DC Power FC returns to action this afternoon when they take on Spokane Zephyr on their furthest road trip. The team is trying to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Lexington SC last weekend, but they enter the match with increased confidence that they will be able to put together a full match.

“85 minutes of good playing is not gonna win games,” interim head coach Phil Nana said in this week’s press availability. “We need to get to 90 minutes plus, so the message was…consistency and how we play, maintaining the focus for the whole duration of the match. This is a winnable match for us. We’re very confident in what we have, but of course on the road, it is never gonna be easy.” So far, that confidence has been building each match, with DC Power generating 20 shots last weekend against Lexington and 3 goals against Carolina.

DC Power hope to get out of the cellar of the USL Super League standings, as Spokane is just a point and place ahead of them. This match is crucial in that aspect, but Nana said that the team is getting more confident about moving numbers forward and making the defense have to spread thin. “[We’ll] put four players, five players on that front line and and really dare the the opposition to defend…we’re very aggressive going forward, but we make sure that we have countermeasures [on defense] that would keep us from getting countered.”

One of the players that has helped with the attack has been Gianna Gourley, who joined DC Power from Fort Lauderdale United FC during the midseason break. She said the midseason break was great for her and midfielder Emily Colton — who also joined the team during the midseason break — to get up to speed and form a good chemistry with their new teammates. And that chemistry is growing when they’re on the attack.

“I think when we we push up and put the back line under pressure and you can tell that they’re nervous, I think that feeds the energy and gives us momentum,” Gourley said during DC Power’s press availability. She went on to mention that her, Colton, and midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki have been able to work well on the field. “I think if Yuuka’s getting [the ball] behind, I’m coming in and vice versa, so I think that’s helped [my transition] to the team.” DC Power hopes that chemistry will help generate more goals and be the difference in the Pacific Northwest this afternoon.

DC Power FC @ Spokane Zephyr

Location: ONE Spokane Stadium, Spokane

Kickoff time: 5:00pm ET

Available streaming: Peacock