DC Power FC (3-3-2, 11 pts.) 0 v. 1 Carolina Ascent FC (7-1-1, 22 pts.)
2026 Gainbridge Super League Fall Season
October 16, 2026 – American Legion Memorial Stadium – Charlotte, NC
Match Recap
DC Power FC fell 1-0 in a close match on the road against Carolina Ascent FC in their eighth match of Gainbridge Super League Fall 2026 season. In a matchup between the top two sides, both teams come off of wins, Carolina with a 3-0 result against Tampa Bay and DC Power beating Fort Lauderdale 2-1 in Washington, DC.
Carolina Ascent came out of the gates aggressively, scoring a early goal in the eighth minute. Defender Jenna Butler redirected a corner into the box which was headed into the net by forward Rylee Baisden. A few minutes later, Baisden hit the crossbar with another header as Carolina looked threatening for the rest of the half.
Coach Omid Namazi made several substitutions in the second half which helped DC challenge Sydney Martínez’s goal. In the 71st minute, substitutes Tatum Thomason and Justina Gaynor linked up for a give and go, with Gaynor’s shot ultimately saved by Martínez. Goalkeeper Katie Cappelletti made three saves to keep DC in the game as they pushed for a goal but ultimately were unable to equalize.
With this result, DC Power move into third place still at 11 points in the Super League standings, while Carolina keep their spot at the top of the league with 22 points. DC Power will look to return to winning ways next week as they take on Dallas Trinity FC on October 25 at Audi Field.
Player Notes
- Defender Hallie Augustyn made her first professional and DC Power start against Carolina Ascent. She maintained 88.6% passing accuracy throughout 45 minutes played.
- Defender Susanna Fitch made an impact on both sides of the pitch for DC in 90 minutes played. She recorded 16 passes in the final third and won eight duels, a team high.
- Forward Gianna Gourley recorded two shots and maintained a 100% passing accuracy in the opponent’s final third during 90 minutes.
- Forward Mak Whitham made her first start for DC Power this season. She created one chance and maintained 86.7% passing accuracy in 58 minutes played.
Match Notes
- DC Power maintained 63.2% possession against Carolina Ascent.
- DC Power is 0-8-2 against Carolina Ascent FC all-time in regular season matchups.
- DC Power move to 3rd place in the Gainbridge Super League standings with 11 points.
DC Power Lineup (3-4-1-2): Katie Cappelletti, Hallie Augustyn (Tatum Thomason 45’), Sydney Cummings, Sarah McCoy (Justina Gaynor 58’), Susanna Fitch (C), Emma Jaskaniec, Abby Boyan (Alyssa Walker 72’), Samantha Angel, Emily Colton, Mak Whitham (Kayla Colbert 58’), Gianna Gourley
Unused Substitutes: Makenna Gottschalk, Anna Bagley, Claire Constant
Head Coach: Omid Namazi
Carolina Ascent FC Lineup (4-4-2): Sydney Martínez, Jill Aguilera (C), Jenna Butler, Reese Tappan, Addisyn Merrick (Emily Moxley 60’), Audrey Coleman (Ava Cook 81’), Lily Nabet (Emily Morris 65’), Mia Corbin (Taylor Porter 65’), Rylee Baisden, Mackenzie George, Shea Groom (Chloe Hylton 81’)
Unused Substitutes: Meaghan Nally, Stella Spitzer
Head Coach: Philip Poole
DC POWER FC POST-MATCH QUOTES
Head Coach Omid Namazi
Q: On Carolina’s defensive pressure…
A: “You have to give them credit. I think they made us not play the way we want to play, by pressing, winning the duels. They dropped a little bit deeper and we couldn’t get in behind them and in the midfield they were fighting harder and winning tackles. It’s about the mentality, they’re in a really good place. If we want to be in the playoffs and contend for a championship, we need to have the same mentality.”
Q: On what needs to be done to turn the page and stay in a good position to close out the season…
A: “In terms of quality of who we have on the team, we’re so much better than last year but we haven’t played some of the football that we played last year. It was a lot of turnover, ten new players who weren’t used to the way we play. But now we’re eight games into the season and we should be in a better place. It comes down to moments in the end. We have to have that killer instinct and mentality and even if we fall behind, we have to fight and get back in the game.”
Defender Susanna Fitch
Q: On what to take from the game and move forward…
A: “It was disappointing to not get the win. I feel we are the better team. We had some good moments but we weren’t able to capitalize on our chances. I’m proud of everyone’s effort though. We didn’t give up and fought until the final whistle. We will regroup and work hard this week in training and push to get the win next week on our home field.”
Defender Sydney Cummings
Q: On what the team did well and what was missing to get the result…
A: “We’re disappointed about the result not going our way. We did a good job possessing the ball, but Carolina is a team that is capable of capitalizing on one opportunity and that’s what they did. The table is really close, so we’re looking ahead to our next match to get the three points to put us right back in it.”
