If you were anywhere but locked into the USL Super League inaugural matches this past weekend, you missed out. From start to finish, the Inaugural Weekend was full of action and excitement to kick off the season.
Here are the top storylines from the opening weekend:
ALL THREE OPENERS SOLD OUT
If there were any concerns that people would not be interested in watching more professional women’s soccer in the U.S., last weekend put that doubt to rest. All three home openers sold out their stadiums, including the first match in Charlotte that hosted 10,553, setting a record for the single-game pro women’s soccer attendance in the Carolinas.
BRUCE SCORES FIRST LEAGUE GOAL
There will be a lot of League firsts this season, and Carolina Ascent earned the first goal and win on Saturday. After earning a free kick in the 27th minute, defender and North Carolina native Vicky Bruce made a run into the box and tapped the ball past the goalkeeper to score what would be the game-winner.
“It was absolutely unbelievable,” Bruce said. “I was just happy to be here, and I just wanted us to win as a team and get the result for the fans and then to be able to do that at my home turf – the feeling is unmatched. I hope I can continue to help do that, and credit to the girls that assisted me. It was a great ball, great positioning, we all just worked together the whole game. There’s nothing more I could have asked for.”
EKIC’S CHEEKY MOVE LEADS TO SPOKANE’S FIRST GOAL
Spokane Zephyr was the second home side to get on the scoreboard thanks to midfielder Emina Ekić. The Bosnian international made a run out to the corner flag before turning and nutmegging her defender as she continued into the box. Ekić drew the contact, resulting in a penalty in the 16th minute. She stepped up to the spot, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for the 1-0 lead.
“I was hyped,” Ekić said following the match. “It was a great team build-up, and that just represents what we embody as a team. We are one, and I think everybody is behind that.”
TWO CENTER BACKS NETTED GOALS IN TAMPA
Most spectators at Sunday’s match were looking out for the experienced forwards on both sides to find the back of the net, but it was two defenders who contributed to the split points. Just before halftime, Dallas Trinity earned a corner and connected a few passes before sending a cross into the box. Center back Hannah Davison headed the ball to redirect it past the keeper to momentarily put the visitors on top.
However, Tampa Bay Sun wasn’t going down easily and even the score in the 70th minute. In similar fashion to Dallas, Tampa earned a corner and sent the ball towards the far post, connecting with a center back. Brooke Hendrix rose above her defender and headed down the ball to score Tampa Bay’s first club goal.
MEMORABLE ENTRANCES KICKED OFF EACH MATCH
These Super League clubs definitely know how to put on a show. Carolina Ascent’s home opener included parachuters bringing down the inaugural match ball, and then the club capped off its first victory with a fireworks display.
Spokane’s 509 Syndicate Supporters Group led fans on a march up to the stadium, and over 400 girls’ youth players joined Club President Katie Harnetiaux on the field before the match to celebrate Women’s Soccer Day.
Tampa Bay Sun players arrived in style by pulling up to Riverfront Stadium in a water taxi, and the Heat Wave supporter section kept the crowd hyped up the entire match.
PLAYERS MAKE THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEBUTS
The foundation of the Super League is to provide more opportunities for women in soccer, including playing professionally in the U.S. During the inaugural weekend, all six clubs had at least one player make their professional soccer debuts.
Some of the players include collegiate standouts like Dallas Trinity’s Gracie Brian, a midfielder who shined with the TCU Horned Frogs, and former Stanford star Katie Duong, who played all 90 minutes for DC Power. Carolina Ascent had three first-timers, including 17-year-old B Hylton.