ROAD TO THE FINAL
No. 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC 2, No. 3 Dallas Trinity 1
Tash Flint’s goal and assist helped Tampa Bay Sun FC overcome an early deficit and earn a 2-1 win over Dallas Trinity FC to advance to the inaugural USL Super League Final on Saturday night at Riverfront Stadium.
Dallas took the lead when defender Hannah Davison headed the ball past Tampa Bay goalkeeper Ashley Orkus in the 17th minute off an assist from Julia Dorsey. Flint equalized from the penalty spot before halftime, and she lofted a perfectly placed pass over Dallas’ backline to Carlee Giammona, who chipped goalkeeper Madison White and netted the game-winner for the hosts in the 59th minute.
No. 4 Fort Lauderdale United FC 2, No. 1 Carolina Ascent FC 1
A brace from Kiara Locklear earned Fort Lauderdale United FC a 2-1 victory after extra time over Players’ Shield winner and No. 1 seed Carolina Ascent FC on Sunday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
After going into halftime scoreless, Carolina’s Kathrynn González netted her first goal of the season to put the home side on the board. Locklear scored the equalizer in the 68th minute and later found the game-winner off a volley from the center of the box in the final minute of extra time.
FINAL PREVIEW
No. 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC v No. 4 Fort Lauderdale United FC
Venue: Riverfront Stadium; Tampa, FL
Kickoff: Saturday, June 14; 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms, 87°
Tampa Bay Sun FC will host the inaugural USL Super League Final this Friday against inter-state rival Fort Lauderdale. The Sun have been in peak form in the last few months of the season, going undefeated (4-0-1) in its last five matches. The team is especially strong at home and has not lost at Riverfront Stadium since March 19. Tampa Bay will likely look to Tash Flint this weekend, as the English international recorded a goal and assist in the semifinal win against Dallas.
Fort Lauderdale United FC took down the No. 1 seed in extra time to earn a ticket to the Final against Tampa Bay, the one team FTL UTD has not been able to defeat this season. Fort Lauderdale is also on a five-match unbeaten streak (3-0-2) but has battled from behind to earn results, mostly on the road. Striker Kiara Locklear has been the biggest offensive threat for FTL this spring, especially after scoring the game-winning brace last weekend.
FINAL STORYLINES
ALL-LEAGUE SELECTIONS
Tampa Bay’s Tash Flint, Sydny Nasello, Cecilie Fløe and Vivianne Bessette were named to the All-League Teams along with Fort Lauderdale’s Addie McCain, Jasmine Hamid and Laveni Vaka.
View the full list here.
FLORIDA DERBY PT. 5
The two Florida-based teams will face off in the inaugural Super League Final in Tampa. The sides played to three draws (1-1, 2-2, 1-1) before the Sun took the first win, 2-0, at Riverfront Stadium on April 5.
COMEBACK COMPLETED
Both teams came back down 1-0 and scored two unanswered goals to advance to the Final.
FORT LAUDERDALE’S KRYPTONITE
Tampa Bay Sun is the one team Fort Lauderdale has not been able to defeat this season.
SCORING STREAK
Tampa Bay is on a 17-game scoring streak, netting at least one goal in every match this Spring Schedule. The last time the Sun was shut out was December 8 against Dallas Trinity.
W LEAGUE ALUMS
Eight USL W League alums will be available for selection for the USL Super League Final.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT
Learn more about Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale players for additional content:
- Never Giving Up | Tampa Bay Sun FC: Brooke Hendrix
- How Kiara Locklear revived Fort Lauderdale’s championship hopes
FINAL DISCIPLINE REPORT
TAMPA, Fla. – There are no new suspensions to report.
LEAGUE LEADERS – PLAYOFFS
GOALS:
- Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 2 goals
- Carlee Giammona (TB) – 1 goal
- Tash Flint (TB) – 1 goal
- Hannah Davison (DAL) – 1 goal
- Kathrynn González (CAR) – 1 goal
ASSISTS:
- Tash Flint (TB) – 1 assist
- Julia Dorsey (DAL) – 1 assist
- Julia Grosso (FTL) – 1 assist
- Sh’Nia Gordon (FTL) – 1 assist
- Rylee Baisden (CAR) – 1 assist