“Discipline. Commitment. Pride.” Those words by Katie Duong in Friday’s press availability are serving as the identity for DC Power FC as they begin the second half of the inaugural season of the USL Super League. DC Power begin the spring schedule in sixth place with 13 points, 8 points under the playoff line.

Duong said that the team had taken advantage of the midseason break, taking some time off to recharge and used the second preseason to work on team chemistry and culture. The players wanted to define their team culture by three words: discipline, commitment, and pride. Duong says the players decided on those principles and plan to use them as the foundation for their team’s success in the second half of the season. They feel a brand new sense of energy as they put behind a tumultuous fall that saw them score the fewest goals in the league.

Interim head coach Phil Nana echoed Katie Duong’s comments, saying that “finding [their] identity” was the primary focus on the offseason. With Steve Birnbaum recently saying that it was Nana’s team, Nana said he wanted to bring his game model to the team in an effort to refresh and re-energize the players.

This team will seek to be aggressive and direct with their play, and Nana said fans can expect the team to “play with more heart and aggression” while also taking some risks. That includes finding chances to score goals. Katie Duong was very successful in the fall setting up scoring chances by sending crosses into the box, and she said they continue to work on that chemistry to capitalize on some of those chances.

The team was busy during the midseason break, with Mariah Lee departing the club and the team bringing in a couple of players: midfielder Emily Colton, who was signed late last month; and forward Gianna Gourley, who was acquired on loan from Fort Lauderdale FC a couple of weeks ago in a deal that partially included Jorian Baucom’s transfer to Fort Lauderdale.

Phil Nana’s squad will have to compete today with five players not available due to international duty: Katrina Guillou (Philippines), Jennifer Cudjoe (Ghana), DC Power captain Claire Constant (Haiti), Charlie Estcourt (Wales) and Loza Abera (Ethiopia). All are expected to rejoin the club ahead of the spring home opener on March 9th.

DC Power take on a Carolina Ascent squad on the road, who are third in the USL Super League table. They opened up their spring schedule last weekend at home, beating Lexington SC 2-1. Both Duong and Nana said that the team had reviewed Carolina’s match last weekend and noted some of the differences they see from the Carolina team they saw twice in the fall, including the USL Super League’s inaugural match. DC Power hopes to start this spring portion of the schedule on the right foot with a win on the road.

DC Power FC @ Carolina Ascent

Location: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Kickoff time: 3:00pm ET

Available streaming: Peacock