Florida Derby opens Spring Schedule with 2-2 draw

Tampa Bay Sun FC and Fort Lauderdale United FC split points for the second time this season after a goal-filled second half resulted in a 2-2 draw. Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon put the visitors up 2-0 before Tampa Bay converted twice from the spot to get back in the match.
Saturday marked only the third time this season that two penalty kicks were taken in a single match, and it was the second time one team took two penalties in a single match. Carlee Giammona joined Jess Garziano, Madison Wolfbauer and Emina Ekić as the only players to score two penalties this season.
Neither team is likely too pleased with the result; FTL lost a multiple-goal lead with 20 minutes left in the match, and Tampa Bay missed multiple chances in front of goal in the first half. It was only the second time this season Fort Lauderdale dropped points from a winning position, and the Sun hasn’t recorded a clean sheet in its last eight matches. Both sides will have weakness to work on before their next meeting in March to determine which Florida team will have bragging rights.

On The Move
Rank |
Team |
Change |
Summary |
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1 | ![]() |
Brooklyn FC (9-3-2) Week 21: @ TB |
![]() Last Week: 1 |
Brooklyn looks to continue its momentum from the fall as it heads into the second half of the season. Sitting six points ahead on top of the table, Brooklyn is on a six-match winning streak and has recorded four consecutive clean sheets, displaying dominance that it hopes to bring into three straight road matches to start the spring. |
2 | ![]() |
Fort Lauderdale United FC (6-5-3) Week 21: vs. LEX |
![]() Last Week: 2 |
It took FTL some time to find its footing in the match last Saturday, but the team looked strong once it maintained some possession and got its wingers more involved. Gordon earned her first goal of the season, and it would have been the game-winner if not for two unfortunate fouls in the box. |
3 | ![]() |
Dallas Trinity FC (6-3-5) Week 20: vs. TB |
![]() Last Week: 3 |
Dallas looks to bounce back from its last loss to Brooklyn and try to close the gap between the two clubs this weekend. The team will rely on its leading scorer Allie Thornton and its newest midfielder Lexi Missimo to bring some offensive firepower to the group on Saturday. |
4 | ![]() |
Tampa Bay Sun FC (5-4-5) Week 20: @ DAL |
![]() Last Week: 4 |
On the other side of the Florida Derby was Tampa Bay Sun, which came back from a two-goal deficit to prevent an opening home loss to start the spring. Despite finding a way to earn a point, the team continues to struggle on both ends of the field and makes things harder for itself by having to climb out of holes to earn results. |
5 | ![]() |
Lexington SC (3-8-3) Week 20: @ CAR |
![]() Last Week: 5 |
Lexington closed out the fall with a dominant 3-0 win over DC Power to end a streak of unfavorable results. The Girls in Green kick off the spring against Carolina Ascent, which it has drawn twice against. With plenty of offseason signings now in the mix, Lexington could look extremely different on Saturday. |
6 | ![]() |
Carolina Ascent FC (5-3-6) Week 20: vs. LEX |
![]() Last Week: 6 |
Carolina is desperately holding on to a spot in the top half of the standings, currently in fourth place by one point. Its home match against Lexington will show how the team used the winter break and if its newest signings of Jenna Butler and Riley Parker will bring offensive and defensive boosts to the group. |
7 | ![]() |
Spokane Zephyr FC (2-6-6) Week 21: @ DAL |
![]() Last Week: 7 |
Spokane dropped to the bottom of the standings after falling 3-2 to Tampa Bay Sun in the Fall Finale. The spring will see a more balanced home-away schedule for Zephyr, allowing the team to have more consistency and hopefully see more matches going in the win column. |
8 | ![]() |
DC Power FC (3-7-4) Week 21: @ CAR |
![]() Last Week: 8 |
Power FC is in a transitional period after hiring a new sporting director and with interim coach Phil Nana at the helm. The last time the team hosted Spokane, it nearly came away with all three points before an own goal resulted in a draw. This Saturday is an opportunity for DC to kick off the spring on a high note. |