No. 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. No. 3 Dallas Trinity FC
Riverfront Stadium
How We Got Here
Tampa Bay Sun FC (12-6-10) has been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season but is hitting its peak at just the right time. The Sun hovered around the middle of the pack throughout the spring and went into Winter Break in fifth place. However, Tampa Bay picked up points in 13 of its 15 spring matches and won three of its last four to clinch the No. 2 spot in Week 34.
Dallas Trinity FC (12-9-7) went through more peaks and valleys this season compared to its opponent. The team had an impressive fall slate going 6-3-5 and headed into the break in second place. The spring was a bit rockier, where Dallas had a 6-6-2 record and lost three straight matches in May before a hard-earned win on the final day secured a playoff berth.
Series History
Tampa Bay and Dallas have an even series record against each other at one win and two draws apiece. The teams opened their campaigns against each other on opening weekend at Riverfront Stadium. Defenders Hannah Davison and Brooke Hendrix both headed in goals for a 1-1 draw. The other 1-1 draw came earlier this spring, when Lexi Missimo and Parker Goins got on the scoresheet.
Dallas got the first win in the series on December 8 at the Cotton Bowl; Trinity netted two goals within three minutes for the 2-0 victory. The Sun won in their most recent meeting, despite a red card requiring the team to play with 10 for the majority of the match. An early goal from Hannah Keane claimed the three points.
Players to Watch
Both teams have top-tier strikers that have led their respective teams to victories throughout the season. Tampa Bay’s Cecilie Fløe, who was just named May Player of the Month, finished the regular season leading the team in both goals (11) and assists (4). The Danish forward makes great runs into the box and is clinical with both feet, while also sending in great crosses and through-balls to set up her teammates.
On the other hand, Dallas has the league’s Golden Boot winner in Allie Thornton. All 13 of Thornton’s goals came in the run of play, and she’s also an ambidextrous shooter as well as an aerial threat. Dallas’ playmakers like Chioma Ubogagu and Tamara will likely pick out Thornton inside the box as their main target on Saturday.
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC
How We Got Here
Carolina Ascent FC (13-6-9) likely surprised no one when it claimed the No. 1 spot and the inaugural Players’ Shield in Week 33. The team opened the season on an 11-match unbeaten streak and had arguably an even more impressive stretch in the spring when it won six in a row with a +19-goal differential. The Ascent never dropped below the playoff line all season and will be tough to beat in the playoffs with home field advantage.
Fort Lauderdale United FC (11-8-9) was the final team to clinch a playoff berth, finishing in a spot that was consistent with what the team showed all season. Fort Lauderdale also went into Winter Break in fourth place, recorded 1.5 points per game in both spring and fall, and had nearly identical home (6-4-4) and away (5-4-5) records.
Series History
Like the other semifinal matchup, Carolina and Fort Lauderdale have an even series record against each other with two wins apiece. In the spring, both home teams won, starting with a 2-1 Ascent victory on September 6. In the Fall Finale, Fort Lauderdale won 2-0 at Beyond Bancard Field behind a brace from Kiara Locklear.
In the fall, it was the road teams to earn three points both times. In March, Fort Lauderdale came from behind to win 2-1 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. However, Carolina got its revenge in April and handed FTL UTD its worst loss in a 5-2 rout. Mia Corbin and Audrey Harding had braces of their own, and Sarah Troccoli scored her third of the season.
Players to Watch
Carolina scored a league-high 45 goals across a league-high 15 scorers, so nearly every Ascent player should be watched on the offensive end. However, Golden Playmaker Jill Aguilera led the league in assists and was second in chances created, and Corbin finished second in the Golden Boot race and tied for first in the league with 50 shots.
The player Corbin tied with was Fort Lauderdale’s Sh’Nia Gordon, whose goal last weekend sent the team through to the playoffs. Gordon and Locklear have been the two most dangerous players in the final third as of late for the Florida-based team. The two have combined for 17 goal contributions this season and will be the two biggest threats for Carolina’s defense.