Race to the Playoffs

USL Super League Race to the Playoffs – Week 35

May 29, 2025 by USLSuperLeague.com Staff

Welcome to the latest edition of the USL Super League Race to the Playoffs, where we provide weekly information on where teams stand in their bid to reach the 2024/25 USL Super League Playoffs.

Three teams still in the hunt. Two playoff spots left. One final night to decide it all.

Fort Lauderdale United FC, Dallas Trinity FC and Spokane Zephyr FC are all looking for a win to secure their spot in the playoffs this weekend. Dallas will play No. 1-seed Carolina Ascent, while Fort Lauderdale and Spokane will compete in a rematch of their inaugural game in August.

Let’s look at the key players to watch on Saturday from those three teams.

Saturday, May 31

Dallas Trinity FC

Carolina Ascent FC

8:00 PM

Cotton Bowl

Match Center

Tickets

DAL: Tamara & Chioma Ubogagu

The addition of Tamara has undoubtedly improved Dallas’ attack since she joined the team during the Winter Break. The Brazilian is aggressive in the midfield, winning 55% of her duels and 47% of her aerial duels, and she’s a threat in front of goal, logging a 46% shooting accuracy rate. Her speed allows her to get past defenders one-v-one, but she also makes well-timed runs to provide options inside the box for crosses.

Tamara’s chemistry with winger Chioma Ubogagu has been key. A former England international, Ubogagu is the ultimate playmaker, leading not only the team but the league in crosses (143) and chances created (45), while ranking second in assists (6). Dallas has so many attacking threats (Tamara, Allie Thornton, Sealey Strawn, Camryn Lancaster), they often just need to finish the chances Ubogagu creates for them. Not to mention, Ubogagu has no problem finding the back of the net herself, as she ranks second on the team with four goals.

If these two bring their best game on Saturday, even the most composed and consistent defense Carolina possesses will have a hard time stopping them.

Saturday, May 31

Spokane Zephyr FC

Fort Lauderdale United FC

9:00 PM

ONE Spokane Stadium

Match Center

Tickets

SPK: Ally Cook & Hope Hisey

It’s up for debate if Spokane would have had the success it’s seen this spring and be in the position to clinch a playoff spot if not for Ally Cook. The team was missing a true No. 9 in the fall, and Cook has stepped in and excelled in that role. It’s not just the fact that she has five goals, but most have altered the outcomes of Zephyr’s contests, serving as game-winners or equalizers to get critical points for the team. She’s always calm under pressure and composed in front of goal, shooting at a 53% accuracy rate. Her positioning has also allowed her teammates to play their roles better, as we’ve seen in the increase in production from Emina Ekić, McKenzie Weinert and Katie Murray this spring.

On the other end, goalkeeper Hope Hisey will be the key to holding Fort Lauderdale at bay. Hisey’s league-leading nine clean sheets are even more impressive considering she’s also the leader in saves (69), showing how often she’s been tested only to come up big for Zephyr. Her 77.5% save percentage is also the highest among goalkeepers that have played at least half of the team’s minutes. Hisey made four stops to earn a shutout the last time Spokane played Fort Lauderdale. With another on Saturday, she could help her side clinch a playoff place and remain in contention for the Golden Glove.

FTL: Sabrina McNeill & Kiara Locklear

A lot will be asked out of Sabrina McNeill on Saturday at left back going up against Spokane’s Weinert and Alyssa Bourgeois. Zephyr has scored multiple goals this spring through those two making runs down the flank to deliver crosses into the box. McNeill has the speed and skill to keep up with them and often wins the ball back deep into FTL’s defensive third. Scoring her first goal of the season last week might also spark some confidence for her to get more involved on the offensive end.

Leading that attack recently has been striker Kiara Locklear. Like Cook, Locklear has become the star in the No. 9 position since she joined the team in the late fall. She times her runs well, directs her teammates to play to feet or space, follows up and pounces on rebounds, and her left foot is just as threatening as her right. On top of that, she has four assists to go with her five goals because she recognizes when the better play is a square cross on the ground to her teammates like Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon. Those kinds of decisions will be the key to beating Spokane.

USL Super League Race to the Playoffs – Week 34

May 22, 2025 by De Turner

Welcome to the latest edition of the USL Super League Race to the Playoffs, where we provide weekly information on where teams stand in their bid to reach the 2025 USL Super League Playoffs.

The schedule for this weekend includes three matches with major playoff implications. Brooklyn FC needs a win to hold off elimination, Dallas Trinity FC can clinch a berth with three points, and Tampa Bay Sun FC can secure the No. 2 spot and home field advantage in the semifinal with a win and Dallas draw/loss.

Let’s take a look at one key to victory for each of the six teams taking the pitch on Saturday.

Saturday, May 24

Brooklyn FC

Carolina Ascent FC

2:00 PM

Maimonides Park

Match Center

BKN: Defensive composure and organization

Brooklyn has finally gotten out of its offensive lull and is finding the back of the net more consistently, so getting this win against Carolina will come down to defense. We’ve seen a few times this spring where Brooklyn concedes multiple goals in a short time span, and the backline completely deflates and takes its foot off the gas.

A lot of these goals come from the defense playing flat and getting beaten by balls over the top, not going strong enough into tackles, not clearing their lines quickly enough, or just making poor decisions, like the foul that resulted in a Tori Hansen red card in the team’s last match. If Brooklyn can remain composed, even after conceding, and communicate better, it has a chance at holding off Carolina.

CAR: Score early

The team has already clinched the No. 1 seed, so Saturday’s lineup and substitutions might look a little different than normal. However, Ascent has so many attacking options, who is and isn’t on the field doesn’t really make much of a difference when it comes to finding the back of the net.

Carolina has gone 2-0-1 against Brooklyn this season, outscoring them 8-1. In all three matches, Carolina already had a 1-0 lead by the 22^nd minute. Brooklyn struggles to earn results from losing positions, so Ascent just needs to score first and set the tone early to come away with a result.

Saturday, May 24

Fort Lauderdale United FC

Dallas Trinity FC

7:30 PM

Beyond Bancard Field

Match Center

FTL: Finish chances

There was a time from the end of the fall to the beginning of the spring when Fort Lauderdale looked unstoppable in the final third. Either Jasmine Hamid, Kiara Locklear or Sh’Nia Gordon were scoring in nearly every match, and the team was shooting on target and converting at a high rate.

Over the team’s last three games, it has recorded 35 shots, 11 shots on target and scored just three goals. The decline is not for lack of effort but more towards decision making, for example trying to shoot from a tough angle rather than laying it off to the open player making a run inside. It’s a simple fix that Fort Lauderdale must correct against a team like Dallas.

DAL: Limit counterattacks

Dallas has one of the most experienced defensive units in the league, which is part of the reason why it has allowed the second-fewest goals this season. It is also led by goalkeeper Madison White, who leads the league in clean sheets and ranks third in saves. However, the formation with three in the back does sometimes allow for attacks to outnumber Dallas in transition or expose the spaces out wide.

Trinity will need to limit those opportunities against Fort Lauderdale, a team that not only has speed but also excels in winning the ball in midfield and quickly turning defense into attack. All it could take is one turnover in Dallas’ defensive third for Fort Lauderdale to capitalize and prevent Trinity from clinching a playoff spot.

Saturday, May 24

Tampa Bay Sun FC

DC Power FC

7:30 PM

Riverfront Stadium

Match Center

TB: Defensive awareness

DC Power is on a four-game scoring streak with five different scorers getting in the mix. The team is finding ways to break down the opposition’s defense and is especially good at switching up strategies coming out of halftime. Tampa Bay’s best chance at securing a win is maintaining an awareness on the defensive end.

DC ranks second in offside calls, so the Sun’s backline must communicate when DC tries to send balls over the top to Gianna Gourley or Anna Bagley pressing high. Power also has multiple midfielders who shoot from distance, so the Sun should be mindful of not only the forwards getting inside the box but also who is lurking outside or behind the play.

DC: Play the full 90 minutes

DC Power’s attack has performed exponentially better this spring, so the deciding factor in Saturday’s match will be defense. The team came close to stealing a couple of points in its last two games against Spokane and Fort Lauderdale, but it conceded a goal in the last 10 minutes that changed the outcomes.

How DC closes the game is important against this Tampa Bay side, which has scored more than a quarter of its goals in the final 15 minutes of its matches. The Sun also have the most draws in the league and most points gained from losing positions, a sign that the side is never completely out of a contest, whatever it’s facing.

USL Super League Race to the Playoffs – Week 33

May 15, 2025 by De Turner

Welcome to the latest edition of the USL Super League Race to the Playoffs, where we provide weekly information on where teams stand in their bid to reach the 2025 USL Super League Playoffs.

There are just nine matches left in the regular season, and nearly each one has major implications toward the playoff picture. With five teams still fighting for one of the final three spots, it’s imperative for them to pick up points in the final three weeks.

Let’s look at the five most important matches remaining for each of the teams still in the race to the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Sun FC

Saturday, May 17

Carolina Ascent FC

Tampa Bay Sun FC

7:00 PM

American Legion Memorial Stadium

Match Center

Tampa Bay Sun’s next match is the most crucial for the No. 2 ranked team for multiple reasons. A win would not only clinch a playoff berth, but it would also spoil top-seeded Carolina Ascent’s final home game of the regular season and their hopes for securing the Players’ Shield for the time being, leaving the possibility open for the Sun just one point back. It would also be a big motivation boost heading into playoffs for Tampa Bay to defeat the top team on the road, end Carolina’s six-match winning streak and remain as the only team to never lose to the Ascent this season.

Fort Lauderdale United FC

Tuesday, May 20

DC Power FC

Fort Lauderdale United FC

7:00 PM

Audi Field

Match Center

It might seem odd to say Fort Lauderdale United’s most important match remaining is against a team that was eliminated from playoff contention last month, but let’s take a look at DC Power’s last few results. It beat Brooklyn 1-0 on the road, came back down 2-0 to defeat Dallas Trinity, then nearly just stole at least one point from Spokane on Tuesday. DC has been playing spoiler lately, and if Fort Lauderdale doesn’t take care of business against lower-seeded teams, its final two matches might not even matter.

Brooklyn FC

Saturday, May 24

Brooklyn FC

Carolina Ascent FC

2:00 PM

Maimonides Park

Match Center

As Brooklyn’s only remaining match of the season, the meeting against Carolina is as must-win as it gets. A loss or draw would eliminate it from playoff contention, and even with a win, Brooklyn would need many fortuitous results from around the league to hold on to that fourth-place spot. Also considering the 5-0 loss the last time it faced the Ascent, the red card suspension defender Tori Hansen will be on, and the fact that the team has yet to win at Maimonides Park, everything needs to go right for Brooklyn to get those three points.

Dallas Trinity FC

Saturday, May 24

Fort Lauderdale United FC

Dallas Trinity FC

7:30 PM

Beyond Bancard Field

Match Center

Dallas has slipped to fourth place, its lowest position this spring, and both of its remaining matches are crucial. However, the Ascent has all but secured first place, so earning a result against them isn’t nearly as important as against Fort Lauderdale, which still has the chance to knock Dallas out of the playoffs. The teams are 1-1-1 against each other this season, but the Trinity has lost its last three road games, so it needs to snap that streak here.

Spokane Zephyr FC

Saturday, May 31

Spokane Zephyr FC

Fort Lauderdale United FC

9:00 PM

ONE Spokane Stadium

Match Center

Spokane has done a remarkable job at getting results this spring to currently sit in third place; however, it’s not out of the woods yet. With only one match remaining, other teams with games in hand can still pick up points and shift Zephyr down the standings. One of those teams is Fort Lauderdale, so this final match of the season might decide not only seeding but which of these two teams makes the playoffs or not.

USL Super League Race to the Playoffs – Week 32

May 8, 2025 by De Turner

Welcome to the latest edition of the USL Super League Race to the Playoffs, where we provide weekly information on where teams stand in their bid to reach the 2025 USL Super League Playoffs.

Last weekend’s matches saw Tampa Bay Sun FC pick up a huge win in a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup against Dallas Trinity FC even after going down a player due to a red card in the 25^th minute. Brooklyn FC and Spokane Zephyr FC also came away with three points and remain tied for the final playoff spot.

Now, let’s take a look at Week 32’s fixtures and how their outcomes can impact the playoff picture.

Thursday, May 8

DC Power FC

Dallas Trinity FC

7:00 PM

Audi Field

Match Center

Dallas Trinity needs a win against DC this week after dropping points in an uncharacteristic loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday. Trinity now has only a one-point lead over the Sun, with both teams having three matches left on the calendar. Carolina Ascent FC is most likely to clinch the top spot in the standings, but finishing second and earning home-field advantage in the semi-final would be beneficial for both Dallas and Tampa Bay, as they each perform better in front of their home crowds.

Saturday, May 10

Brooklyn FC

Spokane Zephyr FC

6:00 PM

Maimonides Park

Match Center

Saturday’s first match between Brooklyn and Spokane will be one of the most important matches of the season for both clubs. Brooklyn’s postseason hopes are currently hanging in the balance, and a loss to Spokane along with a Tampa Bay win later in the night would eliminate it from contention. Meanwhile, Zephyr has just moved above the playoff line for the first time this season, and depending on the other two results from the week, a win could propel it to second place.

Saturday, May 10

Lexington SC

Tampa Bay Sun FC

7:00 PM

Lexington Stadium

Match Center

As mentioned above, a Tampa Bay win could potentially move the team into a playoff-hosting spot as well as eliminate a team from the hunt. However, a Lexington win would guarantee Carolina finishes top-two and make the contest between the Sun and Trinity even more competitive. But based on the series history, where Tampa Bay has defeated Lexington for three straight matches, the probability of the second outcome looks slim.

How would the USL Super League Playoffs look if they started today?

April 29, 2025 by USLSuperLeague.com Staff

Heading into the final month of regular season play, we’re kicking off the USL Super League Race to the Playoffs, where we provide weekly information on where teams stand in their bid to reach the 2025 USL Super League Playoffs.

The final standings are far from set, but what would the playoffs look like if they were to start today? Here’s the outlook for the two semifinal matchups based on the standings through Week 30.

No. 1 Carolina Ascent FC vs. No. 4 Fort Lauderdale United FC

Carolina is the only club thus far to secure its spot in the playoffs and is on the road to locking in the Players’ Shield and No. 1 seed. The team has won six matches in a row, outscoring its opponents 21-2 in that span. Fort Lauderdale United slides into that fourth spot on tiebreakers over Brooklyn and Spokane Zephyr. FTL UTD is not quite in the same run of form as Carolina, but it has games in hand to pick up extra points.

These two sides just faced off last week, and if it has any indication of how an actual playoff matchup would go, things don’t look great for Fort Lauderdale. If the Ascent could get a win like that on the road, spearheaded by braces from Audrey Harding and Golden Boot leader Mia Corbin, imagine it in front of its home crowd with a chance to host the Final on the line.

The key for Fort Lauderdale would be controlling possession, as it did in the second half of the March 2 match between the two sides when it came from behind to win 2-1. FTL UTD returned from halftime with composure, utilized the speed of Jasmine Hamid and Kiara Locklear, and scored in transition and on a set piece, where the team has been dominant all season.

No. 2 Dallas Trinity FC vs. No. 3 Tampa Bay Sun FC

Dallas has bobbled between the top three spots in the standings throughout the spring, earning 1.7 points per game, second behind only Carolina and Spokane. The team’s depth has propelled it to its current spot, with multiple new roster signings strengthening the attacking unit it already had. Tampa Bay has quietly snuck into third place only recently. The Sun stayed in the middle of the pack through single points off draws earlier in the spring, but a recent winning streak pushed it above the playoff line.

We’ll get a preview of this potential matchup this Saturday, only at a different venue. In this playoff scenario, Dallas Trinity would host, whereas this weekend’s showdown will be at Tampa Bay’s Riverfront Stadium. Trinity looks its best at the Cotton Bowl; it has only lost twice at home, and Dallas won 2-0 against Tampa Bay the first time they played there. Home field advantage along with Trinity’s multiple scorers, all with speed and the ability to score in various ways, could run circles around a Tampa Bay defense that concedes early and often.

The Sun would need to lean on its big three of Tash Flint, Carlee Giammona and Cecilie Fløe in this matchup, who have combined for 24 goals this season. They could exploit Dallas’ defensive formation, especially when they have players like Vivianne Bessette who can deliver absolute dimes over the top.

Still in the hunt: No. 5 Brooklyn FC and No. 6 Spokane Zephyr FC

This three-way tie really makes things unpredictable. While these two teams technically wouldn’t be in the playoffs if it started today, they still have a shot at playing in June, so here’s a look at what they need to do these last few weeks to move into that fourth and maybe third place spot.

To put it simply, Brooklyn needs to win out. And even with nine more points, it would need some other fortuitus results from around the league to beat out two other teams that have more matches left to play. Three wins is a tough ask for a team that has recorded the fewest points per game this spring (0.45). What’s more, its three remaining matches are against the two teams it’s tied with and No. 1 Carolina.

Spokane, on the other hand, has completely flipped its season around this spring. That’s given it a great chance to push above the playoff line. Zephyr still has Lexington and DC on the schedule, two teams they’ve already beaten this spring, along with Brooklyn and Fort Lauderdale. Taking down the two teams standing in their way of the postseason would be poetic for this Spokane team.