On January 21st, former DC United captain Steven Birnbaum entered a new role in the front office of DC Power FC, becoming the club’s first ever sporting director. Taking over sporting decisions for the club in the middle of its inaugural season, Birnbaum has been tasked with finding the course that brings DC Power to the top of the USL Super League table in a position to contend for the league’s first title.

With the team in the midst of preparations for the spring portion of the season, we sat down with Steve to get his thoughts on life after playing soccer, how the sporting director opportunity came about, and his vision for turning the team around. He also gives his insight on what the philosophy of the team will be and comments on how recent moves will help push the club forward.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

So [Steve], let’s start back in July. You retired from DC United. Soccer stuff aside for a moment, how are you feeling health wise? I know several injuries are what led to your retirement. 

Thanks for asking. I think, you know, the biggest thing for me is, I had a [full] hip replacement, and that was the first order of business, basically the week after I played that last game. And it feels good now.

I did a lot of rehab…I haven’t really ran since I stopped playing, and so I’ve just been kind of lifting, trying to keep the joints as healthy as possible. I know I’m going to need a knee replacement probably this year, and so it’s trying to fit that into [making] sure my body is healthy moving forward with my kids and everything. So the body feels pretty good right now. Having said that, I haven’t really done anything to make it not feel good, but I’m in a clear space with my body and able to move around, whereas before, there were days where I couldn’t get out of bed or it was a struggle, so I’d have to sit in a hot tub for like 15 minutes every morning so that I could get moving. So, yeah, life’s changed a lot in seven months, but I think it’s all for the positive.

[After retirement], what were those initial couple of months like? And when did you decide that you wanted to start working in the soccer space?

Like, the day I retired? I had the hip replacement and then I was able to be in a car basically two weeks later. And, I had a conversation with the [DC United] ownership group and Ally [Mackay] and Troy [Lesesne] and was like, “can I come in and do some work for you guys?” I was scouting for the club…took a couple trips here and there, and also just being around the group and trying to help them prepare for the off season and stuff moving forward. So that was what I did initially [for] the second half of 2024 and then this opportunity came up with DC Power. And, the [DC Power] ownership group was really excited about this because that’s the space where I eventually want to be, [working as] a sporting director or a GM. And to have this opportunity come to fruition so soon was kind of a dream come true for me. I had to jump at the chance to snag it. And so I’m very fortunate and and lucky to be in this position.

I’m learning on the job. It’s one of those things where soccer was my whole life, and I understand it and had been in a professional environment. But at the same time, I’m learning different parts about it: negotiating contracts, dealing with staff, dealing with…everything that that’s involved with the club that you don’t really see as a player. And so it’s been really exciting for me personally.

You haven’t been in [the sporting director] role before, you mentioned the scouting that you did before you moved to this role. What you what do you think has helped you the most in preparing to take on this [sporting director] role, because most people know sporting directors are a lot different than being a player or just being in the front office.

Well, I think over the last few years, I’ve realized this is something I’ve wanted to do as a career path before I retired anyways. I pretty much knew this is something I wanted to get into, and I had done some due diligence…I’d had a lot of conversation with multiple GMs around the league, just through the relationships that I’ve built [over time]. I even took a trip to Swansea over the offseason to shadow their sporting director at one point.

And so I’ve kind of picked up bits and pieces here and there, and then, just observations on how meetings are, on operational things. And that happened a lot while I was in the scouting department with DC United and watching how Ally Mackay kind of operates and his staff. I just kind of watched and tried to learn and pick up as best as I could in that part of it. So for me, it’s just been kind of, learning on the job and drinking from the fire hose.

There’s been few people who have made the crossover from men’s soccer to women’s soccer, whether it’s playing, front office or [coaching]. What have you seen so far in your role that’s been different?

A lot of it is really similar, at least in my space. I’m obviously doing a lot of the scouting stuff, and so it’s finding the players that can fit into what our game model is and what we’re trying to do for not just this season, but for the future as well. A lot of it’s similar…it’s a professional soccer league. It’s a professional soccer team. They’re professional athletes, they’ve done this their whole life…it’s all pretty much the same. I really don’t see much of a difference. Obviously, the game itself is different…watching the game, there’s different things on the men’s side of the ball [that would be] different for the women. I think it’s mostly on the field..but these are professional athletes.

What have been some of the learning curves that you’ve had in general?

Learning the new rules of [the USL Super League] specifically. I was pretty embedded in MLS, and knew most of the rules going in with that. But, stepping into a role like this, you got to pretty much know the roster construction, the rules for that, and how and when you can sign players. So I think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve had to kind of learn on the fly once I took this over, and the types of moves we can make and how to do that. The processes with that every day is a learning curve for me, and like I said, I’m thankful to be in this position, but at the same time I’m trying to take full advantage of it.

On the field, fans, friends, teammates, coaches, everyone considered you a warrior. What’s Steve Birnbaum, the sporting director, going to be like?

The same! I’m kind of a blue collar guy…I’ll roll [up] my sleeves. It doesn’t matter what there is, I’m willing to do it. It doesn’t matter what the role requires for me, if it’s sweeping up the [training] ground or anything, I will do it to better the team and make sure that we’re in in the best position possible. That’s been my MO my whole life. I’m going to continue that way. I tried to lead by example. I think in this role, you’re managing a staff, and they look up to you, and you’re essentially overseeing the roster. So, I try to do my best to lead by example and be very honest and upfront about decisions being made and what I’m going to be doing and very collaborative with my staff. I think that’s the best way to bring the most out of people.

Let’s shift to the team and what’s been going on during the break. January 21st is when you were officially named sporting director. The team has been very busy since then. What have been some of your priorities in reshaping the roster as you get ready for the spring season?

We have Phil Nana in as interim head coach, and he’s been doing a great job. And, prior to me being announced, I was doing some advisory stuff with [DC Power]. So I looked at the roster for a while, and we’ve been collaborating on it quite a bit for maybe two months, understanding certain roster needs. And, we are really excited about Emily Colton coming out of Wake Forest, [she was a] top talent in college, and we see her as a staple moving forward for years to come. And so it’s about just plugging and playing within Phil’s game model right now. But at the same time, we’re trying to be an energetic, enthusiastic team moving forward.

I know [Phil Nana] is the interim. It was said before Thanksgiving that a coaching search would conclude with a hire in time for the spring portion of the season. Can you give us an update on whether Phil is going to continue on a long term basis, or if you are still actively looking at new head coaches?

I don’t think we’re actively looking right now. I think for me, it’s Phil’s show right now, and we’re giving him the keys. And I’m trying to provide him with the best roster so that he can succeed and so that he can feel like he’s had a fair shot at his job and putting a good product out there. So, it’s Phil’s job, and he’s doing a great job. We’re collaborating, we work well together, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next couple months hold for us.

So will Phil Nana continue with the interim tag, or have you guys dropped that [tag]?

He’s still continuing with [the interim tag] for now. But, we’re not actively looking right now.

So, [DC Power] is sixth in the [USL Super League] table right now. One of the key aspects has been scoring goals, and that’s been something that’s been lacking so far this year, scoring the fewest goals in the league. What will be the game plan to get that going and get more balls into the back of the net?

I mean, I think you see it with the Emily Colton signing. We also just announced Gianna Gourley on loan from Fort Lauderdale FC, who’s an athletic forward as well, who can put goals in the back of the net. We’ve known it, and [during this second] “preseason,” Phil has been really hammering that home for this group, that we need to score more goals and we need to be more productive in the final third. So that’s what we’re looking for and it’s essentially on the girls to produce that and [Phil] putting them in the best formations so they can succeed.

What does the philosophy and methodology of the team look like for DC Power FC moving forward?

We want to play an attractive style of play. I think that’s first and foremost. We want to play an attractive style of play, but also take what’s given to you. I learned that from a lot of coaches that I played for. Of course, you would love to have a 50-pass sequence and score a goal. But if there’s a high line and there’s space behind, [then] hit it long and it’s a foot race, one pass and a goal, no problem. So, I think working with Phil, he’s extremely adaptable with his game model. He’s looking to be fluid throughout the games, working on game management or opposition management for the week leading up to that game. And so [the gameplan] might vary week to week.

You signed Emily Colson, she had been very productive at Wake Forest and UNC, she’s been on the youth national teams for the United States. Talk about how that move came about, and what you see in her, and how she might add to the offense.

Yeah, we’re really excited about putting her on the field and hopefully scoring goals for us. She’s proven to be a goal scorer in college, but also she can create for others. And, I think that’s what’s exciting too. She likes to come underneath. She’s extremely technical, and she’s a player that can regain well and show up in the right pockets at the right time. And so, I think that’s really what drew us to her. And she was eager to come here…I think she was really excited to be in The District and be a part of something special.

We haven’t seen a lot of intraleague transfers in the USL Super League so far. You signed Gianna Gourley and we know that Jorian Baucom went the other way to Fort Lauderdale FC. Were those linked moves?

They were linked. But [they were] separate [transfers], if that makes sense.

In Gourley, what motivated that move? And, how easy or difficult is it to scout some of these other teams that you’re watching to maybe go, “hey, this person might look better in blue and white?”

That’s the tough part of the job, projecting out what you think may happen. And, there’s always a risk to it. In Gianna Gourley’s case, I think she’s an athletic playmaker and she’s someone who Phil and I looked at and went back to the college tape to do a deep dive and we thought would be good for us, and could maybe get us over the hump and start kind of taking goals in for us and cause that chain reaction.

The roster is currently, by my count, 24 players. Are there any more moves that you think you’re going to be making as the season progresses, or are you at this point kind of set with the roster that you currently have?

I believe [we’re at] 23 players. So I think we’re right there [and the] roster is probably set. I’m always open to other moves throughout the year. It’s always a fluid situation. And I’m not going to say the roster is completely closed because that’s just not how professional sports work.

One of the quirks of the schedule is that there is a midseason break. How has the team taken advantage of that and what are some of the challenges? How’s the team adapted to these two months off?

I think it’s excitement. I wasn’t here for the first half of the season, but coming in, a lot of the women seemed energized. It’s basically a second preseason that you get to just kind of hone in. And, we didn’t have the best end to the first half of the season…so to come in and [know] we have basically another season coming up, let’s put all our chips on the table. Everyone worked together to build for the second half of the season. So I think it’s excitement. I think it’s a cool game model, it’s a cool structure to the league, because it’s something different. It provides opportunity, and it’s something that I’m excited about. And it’s been great for me to step in during this time, to assess the roster and everything moving forward. I’m enjoying it.

The team recently announced the full spring home schedule, and all the games are going to be at Audi Field. That had been marked as as TBD for a while. Can you tell us if there were other considerations involved in that, or was it just Audi Field’s loaded schedule with all the other entities that they play home to?

No, we were always planning on playing at Audi [Field]. I think it’s just about scheduling with DC United and other teams. I think the biggest thing is that we were always planning on playing at Audi [Field]. That’s our home that we’re excited about. I’m excited about connecting with fans out there who may not know about the league and want to get into it, and so I’m always willing to have those connections.

What’s in store for the fans who are coming out, and how does the team continue to pull them in? What is the message to fans about DC Power FC?

I think it’s a really exciting time. It’s a new league, it’s an opportunity for more women to be in a professional setting, and just more opportunities in general. And, we get to be displayed on a big stage. So come out! Tell everyone to come on out. We’re excited to have everyone out to Audi [Field] and and support [DC Power].

Looking ahead to the end of the season, DC Power will turn it around and make it the playoffs based off the strength of ____?  

I’m gonna say based off the strength of our willingness to score goals. You hit the nail on the head with what we’ve talked about. I think it’s something that we are aware of. We’ve been honing in on it this whole preseason. And I think Phil [Nana]’s got the team in the right headspace to attack and go after it and so that’s what I’m looking forward to. I think that’s what’s exciting about this second half of the season and and hopefully we can answer that bell.

DC Power FC’s season restarts on the road on February 23rd when they take on Carolina Ascent. Their first home match of the spring will be on March 9th against Lexington SC.