DC Power FC are back on the field this morning as they take on Carolina Ascent in a rare weekday lunchtime match at Audi Field. DC Power are coming off a 1-1 draw against Dallas Trinity last Thursday night.

DC Power is hoping that the midday match allows some schools to take advantage of the opportunity to take their students on a field trip to the match. The players are excited to be out there in front of some of the kids who might aspire to also play pro soccer one day.

It’s always a great experience getting to have kids come out there, especially the ones who look up to us,” Lexi Fraley said in media availability yesterday. “I think it’ll be a great opportunity and I think they’ll bring a good energy. They’re always very excited and so it’ll be a good energy in there tomorrow. So I’m really, really excited for that.” 

With hopefully a boost of energy from the next generation, DC Power is hoping to get the advantage against a Carolina Ascent team who are level on points with them in the Gainbridge Super League standings. DC Power is above the playoff line via goal differential, and they hope to add to that today.

“It’s what I call a six point game,” head coach Omid Namazi said. “It’s a swing game. If you win, you put yourself in a good position with a game in hand against Carolina..and we feel this is the team that most likely our battle is going to be against in terms of finding that last playoff spot.”

Makenna Gottschalk will once again be the goalkeeper as Sara Wojdelko has a thumb injury that will once again keep her out. Still, the confidence she gained in her performance against Dallas is shared by the rest of the team.

“She had a good outing against Dallas on Thursday, and there’s nothing for us to worry about in terms of her performance because she was strong,” Namazi remarked. “She showed that she can handle the pressure. So, we think we’re in a good place.”

DC Power hopes that good place will see them add three more points to their total and create some separation between them and Carolina in the standings. 

DC Power FC vs. Carolina Ascent

Location: Audi Field

Kickoff time: 11:30am ET

Available streaming: Peacock