2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season
August 15, 2026 – Audi Field – Washington, D.C.
Match Recap
DC Power FC fell 1-0 in a close match with Carolina Ascent FC to kick off the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season. This past offseason DC made several signings, as the new roster was showcased tonight. Five players in the starting lineup made their Power debuts in Sam Angel, Abby Boyan, Emma Jaskaniec, as well as professional debuts for Tatum Thomason and Katie Cappelletti.
Power began the game aggressively, maintaining possession and creating chances in the final third. In the 35th minute Carolina FC midfielder Mia Corbin placed a header into the back of the net off a cross lofted to the back post. The second half was tightly contested between both sides as Power pushed to find their opening goal of the game. Substitutes Tyler Lussi, Mak Whitham, and Kayla Colbert also made their Power debuts, coming on in the second half. An equalizing goal from Colbert, in her professional debut, was waved off for offsides after she tapped home a loose ball off a corner. At the end of the opening weekend, DC Power are sixth in the Gainbridge Super League standings. Power FC will look to bounce back and find their first win next week on the road against Brooklyn FC on Friday, August 21st.
Player Notes
- Goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti earned a start and made seven saves throughout 90 minutes in her professional debut.
- Forward Loza Abera was a creative force for DC, providing six chances in the attacking third in 90 minutes.
- Defender Claire Constant played a strong game for Power, anchoring the backline with seven clearances and recording an 88.5% passing percentage.
Match Notes
- DC Power outshot Carolina Ascent 21-13.
- DC Power are 0-1-0 in the 2026 Fall Gainbridge Super League Season.
Goals By Half
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
| DC Power | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carolina Ascent | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Scoring Summary
| Minute | Team | Goalscorer | Assisted By |
| 35’ | Carolina Ascent FC | Mia Corbin | Addisyn Merrick |
Misconduct Summary
| Minute | Team | Offender | Reason |
| 39’ | Carolina Ascent FC | Mackenzie George | Foul |
Boxscore
| Team | Shots | SOG | Corners | Offsides | Possession | Saves |
| DC Power | 21 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 53.9% | 7 |
| Carolina Ascent FC | 13 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 46.1% | 7 |
DC Power Lineup: Katie Cappelletti, Susanna Fitch (C) (Mak Whitham 63’), Claire Constant, Sydney Cummings, Justina Gaynor, Sam Angel, Abby Boyan (Tyler Lussi 63’), Emma Jaskaniec, Emily Colton, Loza Abera, Tatum Thomason (Kayla Colbert 63’).
Unused Substitutes: McKenna Gottschalk, Anna Bagley, Hallie Augustyn, Alyssa Walker,
Head Coach: Omid Namazi
Carolina Ascent Lineup: Sydney Martinez, Mackenzie George, Shea Groom (Ava Cook 70’), Audrey Harding, Rylee Baisden (Riley Mattingly 70’), Lily Nabet (Taylor Porter 65’), Mia Corbin (Emily Morris 65’), Jillienne Aguilera (C), Addisyn Merrick, Jenna Butler, Reese Tappan.
Unused Substitutes: Hope Hisey, Emily Moxley, Meaghan Nally.
Head Coach: Philip Poole
MATCH QUOTES
Head Coach Omid Namazi
Q: On new goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti’s performance:
A: “She’s a great presence. She reads the game well, making herself big when she comes off her line, and she’s very good in that sweeper-keeper role — whether it’s coming out to clear a ball or coming out to grab it. She was excellent tonight. She has good size, which helps any goalkeeper, but being brave is a separate quality altogether.”
Q: On the demands of the ‘sprint’ season:
A: “It’s good and bad. We talked about it all week — every game this spring season is like a final, because if you lose a couple in a row, all of a sudden you’re out of it and you’ve got a big hill to climb. That’s why next week is a must-win for us. Every game becomes that important.”
Forward Tatum Thomason
Q: On the positives to take from the match:
A: “I think we had promising moments — we were dangerous in front of the box at times, and talking to players from the other team, they said they don’t like playing us. We play a good style of soccer, and when we do get into those dangerous areas, we just have to finish. I think our possession in the midfield and winning first and second balls are our strengths, and we have great players down the middle. Those are the main positives I take from this match, and moving into the next one, those are things we need to capitalize on more.”
Forward Loza Abera
Q: On the team’s playoff chances with a lot of newcomers:
A: “To be honest, the newcomers are doing a great job. We worked a lot on that this preseason, and the newcomer players — Tatum included — are really doing a great job. So we’re looking forward to getting the chance to make the playoffs and compete for a championship this season.”
