Featured image and all images courtesy of Ari Anderson, DC Power Football Club.

D.C. Power FC played their inaugural home match, losing 2-0 to Ft. Lauderdale United FC at Buzzard Point. However, the scoreline didn’t capture the bright spots for the still developing team.

For Power FC, it was a night to remember, with a star-studded crowd to celebrate their homecoming. Investor/owner, Jan Adams, and co-owner, Crystal Renee Hayslett, joined USL Super League Commissioner Amanda Vandervort and Danielle Cole of Agile Defense for a pre-match panel to discuss their hopes for the future of women in sports.

USL Super League Commissioner Amanda Vandervort spoke to The District Press at half time, saying, “We’re excited about D.C., about Audi field, about the ownership group here. You know, D.C. is a great community, a huge area. You know, the entire DMV, I think this, they’ve been great supporters of women’s soccer, and I think having the USL Super League and D.C. Power offers a different option for women’s soccer fans to come experience the highest level of women’s soccer.”

See the full interview with Commissioner Vandervort here.

Neither team had many chances in the first half, but Ft. Lauderdale took advantage of the two they had. The game tipped in their favor favor early, as Addie McCain slotted home a shot in the box in the 9th minute. Receiving a cross from Cameron Brooks, McCain used her hip to put it into the goal.

Through much of the first half, Power FC’s possession-based build-up stagnated in a tight Fort Lauderdale United midfield defense. Lack of space in the midfield led to increased offensive play through the wings and limited clear opportunities in the attacking third, evidenced by 0 first-half shots on goal.

Jasmine Hamid (yes, THAT Jasmine Hamid) flung in a second for Ft. Lauderdale in the 39th minute to double the visitor’s lead before the half. Her well-placed strike left Power goalkeeper Morgan Aquino little chance to save.

In the second half, DC managed to find some more space on the ball and be more organized on the attack. Coach Fred Brillant stated at halftime he wanted to see more energy from the team, and that showed with increased aggression in the second half. More consistent opportunities developed in the opposition box, and “game-changers” Charlie Estcourt and Loza Abera subbed on in the 60’ to bring new energy into the team.

They ended the night with 20 shots to Ft. Lauderdale’s 11, with 4 shots on goal, but weren’t able to add to their own score line. Despite the frustration in not being able to find the net, the team collectively has focused on the positives with their play and remain confident that the goals will come.

Asked about the goals, Captain Susannah Friedrichs acknowledged “we created a lot of good chances, but unfortunately it wasn’t able to go in, so we just keep building on that and keep trying to get better.” She added as players join the team “we’re bonding very well; we have great chemistry; and it’s a process.”

For head coach Fred Brillant, the supporters in the District have a special place. He said, “I said to the players, look, this is the support we have in D.C. You know, I’m so very pleased with the fans. Thank you very much. I hope we can show them our real identity with the next games.”

Brillant reflected on his homecoming to Audi Field and the D.C. area saying, “It means a lot. You know, I used to be here as a player talking with you. Here as a player, an assistant coach with Wayne [Rooney], and then right now, head coach… You know, new team, new color, but still the same family. So I’m very, very pleased to be to be here.”

D.C. Power FC next faces Spokane Zephyr FC on the road Sunday, September 22 at 9pm EST. Stream on Peacock.

Three Takeaways

• Keep an eye on Loza Abera. Ethiopian national team captain Loza Abera made her debut in this match, coming on in the 60th minute to reinvigorate the team. In her short time on the field, Abera had multiple big chances, including one in the 67th when she made it past the opposing keeper but had her shot cleared off the goal line by a defender. Brillant praised her performance after the match: “She’s a little bit raw because she doesn’t have a background of playing with a professional team, but when she’s going to get that concept and everything in the mind, the soccer IQ, she’s going to be very good.”
• Brillant wants the team to push. Brillant has explained his philosophy for getting goals in the first few weeks of the season, but reiterated after the match that he wants his midfield to get the ball and go. At times during the first half, Brillant could be seen on the sidelines waving his team forward in an effort to create advantages on the attack. Fort Lauderdale was able to spot it and bog down play in the middle – “credit to them for that,” said Brillant in the postgame press conference – but look for DC Power to continue to search for ways to move quickly down the field and create player advantages against their opponents.
• Building chemistry. Both head coach Fréd Brilliant and the players described continuing to build good chemistry as the team comes together. Striker Jorian Baucom said “It’s part of the game. It’s part of being in a professional sport, and again they’re game-changers for a reason. We need players in moments like that to come in and bring the energy for us, bring the intensity. We need to build more in the final third. We need to create more chances…And again we’re four games in, so it’s building that chemistry on and off the field.” A fog crept into Audi Field into the second half–as Power FC grew into the game, bringing more energy and shots on goal, the fog cleared, providing an apt metaphor for the season ahead.

Box Score

D.C. Power FC: 0

Ft. Lauderdale FC: 2 (Addison McCain (Brooks) 9′; Jasmine Hamid 39′)

Lineups

D.C. Power FC (4-2-3-1): Morgan Aquino; Madison Murnin, Amber Diorio, Madison Wolfbauer, Susanna Friedrichs (C); Katie Duong, Jennifer Cudjoe (Mariah Lee 46’), Katrina Guillou (Anna Bagley 80’); Grace Ngock Yango, Yuuka Kurosaki (Loza Abera 60’), Jorian Baucom (Charlie Estcourt 60’)

Substitutes: Adelaide Gay, Alex Kirnos, Phoebe Canoles,

Ft. Lauderdale FC (4-3-3): Cosette Morche (Makenna Gottschalk 36’); Cameron Brooks, Laveni Vaka, Celia Gaynor, Adrienne Jordan; Darya Rajee, Felicia Knox, Anele Komani (Taylor Smith 54′); Jasmine Hamid, Sh’nia Gordon (Reese Klein 66’), Addison McCain

Substitutes:  Nia Christopher, Gianna Gourley, Sheyenne Allen, Anna Henderson

Misconduct Summary

D.C. Power FC: Duong 41′, Friedrichs 80′, Wolfbauer 90′

Ft. Lauderdale FC: none

Game Notes

The last time Power FC’s head coach Fréd Brillant and Fort Lauderdale United FC’s head coach Tyrone Mears shared the same pitch was in a 2016 MLS match. Brillant played right centerback for NYC FC and Mears right fullback for Seattle Sounders. NYC FC won 2-0 in Seattle.

Sarah Kallassy, Donald Wine II, Matt Haney, and Annie Elliott all contributed to this recap.