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Brooklyn, Tampa Bay, DC look for first spring wins | Week 24 Match Previews

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Spokane Zephyr FC vs. DC Power FC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium; Spokane, WA 

Kickoff: Saturday, March 15; 5:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Showers, 47° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know 

  • Both teams are coming off 2-1 home losses in Week 23. Spokane fell to Carolina Ascent, and DC lost to Lexington. 
  • Spokane is 1-0-1 against DC this season. Zephyr picked up its first-ever win on September 22, 2024, when it hosted DC in the 1-0 victory. 
  • Spokane’s Katie Murray and DC’s Madison Wolfbauer played two seasons together (2017-18) at the University of Illinois. 
  • DC has scored in back-to-back matches for the first time this season. 

Players to Watch

SPK – Haley Thomas: The outside back has been putting in work on both sides of the field lately. In last week’s match, Thomas recorded eight clearances while also talling two crosses and one shot. 

DC – Loza Abera: The Ethiopian striker has been a burst of energy off the bench for DC Power. She scored her first goal of the season last week to get the team back in the match against Lexington. 

 Spokane Zephyr FC DC Power FC 
Head Coach Jo Johnson Phil Nana (Interim Coach) 
Club Record 3-7-6 3-8-5 
Standings 7th 8th 

Brooklyn FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Venue: Maimonides Park; Brooklyn, NY 

Kickoff: Saturday, March 15; 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Overcast, 52° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Saturday’s match will be the first at Brooklyn’s new home stadium Maimonides Park in Coney Island. 
  • Brooklyn is coming off its worst loss of the season, falling 6-0 to Dallas last week. The team is still searching for its first win of the Spring Schedule. 
  • Fort Lauderdale is undefeated and has scored at least one goal in its last seven matches. 
  • FTL’s Addie McCain and Jasmine Hamid are first and third in the Golden Boot race. McCain has nine goals, and Hamid has seven and has scored in the last four matches. 
  • Both teams are 1-1-0 against each other. Fort Lauderdale won the first matchup 1-0, and Brooklyn rebounded with a 3-1 victory in October. 
  • If Fort Lauderdale wins, it would take over the top spot in the league standings for the first time this season. 

Players to Watch

BKN – Luana Grabias: Brooklyn has struggled to find its footing offensively since its return from break. However, Grabias has shown to be a spark up top who can shoot from distance or dribble through traffic for a short-range blast into the back of the net. 

FTL – Jasmine Hamid: Every team should have Hamid on their scouting report at this point of the season. The 2x Player of the Month is extremely dangerous down that left flank and can shoot from anywhere or set up her teammates inside the box. 

 Brooklyn FC Fort Lauderdale United FC 
Head Coach Jess Silva Tyrone Mears 
Club Record 9-4-4 8-5-4 
Standings 1st 2nd 

Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC 

Venue: Riverfront Stadium; Tampa, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, March 15; 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear skies, 71° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Tampa Bay is coming off a 1-1 draw against Fort Lauderdale last week. Carolina most recently picked up a 2-1 win at Spokane. 
  • Tampa Bay is 1-0-1 against Carolina this season. The teams ended in a scoreless draw in their first matchup before the Sun ended Carolina’s 11-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 the last time they played at Riverfront Stadium. 
  • Tampa Bay has only lost one of its eight home matches. It is 3-1-4 at Riverfront Stadium. 
  • Carolina Ascent forward Riley Parker will return to the Sunshine State this weekend to face her former team Tampa Bay Sun for the first time since her winter break transfer. 

Players to Watch

TB – Cecile Fløe: The Danish forward picked up her team-leading sixth goal of the season last week to earn a point in the Florida Derby. Fløe has that attacking instinct in front of goal and will be the biggest threat for Carolina’s backline. 

CAR – Jenna Butler: The NC State alum has fit right into the Ascent’s defense since she joined the team in January. Not only has she been aggressive in protecting the net on her end of the field, but she’s also an aerial threat on the other side, as we saw last week when she headed in her first professional goal. 

 Tampa Bay Sun FC Carolina Ascent FC 
Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown Philip Poole 
Club Record 5-4-8 7-4-7 
Standings 5th 3rd 

Brooklyn vs. Fort Lauderdale: A battle for the top spot

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Here’s what you need to know ahead of a crucial clash at the new Maimonides Park 

Saturday night brings the game everyone associated with Brooklyn FC has been anticipating, its first at the new Maimonides Park in Coney Island. 

What’s more, it could end up as one of the most consequential regular season games in the USL Super League’s inaugural season. 

Brooklyn (9-4-4, 31pts) is set to host Fort Lauderdale United FC (8-5-4, 28pts) at 6:30 p.m. ET in the latest No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash we’ve seen this season. Only three points separate the teams, and with how both have looked since the return from break, we could be in for another big upset. 

Here’s the breakdown on this top-of-the-table battle:  

Potential outcomes

  • A win for Brooklyn would give the team a much-needed boost and extend its first-place lead. It would also provide Carolina or Dallas a chance to jump over Fort Lauderdale into second place. 
  • A win for Fort Lauderdale would put both teams at 31 points, but Fort Lauderdale would claim the tiebreaker based on head-to-head points earned. FTL would be in top spot for the first time this season, and Brooklyn would be knocked to second for the first time since mid-November. 
  • A draw would keep Brooklyn in first place but still leaves the door open for Carolina and Dallas to take second. 

Recent form

Brooklyn has not looked quite like the team we saw during most of the Fall Schedule. The league-leaders went into the break on a six-match winning streak with four consecutive clean sheets, but since the return, it has gone 0-1-2 with just one goal scored and seven conceded. Last week’s 6-0 loss to Dallas was extremely uncharacteristic for Head Coach Jess Silva’s side and a match the team would like to quickly forget. 

Fort Lauderdale is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The team has gone 5-0-2 in its last seven matches with a goal differential of +7. The new additions the team brought on over the break have provided even more depth to FTL’s roster, and its attacking unit is one of the fastest and most lethal groups in the league. 

Previous meetings

The sides are 1-1-0 against each other this season with the home team taking the three points in both matches. In October, it was the 18-year-old Reese Klein who scored the game-winner for FTL in the 1-0 win. Fort Lauderdale owned the possession battle in that match with 59% of the ball and had seven shots on target to Brooklyn’s two. 

In the second meeting, Brooklyn turned the tables. Goals from Sam Kroeger, Dana Scheriff and Mackenzie George helped the team to a 3-1 victory. Eleven of its 17 shots were on frame, and the win was the second of six during that unbeaten surge to end the fall. 

Players to watch

Brooklyn: Luana Grabias (F), Sam Kroeger (M), Sasha Pickard (D) 

Fort Lauderdale: Jasmine Hamid (M), Addie McCain (M), Laurel Ansbrow (D) 

Grabias is one of the most technical forwards in the league with the ability to score in a variety of ways. Paired with Kroeger’s knack for intercepting passes and quickly playing her teammates into space, Fort Lauderdale needs to be wary of Brooklyn on the counterattack. 

On the other end, the duo of Hamid and McCain has been nearly unstoppable this season. They account for 16 of FTL’s 25 goals on a combined 51 shots. McCain is incredible at gaining possession of the ball in the midfield – she leads the league in duels won (110) – and Hamid has shown she will take any bit of space defenders give her and blast shots from distance. 

On the defensive end, Ansbrow has quickly become one of the best center backs in the league since her arrival in Fort Lauderdale in January. She can play great balls over the top, and her size makes her a huge aerial threat. Meanwhile, Pickard has been stellar in the outside back position for Brooklyn. She’s speedy and positions herself well to cut off her opponent’s crosses, but she also makes the runs forward to provide an option in the team’s attack. 

How many records did Dallas’ win set? | Week 24 News & Notes

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REWIND: WEEK 23 NOTES

FTL 1 – 1 TB

  • GOALS:
    • Jasmine Hamid (FTL) 8’, Sh’nia Gordon assist.  
    • Cecilie Fløe (TB) 32’, Paige Almendariz assist.  
  • STORYLINES:
    • FOUR IN FOUR: Jasmine Hamid continued her scoring streak and has now scored a goal in four consecutive matches, the longest streak in league history.   
    • SIXTH: Cecilie Fløe scored her sixth goal of the season, tying teammate Carlee Giammona for the most on the team and tied for fourth in the league.  
    • LUCKY #7: Fort Lauderdale has now scored at least one goal in seven consecutive matches, tying its and the league’s record for the most consecutive matches with a goal.  
    • FIRST: Paige Almendariz recorded her first assist of the season. 
    • DERBY DRAWS: Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay have drawn against each other for the third time in a row. 
  • QUOTES:
    •  Fort Lauderdale Head Coach Tyrone Mears:
      •  On the team’s performance and moving forward… “I think we started the game well, but we lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. At the end of the day, we’ll take the point, learn from this and shift our focus to the game against Brooklyn.” 
    • Fort Lauderdale goal scorer Jasmine Hamid:  
      • On her goal and the team’s effort… “I think it was really exciting. We’d been working on crossing and finishing for a long time. So, to get a goal like that was really great.” 

SPK 1 – 2 CAR

  • GOALS:
    • Eli Beard (CAR) 5’, Audrey Harding assist.  
    • Jenna Butler (CAR) 30’, Jill Aguilera assist.  
    • Ally Cook (SPK) 85’, Penalty. 
  • STORYLINES:
    • FIRST TIMERS: Beard, Butler and Cook all recorded their first goals of the season.   
    • PENALTIES: Spokane is 3/3 from the penalty spot this season. Only Spokane and Tampa Bay have a 100% conversion rate on penalty kicks on more than one attempt. 
    • GOALKEEPER CHANGE: Carolina had a different goalkeeper for the first time this season. Samantha Leshnak Murphy made two saves in her debut. 
  • QUOTES:
    •  Spokane Head Coach Jo Johnson:  
      • On the team’s second half performance… “Proud of the fight in the second half, but we need to play a full 90.” 
    • Spokane Forward McKenzie Weinert:  
      • On the team’s fight and performance… “Tough result tonight, we weren’t happy with how we came out in the first half and were punished for it, but we responded well in the second half, and I’m proud of that fight from the team to get one goal back.” 
    • Carolina Head Coach Phillip Poole: 
      • On the team’s past few performances and the win… “I think when you combine the trip, quality players, quality opponent, it’s a great win. I think we definitely should’ve picked up more points in the previous two games so all in all, makes for a better win and a better result.” 
    • Carolina Goal Scorer Eli Beard:  
      • On her first start and goal… “It meant a lot to get my first start and contribute with a goal. My teammates have been incredibly supportive and gave me a lot of confidence going into the game, which made a big difference. I’m looking forward to building on this performance and continuing to grow with the team.” 

DC 1 – 2 LEX

  • GOALS:
    • Julie Mackin (LEX) 23’ 
    • Hannah White (LEX) 60’  
    • Loza Abera (SPK) 85’, Gianna Gourley assist. 
  • STORYLINES:
    • FIRST TIMERS: Mackin, White and Abera all recorded their first goals of the season.  
    • FIRST: Gianna Gourley recorded her first assist of the season. 
    • OFFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT: DC scored in its second consecutive match for the first time this season.  
    • LONG RANGE: Mackin’s hit from far marks a league-leading seventh goal from outside of the box for Lexington. Brooklyn and Fort Lauderdale are tied for second with four each. 
  • QUOTES:
    •  DC Power Interim Head Coach Phil Nana:  
      • On the team’s performance… “We had moments of brilliance. We trained well and we prepared well. Sometimes, the best team doesn’t win but we must take the mindset of having a 90-minute performance. That’s the only way we get points.” 
    • DC Power Forward Loza Abera:  
      • On her first goal this season… “I’m so happy, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” 
    • Lexington Interim Head Coach Sam Stockley:  
      • On the positive effects of the win… “Getting that win continues to help create the trust and helps to create buy-in to the things that we want them to do moving forward. When we review the film, there’s still a lot of areas we want to improve because we want to continue to get better.” 

DAL 6 – 0 BKN

  • GOALS:
    • Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) 6’, Lexi Missimo assist.  
    • Camryn Lancaster (DAL) 45+2’, Allie Thornton assist.  
    • Allie Thornton (DAL) 68’, Chioma Ubogagu assist. 
    • Allie Thornton (DAL) 70’, Chioma Ubogagu assist. 
    • Lexi Missimo (DAL) 79’, Lucy Shepherd assist. 
    • Lucy Shepherd (DAL) 88’, Sealey Strawn assist. 
  • STORYLINES:
    • GOAL + ASSIST: Ubogagu, Thornton, Missimo and Shepherd all recorded at least one goal and one assist in this match. 
    • SNAPPING THE STREAK: Dallas’ win ended Brooklyn’s eight-match unbeaten streak that dated back to October 19. 
    • DALLAS FIREPOWER: No other team has scored more than three goals in a single match. Dallas has now done it twice, scoring six goals in both matches. Five different scorers in one match is also a league record. 
    • CLEAN SHEET: Madison White recorded her sixth clean sheet of the season, tying her for first in the league with Carolina’s Meagan McClelland. 
    • SHEPHERD’S STATS: Lucy Shepherd scored her first goal and recorded her third assist. She became Dallas’ league-leading fifth player to enter as a substitute and score a goal. Cyera Hintzen, Gracie Brian, Thornton and Strawn all previously scored as substitutes. 
  • QUOTES:
    • Dallas Head Coach Pauline MacDonald:  
      • On the team and the result… “Today we definitely found our way, we found our togetherness again which is key. I think that from our perspective, the players got everything they deserved today.” 
    • Dallas Goal Scorer Allie Thornton:  
      • On the momentous win… “I think it gives us a lot of confidence. Today there was a really great flow to the game which is something we missed out on in the last couple of games. I think this only gives us more confidence to keep doing what we’re doing and keep striving to score more goals.” 
    • Brooklyn Head Coach Jessica Silva: 
      • On the loss… “This is a competitive league, and the second half of the year is almost like a new season. Every team will be better, hungrier, and smarter. It’s up to us to rise to that challenge. We know what we are capable of.” 
    • Brooklyn Midfielder Mackenzie Pluck:  
      • On what went wrong… “We obviously weren’t good enough on all fronts. Small errors lead to big costs. I think a lot of it comes from playing smarter, not harder. So, in moments of chaos, we need to regain control and remember our strengths. It’s a wake-up call for us, for sure. We need to unite as a group and never let that happen again.” 

WEEK 24 SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 15th  
Spokane Zephyr FC v DC Power FC, 5:00 p.m. ET  
Brooklyn FC v Fort Lauderdale United FC, 6:00 p.m. ET 
Lexington SC v Dallas Trinity FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 
Tampa Bay Sun FC v Carolina Ascent FC, 7:30 p.m. ET 

WEEK 24 STORYLINES

FOUR IN FOUR 
Jasmine Hamid scored in her fourth straight match last week, the longest scoring run of the season thus far. 

YOUNG STARS 
Dallas’ Sealey Strawn recorded her third goal contribution in last week’s match. Here are some of the young standouts from across the league: 

  • DAL – Sealey Strawn (17 years old); 470 minutes, 4 starts, 1 goal, 2 assists 
  • FTL – Taylor Smith (17 years old); 1,064 minutes, 11 starts 
  • LEX – Emma Johnson (17 years old); 429 minutes, 4 starts 
  • CAR – B Hylton (17 years old); 129 minutes, 1 start 

IN THE RECORD BOOKS 
Dallas’ 6-0 win against Brooklyn set multiple new league and club highs: 

  • The six-goal differential was the most since Dallas won by four goals in the 6-2 match against Lexington on September 13, 2024. 
  • Six goals is the most scored while also keeping a clean sheet. Tampa Bay, Brooklyn and Lexington previously held the record, each recording 3-0 wins. 
  • Brooklyn had previously only conceded multiple goals in a single match once, falling 2-0 to Carolina Ascent on October 19, 2024. 
  • Five different scorers is the most for one team in a single match. Only three players scored for Dallas in the 6-2 win. 
  • Allie Thornton is the first player in league history to record 2 goals/1 assist in a single match. 
  • Chioma Ubogagu became just the second player to record 1 goal/2 assists in a single match. Her teammate Amber Brooks did it first in the 6-2 win. 

ON THE BRINK 
Fort Lauderdale’s Addie McCain is one goal away from reaching 10 goals scored on the season. Not far behind is Dallas’ Allie Thornton with eight goals scored. 

NO. 1 SPOT 
If FTL UTD wins this weekend against Brooklyn, the team will move into the top spot in the standings for the first time this season. Brooklyn has been No. 1 since Week 14. 

ABOVE THE PLAYOFF LINE 
Four points separate the top four teams in the league standings. With all eight teams in action and a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, the top of the table might look different by the end of the week. 

RILEY’S RETURN 
Carolina Ascent forward Riley Parker will return to the Sunshine State this weekend to face her former team Tampa Bay Sun for the first time since her winter break transfer. 

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS 
Spokane’s Katie Murray and DC’s Madison Wolfbauer played two seasons together (2017-18) at the University of Illinois and will face off against each other this weekend at ONE Spokane Stadium. 

DISCIPLINE REPORT – WEEK 24

TAMPA, Fla. – There are no new suspensions to report. 

LEAGUE LEADERS

GOALS:

  • Addie McCain (FTL) – 9 goals 
  • Allie Thornton (DAL) – 8 goals  
  • Jasmine Hamid (FTL) – 7 goals  
  • Carlee Giammona (TB) – 6 goals 
  • Mia Corbin (CAR) – 6 goals  
  • Cecilie Nielsen (TB) – 6 goals 
  • Madison Parsons (LEX) – 5 goals 
  • Sydney Shepherd (LEX) – 4 goals 
  • Natasha Flint (TB) – 4 goals 
  • Marykate McGuire (LEX) – 4 goals 
  • Luana Grabias (BKN) – 4 goals 
  • Jessica Garziano (BKN) – 4 goals 

ASSISTS:

  • Madison Perez (LEX) – 5 assists  
  • Madi Parsons (LEX) – 5 assists 
  • Mackenzie Pluck (BKN) – 4 assists 
  • Emina Ekić (SPK) – 4 assists 
  • Shea Moyer (LEX) – 4 assists 
  • Jillienne Aguilera (CAR) – 4 assists  
  • Mackenzie George (BKN) – 3 assists 
  • Rylee Baisden (CAR) – 3 assists 
  • Sydny Nasello (TB) – 3 assists 
  • Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 3 assists  
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) – 3 assists  

CLEAN SHEETS:

  • Meagan McClelland (CAR) – 6 clean sheets 
  • Madison White (DAL) – 6 clean sheets  
  • Sydney Martinez (BKN) – 4 clean sheets 
  • Morgan Aquino (DC) – 4 clean sheets 
  • Hope Hisey (SPK) – 4 clean sheets 
  • Neeku Purcell (BKN) – 4 clean sheets 
  • Cosette Morche (FTL) – 3 clean sheets  

MILESTONES

HAT TRICKS:

  • DAL – Allie Thornton (9.13.24)
  • FTL – Addie McCain (9.22.24)
  • BKN – Luana Grabias (11.13.24)

BRACES:

  • DAL – Chimoa Ubogagu (9.13.24) 
  • DC – Madison Wolfbauer (9.29.24) 
  • TB – Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (10.2.24) 
  • CAR – Ashlynn Serepca (10.19.24) 
  • LEX – Madison Parsons (10.19.24) 
  • DC – Allie Flanagan (10.25.24) 
  • TB – Cecilie Fløe Nielsen (11.2.24) 
  • LEX – Hannah Richardson (12.14.24) 
  • TB – Natasha Flint (12.14.24) 
  • FTL – Kiara Pralle (12.14.24) 
  • DAL – Allie Thornton (03.09.25) 

Super League Power Rankings – Week 23

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Dallas, Carolina move to top three, Brooklyn falls after tough loss 

Another week, another set of Super League players getting on the scoresheet for the first time this season. Eight players recorded their inaugural goals, and three more bagged their first assists, many of which contributed to earning a result for their teams. 

All six scorers in the second and third matches of Week 23 were first timers. Eli Hutchinson and Jenna Butler gave Carolina Ascent a two-goal lead going into halftime. Spokane’s Ally Cook converted on a penalty kick in her first start with Zephyr. Meanwhile, Lexington’s Julie Mackin hit a banger from outside the box, and Hannah White cleaned up a rebound for what would be the game winner. DC Power’s Loza Abera, the team’s leader in shots, finally found the back of the net to prevent the shutout. 

In Dallas’ goal-filled win, two new players netted their firsts. Camryn Lancaster headed the ball past Brooklyn’s backline and slotted it home right before halftime. Lucy Shepherd earned her first goal and third assist after entering the match in the 76th minute. The league has reached 76 different scorers for 158 total goals. 

On The Move

5 CAR 5 BKN

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Fort Lauderdale United FC
(8-5-4)
Week 24: @ BKN
Last Week:
1		 FTL stays at the top after extending its unbeaten streak to seven matches. Jasmine Hamid continues to find the back of the net, and Cosette Morché made a couple big saves to help the team earn the 1-1 draw. With Brooklyn up next, another win could move Fort Lauderdale to not just the top of the Power Rankings but the league standings.
2 Dallas Trinity FC
(7-4-6)
Week 24: @ LEX		 4
Last Week:
6		 Just when it looked like Dallas had fallen into a little bit of a slump after dropping points in its last two matches, the team came out and bagged six goals against No. 1 Brooklyn. Trinity looked like they wanted it more and were rewarded with a big win in front of their home crowd.
3 Carolina Ascent FC
(7-4-7)
Week 24: @ TB 		5
Last Week:
8		 The Ascent grabbed a much-needed win on the road against Spokane to bounce back from last week’s loss to Fort Lauderdale. Eli Hutchinson and Jenna Butler scored their first goals of the season, and Carolina looked like the 11-match unbeaten team they did at the start of the season.
4 Tampa Bay Sun FC
(5-4-8)
Week 24: vs. CAR		 1
Last Week:
3		 For the third time this spring, Tampa Bay Sun fought back from a deficit to earn a point, all against top-four ranked teams. While the team would likely want to avoid conceding early and getting just one instead of all three points, the fight in this team is undeniable.
5 Lexington SC
(4-10-4)
Week 24: vs. DAL		 1
Last Week:
7		 Lexington’s last draw against Brooklyn might have given the team some confidence, as it battled for the win against DC Power on Sunday. Julie Mackin and Hannah White were the latest Girls in Green to score their first goals, and they will need to keep up the high offensive production for next week when they face Dallas.
6 DC Power FC
(3-8-5)
Week 24: @ SPK		 1
Last Week:
5		 DC looked like the stronger team in the first and last 20 minutes of the match, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Lexington. Conceding first seems to take the wind out of DC’s sails, and if the team would put chances away early and avoid playing from behind, a lot of its results might look different.
7 Brooklyn FC
(9-4-4)
Week 24: vs. FTL 		5
Last Week:
2		 Brooklyn took a hard hit on Sunday, suffering its worst loss of the season. The team didn’t look like its usual self, and it has yet to earn a win since the return from break. Despite still clinging on to the top spot on the table, Brooklyn’s position is increasingly under threat and needs a win against Fort Lauderdale this weekend.
8 Spokane Zephyr FC
(3-8-5)
Week 24: vs. DC
4
Last Week:
4		 Spokane reverted to its form from the first half of the season and lost 2-1 to Carolina Ascent on Saturday. Zephyr controlled possession and created chances on goal but didn’t capitalize, which has often been the case all year.

What we learned from Week 23 in the USL Super League 

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Fortunes in the USL Super League seem to change every week, and this one was no different. Last weekend’s results showed how tight the competition is across the league and that all unbeaten streaks eventually come to an end. 

Here are the three biggest takeaways from Week 23: 

Tampa Bay is Fort Lauderdale’s kryptonite 

Heading into Saturday, Fort Lauderdale United FC looked like it might be able to pull out the win against its interstate rival. United was at home, won its last two and four of its last five matches, and Jasmine Hamid was on a heater. 

But just like when it met Tampa Bay Sun FC a few weeks ago, Fort Lauderdale couldn’t hold on for all three points. The hosts won the possession battle with 55 percent of the ball, but only one of its eight shots were on target. Meanwhile, the Sun had three shots on frame, with its goal coming from FTL’s backline being a step too slow and Hamid keeping Cecilie Fløe onside. Cosette Morché made a huge save in the 14th minute after Fort Lauderdale had a defensive breakdown, otherwise Tampa Bay could have come away with the win. 

Against the other two teams Fort Lauderdale has faced this spring, its defense looked organized and has conceded just once to Carolina Ascent’s Mia Corbin. But Tampa Bay completely exposed FTL’s defensive weaknesses, and the sides split points once again. 

Spokane and DC need to play with urgency sooner 

Both Spokane Zephyr FC and DC Power FC opened their spring accounts with impressive performances that could’ve given them momentum to build off of in Week 23, especially being back at home. However, Carolina Ascent FC and Lexington SC spoiled their returns with both matches ending 2-1. 

Ironically, DC and Spokane both prevented the shutout with goals in the 85th minute. It wasn’t until late in the second half that both teams picked up the pace and put their opponents on their heels with quality looks on goal. The fact remains eighth-placed DC is last in the league with 13 goals conceded in the first half, and seventh-placed Spokane isn’t far behind on 11 goals against. It’s a big reason why they’re in the spots they sit in.  

What is happening to Brooklyn? 

Nobody could’ve predicted the 6-0 smackdown that Brooklyn FC suffered against Dallas Trinity FC on Sunday. Not only had Dallas not scored against Brooklyn in either of their last two matches against each other, Brooklyn had conceded just nine goals all season, the only single-digit figure in the league. And to be shutout for the second week in a row is extremely unlike Brooklyn. 

But since the group’s return to play last month, they’ve just looked a little off. They conceded early against Tampa Bay but battled back to earn a point. They looked slow and blunt in attack in the scoreless draw against Lexington. Against Dallas, they could barely get out of their own half, let alone connect two passes together. Brooklyn plays second-place Fort Lauderdale next week, and if it shows up how it has all spring, it can kiss that No. 1 spot goodbye. 

Will Tampa Bay or Fort Lauderdale take the first Florida Derby crown? | Week 23 Match Previews

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Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC 

Venue: Beyond Bancard Field; Davie, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, March 8; 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear skies, 67° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Fort Lauderdale is on a six-match unbeaten streak, most recently defeating Carolina Ascent 2-1 last week. Tampa Bay is also unbeaten in its last four and drew 1-1 with Brooklyn in Week 21. 
  • Saturday will be the third edition of the Florida Derby. Neither team has won yet, with the first two matches ending 1-1 and 2-2. 
  • Fort Lauderdale has scored two goals in each of its last six matches. 
  • FTL’s Jasmine Hamid was recently named the February Player of the Month for the second consecutive month. 
  • FTL’s Addie McCain is one goal shy of becoming the first Super League player to score 10 goals. 

Players to Watch

FTL – Jasmine Hamid: The winger has been on fire for Fort Lauderdale lately and has scored in all three matches since the start of the Spring Schedule. She had a banger in the last match against the Sun, so we can likely expect more excitement from the Player of the Month this weekend. 

TB – Jade Moore: Jade Moore was putting in work on both ends of the field in Tampa Bay’s last match against Brooklyn. The goal scorer won all six of her duels, created four chances and had three tackles, two interceptions and one clearance. 

 Fort Lauderdale United FC Tampa Bay Sun FC 
Head Coach Tyrone Mears Denise Schilte-Brown
Club Record 8-5-3 5-4-7 
Standings 2nd 5th 

Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium; Spokane, WA 

Kickoff: Saturday, March 8; 9:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy, 35° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Spokane is coming off its first road win after taking down Dallas Trinity 1-0 in Week 21. Carolina is looking to bounce back after losing 2-1 to Fort Lauderdale last week. 
  • Saturday will be Spokane’s first home match since October. The team ended the Fall Schedule on a six-match road trip. 
  • Carolina is 1-0-1 against Spokane this season. The Ascent won the first match at ONE Spokane Stadium 2-0 before the teams split points in a scoreless draw in November. 
  • Spokane’s Jo Johnson was recently named the February Coach of the Month. 

Players to Watch

SPK – Sarah Clark: Clark has been a cornerstone in Zephyr’s backline this season. She was named to the February Team of the Month after recording 11 clearances and two interceptions in the team’s win against Dallas. 

CAR – Taylor Porter: Carolina’s captain has been facilitating play for the team all season long. She recorded two shots, two chances created, two tackles and two clearances in the last match against Fort Lauderdale. 

 Spokane Zephyr FC Carolina Ascent FC 
Head Coach Jo Johnson Philip Poole 
Club Record 3-6-6 6-4-7 
Standings 6th 3rd 

DC Power FC vs. Lexington SC 

Venue: Audi Field; Washington, DC 

Kickoff: Sunday, March 9; 2:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly cloudy, 56° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Both teams are coming off draws in their last matches. DC Power played Carolina to a 3-3 draw in Week 21, and Lexington most recently held Brooklyn to a scoreless draw last week. 
  • Both teams took a win against each other in the first half of the season. DC won 2-1 at home in the first meeting before Lexington won 3-0 in the Fall Finale. 
  • DC had five players away on international duty during its last match that will be back in action this weekend. 

Players to Watch

DC – Gianna Gourley: The midfielder scored her first professional goal in her first appearance with her new club. Gourley was also a force on the defensive end during the match, earning four clearances, two interceptions and two tackles. 

LEX – Sarah Cox: In her spring debut, Cox recorded four saves to earn her first clean sheet of the season against Brooklyn, a team that hadn’t been shutout since October. 

 DC Power FC Lexington SC 
Head Coach Phil Nana (Interim Coach) Sam Stockley (Interim Coach) 
Club Record 3-7-5 3-10-4 
Standings 7th 8th 

Dallas Trinity FC vs. Brooklyn FC 

Venue: Cotton Bowl; Dallas, TX 

Kickoff: Sunday, March 9; 5:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly cloudy, 60° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Dallas is still looking for its first spring win after falling 1-0 to Spokane and drawing 1-1 with Tampa Bay last month. Brooklyn drew 0-0 with Lexington last week. 
  • Brooklyn has won both matchups against Dallas this season. 
  • Brooklyn is on an eight-match unbeaten streak (6-0-2). 

Players to Watch

DAL – Amber Brooks: The veteran midfielder earned another Team of the Month honor after her impressive performance in February. Brooks won 15 duels, made four clearances and completed 104 passes playing every minute of both matches.   

BKN – Allison Pantuso: Pantuso continues to shine as one of the best center backs in the league. In Brooklyn’s match at Lexington, she made six clearances and four tackles to help earn the clean sheet. 

 Dallas Trinity FC Brooklyn FC 
Head Coach Pauline MacDonald Jess Silva 
Club Record 6-4-6 9-3-4 
Standings 4th 1st 

How FTL UTD’s ‘Big 3’ can take the team to the playoffs 

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Trio of Hamid, McCain and Locklear have been dynamic force in club’s rise up the standings 

When the game is on the line, Fort Lauderdale United FC knows exactly who to turn to – Jasmine Hamid, Addie McCain and Kiara Locklear. This trio has been stacking up goals and dishing out assists over the last few weeks; only one of the team’s last 12 goals did not see one of the three find the net or provide the assist. 

Hamid’s speed, McCain’s decision-making and Locklear’s instinct in front of goal have left defenses scrambling. The result? Fort Lauderdale has jumped to second in the standings, putting frontrunner Brooklyn FC in its sights.  

Let’s break down how this three-headed attack can take FTL UTD into the postseason and why every other team should be worried about it. 

No defense can stop Hamid 

There’s a reason Hamid was just named Super League Player of the Month for the second-consecutive time. Since August, we’ve seen her use her speed to blow past defenders, but her technical skills also allow her to navigate past opponents 1v1. Combined with her ability to blast shots from outside the box, she’s a defender’s nightmare. 

Hamid is also spatially aware and adapts to what the opponent’s defense gives her. In last Sunday’s outing, Carolina left her wide open on the left flank. She timed her run into the box perfectly and tapped in the cross for an uncontested goal. In Week 16 against Dallas Trinity, she received the ball inside a crowded box with her back to goal. Instead of turning into pressure, she passed it back to an unmarked McCain, who scored the game-winner. On or off the ball, Hamid is a major threat in the attacking third. 

McCain owns the midfield 

McCain plays as a true No. 10, facilitating play and creating opportunities for her teammates while being defensively responsible when needed. She leads her team in chances created (22) and ranks fourth in successful passes (441). She’s also FTL’s leader in tackles won (32) and is head and shoulders above her teammates in duels won with 103 (Felicia Knox is second with 64). 

The interesting thing about the Golden Boot race leader is that most of her goals aren’t flashy or bullets from 20 yards out like Hamid’s. She just puts herself in the right place at the right time and is clinical inside the box. A third of her goals come from her winning the ball in the midfield, playing a through ball to her teammates, losing her defender by continuing her run into the box and getting on the end of a cross for a short-range finish. Six months into the season, opponents still haven’t figured out how to stop that. 

Locklear looks hungrier than anyone else on the field 

Ever since Locklear joined Fort Lauderdale towards the end of the Fall Schedule, she has injected a spark into its already thriving offense. She scored a brace in just her second appearance with the team and recorded six shots in only 112 minutes in those first two matches. Locklear signed with FTL UTD immediately after leading Lipscomb University to a conference title and winning Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year, yet she shows no signs of fatigue. In fact, that recent taste of success might be why she looks so hungry to find more in South Florida.

With three goals and three assists, Locklear has been involved in nearly every goal since her arrival. She is just as speedy as Hamid, times her runs well to stay onside, directs her teammates on whether to play her to feet or into space, and she can finish on the ground and in the air.  

What more could Head Coach Tyrone Mears ask for out of his No. 9?