The Fall Finale is upon us.
There are just two weeks left in the first half of the 2024/25 Super League season. All eight of the teams have gone through ups and downs since August, but three clubs have risen to the top of the pack.
Brooklyn FC, Carolina Ascent FC and Dallas Trinity FC sit in the top three spots heading into this weekend with three points separating them. Brooklyn and Dallas both have a match in hand over Carolina, and the two will face each other on the final day of the Fall Schedule.
It’s only the halfway point and the standings will change in the spring to affect playoff implications, it’s still nice to go into the break with a hold on the No. 1 spot. Each of these three teams have the potential to finish in first, but here’s what they’ll need to achieve it:
Brooklyn: Keep doing what it’s been doing
Brooklyn is on a four-match winning streak, and despite going through a lull with only one match in over a month, the team can close out the fall with back-to-back wins if it keeps this momentum going. BKFC has found a starting lineup that takes control of matches early on and brings in substitutes that elevate the energy even higher. The defensive unit has looked cohesive, and the team is creating scoring opportunities from various areas on the field.
If the team wants to extend its first-place lead, it needs to take advantage of the matchup against Lexington. The Kentucky-based team has allowed the most goals this season and its defensive struggles can easily be taken advantage of by all the attacking skill on Brooklyn’s roster. That return to the field will get the team back in the right mindset before facing probably its toughest matchup this season against Dallas.
Carolina: Regroup and convert on goal
November was a tough month for the Ascent. Even before the back-to-back losses, we knew the unbeaten streak was likely coming to an end soon after barely making it out alive against DC and Spokane. Now, with a month between matches, the team has the chance to regroup, put those performances in the past and prepare for Fort Lauderdale United FC this.
If the team wants the chance to finish first, it has to take advantage of scoring opportunities. In its four matches last month, Carolina had 100 penalty area entries and 37 total shots but recorded just one goal in open play. Mia Corbin, Ashlynn Serepca and Jaydah Bedoya need to find that confidence they had in October and make the most of the time and space FTL gives them.
Dallas: Start the matches with high energy
Trinity was on quite a streak of its own, going unbeaten in seven matches before falling 2-1 to Fort Lauderdale last week. Now, with matchups against Tampa Bay and Brooklyn to close out the fall, Dallas needs to a regroup itself.
One of the biggest challenges for Dallas this season has been how it starts the match. The team has conceded four goals in the opening 15 minutes this season; no other team has conceded more than twice in that timeframe. Luckily for Dallas, it’s been able to equalize or take the lead more times than not after trailing – Trinity leads the league with eight points gained from losing positions – but Tampa Bay and Brooklyn could be too disciplined defensively to allow Dallas a comeback. Trinity needs to enter the match the way it’s been finishing and take an early command to set the tone.
This is an excerpt from The Super Newsletter, the USL Super League’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Thursday.