same time, the side has strung together consecutive victories only once this campaign, leaving it in a fight for a top four finish with four games to play in its regular season.
“In the second half, they didn’t have much and we had the ball most of the time,” said LSC Head Coach Kosuke Kimura. “We need to put our good chances away. Teams with strong momentum finish those goals. The effort from the players was never in doubt, we just need to keep going.”
That makes this weekend’s contest with DC crucial for both clubs. A Power victory, maintaining its current momentum, would be a gamechanger in terms of its playoff chances. A Lexington win would pull the side level with DC, and leave everything up for grabs going to the final three weeks of the regular season.
With those stakes, we should see a playoff level of intensity.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
We’ve entered must-win territory for both Fort Lauderdale United FC (2-8-1, 7pts) and Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-5-3, 9pts) as they square off at Amerant Bank Field with the potential United could be mathematically eliminated and the Sun looking to break a six-game winless streak and keep its playoff chances alive. Tampa Bay’s last victory came against Fort Lauderdale on September 12 when Tori Zierenberg and Shea Connors scored second-half goals to rally the side to a 2-1 victory, with that result extending the Sun’s control over the series. Fort Lauderdale has yet to defeat Tampa Bay in 10 prior meetings, but that result is likely to be necessary if the curtain is going to remain up on FTL UTD’s season.
Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC (Saturday, 2 p.m. ET | Peacock)
The 2026 Fall Season Players’ Shield is within reach for Carolina Ascent FC (8-1-2, 26pts) as it heads to face Brooklyn FC (3-5-2, 11pts) at Maimonides Park, but the hosts have put together a solid run of form of their own of late to remain in the picture for the postseason with four games to go in their campaign. BKFC played to a 4-4 draw against Sporting Club Jacksonville last Saturday afternoon as Jilly Shimkin notched the first three-assist game in Super League history and Jackie Richards scored a pair of goals, keeping the side within three points of the top four. To maintain that momentum, though, BKFC will need to take its first win all-time against Carolina, with Ascent holding a 6-0-2 record in the series after a 1-0 win when the sides late met in September.
Dallas Trinity FC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sunday, 5 p.m. ET | Peacock)
The Gainbridge Super League Game of the Month stands as the other top-five clash in the league this weekend with Dallas Trinity FC (4-4-2, 14pts) and Sporting Club Jacksonville (4-2-4, 16pts) both looking to lift their playoff chances with a win. Trinity enters off a 3-0 victory against Fort Lauderdale United FC that saw the side roll after the visitors were reduced to 10 players just before the hour-mark. The performance was a welcome boost for Dallas’ attack, which ranks third in the league with a 17.89 Expected Goals mark but has 13 goals, good for fifth in the league. Jacksonville also put together another sterling attacking display in a 4-4 draw against Brooklyn FC last Saturday to sit in third place going into the weekend, with Ashlyn Puerta having claimed Player of the Month honors for October after recording seven goals in her past three games. That has placed Puerta alongside Baylee DeSmit on eight goals this campaign for the Golden Boot lead, and their presence should test Trinity’s back line.
3. Merch of the Week – Dallas Trinity FC’s Flare Cropped Bomber Jacket
Dallas Trinity FC has the perfect gameday jacket as the fall moves toward winter with its Flare Cropped Bomber Jacket. Get yours at the club’s online store.
4. Landmark of the Week – Carolina Ascent FC’s Sydney Martinez
Carolina Ascent FC goalkeeper Sydney Martinez could become the first goalkeeper to record 20 regular season shutouts in Super League history as the side visits Brooklyn FC on Saturday afternoon.
Check out Week 13’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Friday
DC Power FC vs. Lexington SC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Saturday
Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 2 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sunday
Dallas Trinity FC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville, 5 p.m. ET (Peacock)