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HomeNewsWhat we learned from Week 10 in the USL Super League
Brooklyn FC Carolina Ascent FC Lexington SC

Last week featured a little bit of everything as Brooklyn FC and Carolina Ascent FC faced off twice, DC Power FC drew even with Dallas Trinity FC again and Lexington SC extended its unbeaten streak. 

Here are three things we took away from last week’s matches:  

1. Lexington should not be counted out

Just when it looked like Lexington might be stuck at the bottom of the standings for a while, it started picking up momentum. The team is now undefeated through its last three matches (2W-0L-1D) with both of the wins coming on the road. The comeback win on Saturday through a brace from Madison Parsons is an example of the effort the team has put in the last few weeks. 

“The last three games have been truly special for our team,” Parsons said postgame. “We’ve been grinding day in and day out since July, and to finally see all that hard work paying off is incredibly rewarding. Each game has added to our growing momentum, and with every win, that energy just builds. We’ve proven to ourselves, to our fans, and to the entire league that no matter what the score is, we’ll keep fighting with everything we have until the final whistle blows.” 

Lexington has also looked stronger since Claire Winter and Amanda Allen joined the team last month. The duo has combined for seven shots, five interceptions, 11 tackles and 38 duels won in the five matches played. We also have to mention the incredible saves Sarah Cox has made in her last few matches in goal. If the team can keep this form against DC Power this weekend, it can look to close out an undefeated month. 

2. Brooklyn is falling hard and fast

As quickly as Brooklyn FC rocketed to the top of the standings, it has just as quickly dropped to one of the lowest performing teams in the league. It went 3W-0L-1D through its first four matches before going 0W-3L-1D in its last four. 

Brooklyn is suffering from the same offensive struggles we’ve seen with DC and Spokane: unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In the two matches against Carolina last week, Brooklyn recorded 23 shots and six shots on target but earned scored only one goal off a great header by Allison Pantuso. It appears that the connection between Mackenzie George, Jess Garziano and Isabel Cox has fizzled out, and the team is panicking when in front of goal instead of finding the best option. 

Then, the backline is having to adjust to a swapping Sydney Martinez and Neeku Purcell behind them each week. And aside from Luana Grabias, the substitutes have yet to provide much off the bench, especially when they’re replacing the speed and technical abilities of George and Garziano. 

Brooklyn will host three matches before ending the fall portion of the season with three matches on the road. These next few weeks will be the best time for the team to regroup, re-find that cohesion and get back into the winning column. 

3. Goal line clearances save the day

Many goalkeepers from around the league have recorded some world-class saves so far this season, but not enough credit has gone to the defenders who have hustled back to make saves of their own.  

Carolina’s Jill Aguilera recorded two clearances on the back line in each half of the team’s match against Brooklyn last Tuesday. The defender’s quick instincts prevented the Ascent from potentially losing its first match of the season. Then, Saturday night’s match at FTL UTD Stadium saw Lexington’s Julie Mackin make an unbelievable clearance in stoppage time to hold on to the lead for the visitors.