DC Power FC, a new local professional women’s soccer team, played their inaugural home game at Audi Field on Friday night, losing to Fort Lauderdale United FC 2-0.
Hendrix Lapierre, who was announced as a co-owner in May, attended the game and brought some friends.
The 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs MVP took in the action along with Vincent Iorio, Pierrick Dubé, and Hardy Häman Aktell — all members of the Hershey Bears’ 2024 Calder Cup championship team.
Lapierre’s commitment to the club was recognized before the game as he participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with other supporters of the club. Jan Adams, owner and investor in the team, cut the ribbon as fellow co-owner, actress, and entertainer Crystal Renee Hayslett, looked on.
While on the pitch, the French-Canadian centerman took a photo with Jordan Stuart, team president of DC Power FC.
He and his teammates also snapped a pic with USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort before they took to their seats.
“I think it was a great opportunity for me to support a women’s sport in the DC area,” Lapierre told RMNB in June about his commitment to the team.
According to RMNB reader Preston Huntington, “the game was electric for a brand new soccer club in DC.” Preston, along with his wife Jenny, went home with special souvenirs from the game.
“We saw Hendrix in one of the suites,” Jenny said. “Preston stood in the stands above them and asked for Hendrix’s signature on the rally towels we got. It came back with signatures from all four players.”
Not only that, after the game, DC Power players stuck around and met with fans. Preston just so happened “to spot the guys that looked like hockey players” as they were walking out on the concourse. They took photos with the Capitals fans.
Lapierre wasn’t the only local sports athlete to attend the game. A night after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game, tennis star Frances Tiafoe attended the game and also received his own customized jersey.
“There’s something really exciting to see DC area athletes coming together to support not only a new franchise to the city, but women’s sports in general,” Preston said. “Seeing the kind of camaraderie is really special.”
