DC Power closes in on first postseason berth, building on 2026 turnaround; Brooklyn stays in playoff race after late comebacks
Carolina Ascent’s drive toward claiming a second Gainbridge Super League Players’ Shield was slowed just a fraction, while DC Power FC took the lone victory of the four-game slate to close in on a first trip to the playoffs during Week 13 of the fall season this weekend.
Here are four things we took away from the action.
1. DC Power FC Shows Defensive Strength as Playoffs Beckon
Over the first 42 games in DC Power FC’s history, through the end of the 2025 calendar year, the side took only eight victories, posted a -17-goal differential and a -8.75 Expected Goal Differential.
Since the calendar turned to 2026, however, the Power have transformed themselves into a contender. On Friday night, the side logged its 11th victory this year across the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign and the current Fall Season, and the first three-game winning streak in club history, with a 2-1 win against defending titleholder Lexington SC at Audi Field that epitomized the side’s new outlook.
DC took the lead on a sharp piece of play that saw Loza Abera latch onto a good through-ball by Emma Jaskaniec before lifting home her finish, and from there the side’s strong defensive instincts kicked in. While Lexington created some good opportunities, the Power’s back line and goalkeeper Katie Cappalletti proved equal to the task, with the shot-stopper’s denial of Catherine Barry’s point-blank chance early in the second half an outstanding stop that highlighted her five-save display.
It’s that sort of defensive mentality which over 25 games in the current year has seen the side allow an average of only 1.3 Expected Goals Against per game, resulting in a +8.28 Expected Goal Differential and a likely berth in the Fall Season Playoffs. While Lexington pulled back a late goal after Sophia Boman had added a fine finish early in stoppage time to bolster DC’s lead, the hosts’ overall defensive display was central to the result.
“The whole squad is mentally tougher,” said DC Head Coach Omid Namazi. “They don’t let little mistakes bother them. They keep grinding, and that’s what we’ve been doing. Look at the last three home games. The win against Fort Lauderdale was a decent performance, especially in the second half. But in our last home game and in this one, I didn’t think our performance on the ball was very good.
“Defensively, though, we got a shutout last time here and nearly another one tonight, and that’s credit to the players. They’re willing to defend with everything they’ve got: blocking shots, sliding in, winning tackles. We saw a lot of that tonight, and it was good to see.”
2. Brooklyn FC Shows Resilience Against Frontrunning Ascent
To go down once against a side that you’d previously failed to find the net against in your previous three encounters is one thing. To do so twice, the second goal coming moments after you had drawn level, is quite another, but despite all of that Brooklyn FC came through with a second equalizer deep in stoppage time to slow Carolina Ascent’s romp toward the Players’ Shield at least for one week while keeping their own bid for the playoffs in relatively good shape after a 2-2 draw at Maimonides Park.
After Jill Aguilera’s penalty kick had put Carolina on top in the first half, Brooklyn was under the gun to find an equalizer, but a good headed finish by Jackie Richards delivered in the 88th minute, giving the hosts hope of earning a point. Just 71 seconds later, those hopes seemed to have shattered when they conceded another spot kick as Ascent’s B Hylton was brought down in the box, allowing Aguilera to convert with Carolina’s only shot of the second half. Thanks to a last-gasp finish from Carlee Giamonna off Jennifer Cudjoe’s free kick, however, BKFC found a way to pick up what could end up a vital point.
Brooklyn is now undefeated in five games, the club’s longest undefeated streak since an eight-game run during the Super League’s first season. While there were defensive errors that allowed Ascent to get its two goals, the hosts also limited Carolina’s attack to just four shots otherwise, nullifying their set piece opportunities and winning second balls consistently to keep Ascent out of rhythm. BKFC is going to need to turn performances like this into wins instead of draws to have a chance at the postseason, but Head Coach Alex Smith appears to have the side moving in the right direction.
3. Dallas Trinity, Sporting JAX Deadlock Adds to Playoff Pressure
With the state of the Super League standings, there was a sense going into Sunday’s Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month between Dallas Trinity FC and Sporting Club Jacksonville that a win for either side could go a long way to earning a playoff spot at the end of the month – Jacksonville’s Ashlyn Puerta described the game as a must-win for the visitors pregame, and that intensity carried over to the contest.
With the teams ending all square in a 1-1 draw as Dallas’ Jasmine Hamid opened the scoring in the first half before Puerta leveled with her league-leading ninth goal of the season after the break, it left both teams with positives to take overall but still facing pressure to deliver results over the final three games of the fall regular season with Lexington and Brooklyn both lurking.
“I thought we were really good in the first half controlling moments,” said Dallas Head Coach Lee Nguyen. “The second half was a little chippy, but the game opened up and started to go back and forth. Unfortunately, it came down to little moments. I was really proud of the way we fought from minute one, to the end. Every game matters, so it was unfortunate we didn’t get the three points. We were able to get a point, which bumped us up. With three games left, every point is crucial to get over the line.”
Jacksonville remains better positioned, sitting three points ahead of fifth-placed Lexington and an 86% chance to reach the postseason via USLTactics.com with two home games against DC Power and Carolina Ascent up next on the docket. Dallas, meanwhile, has work to do, with a six-pointer against Lexington on November 21 likely the critical game to its chances of a third consecutive postseason berth. For both sides, they’ll be aiming to raise the level and get over the line.
4. Inaugural Finalists Tampa Bay Sun, Fort Lauderdale United End Deadocked
If there’s one silver lining for Tampa Bay Sun FC from Friday night’s scoreless draw against Fort Lauderdale United FC its that the Super League’s inaugural title-winners retained their undefeated record against their Sunshine State foes, now 11 games without defeat in their series.
At the same time, that the sides that contested the inaugural Final in league history are now likely consigned to finish in the last two slots in the standings over the past two campaigns is a harsh truth with both expecting more after the disappointments of the 2025/26 season. The challenges both sides are facing might have been summed up by the Sun’s late penalty kick, which was sent off the left post by Eleanor Dale, whose rebound effort was then saved by Fort Lauderdale’s Haley Craig.
It was the second time the Sun had hit the woodwork in the contest, soon to be joined by Sydny Nasello’s effort with two minutes to go that hit the crossbar off her first-time finish. It marked the eighth time a side had hit the woodwork three times in a Gainbridge Super League contest. With Fort Lauderdale now mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, and Tampa Bay looking like soon joining them, this winter is going to be important as both clubs look to return to prominence in 2027.