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Carolina’s Guion scores goal to remember, Brooklyn earns result in league debut | Week 4 Storylines

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Week 4 of the USL Super League season was a good one with all eight teams taking the field and 12 total goals making it into the back of the net. Here are some of the highlights from last weekend. 

GUION OLIMPICO

Carolina Ascent’s Renée Guion already put up a strong contender for September Goal of the Month with a beauty in Friday’s match. The defender stepped up to take the corner kick in the 26th minute and sent it to the back post, but instead of connecting with a teammate, it curled into the net for her first goal of the season. 

“I’d love to say it was [intentional],” Guion said. “We practice different types of set pieces all the time. To be able to curl it in like that was a great way to start off my scoring with this team.” 

BROOKLYN SCORES IN SEASON DEBUT

Brooklyn FC played its first match of the season at Spokane Zephyr on Sunday night and came away with a point after a hard-fought battle. Despite going down a goal in the first half, Brooklyn drew a foul inside the box in the 85th minute, and Jessica Garziano converted from the spot for the club’s first goal. 

5-GOAL THRILLER IN LEXINGTON HOME OPENER

Lexington Sporting Club Stadium saw a lot of action in its opening match as Tampa Bay Sun defeated the home side 3-2 on Sunday. Tampa jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Natalia Staude and Carlee Giammona. Madison Parsons got one back for Lexington before Ashley Clark put Tampa back ahead by two goals. Marykate McGuire scored the last goal of the match in the 83rd minute, beating the goalkeeper 1v1. 

DC RECORDS FIRST GOAL ON THE ROAD

Jorian Baucom not only gets to say she scored DC Power FC’s first goal in club history, but the forward also scored it on the road at the iconic Cotton Bowl Stadium. In Saturday’s 1-1 draw between DC and Dallas Trinity, Baucom intercepted a pass in Dallas’ defensive third, took a touch past the keeper and slotted it home. 

ALL FEMALE REF CREWS

The Super League continues to provide more and more opportunities for women in sports, proven last weekend when all 16 of the referees from Week 4 were female. 

All eight teams in action, Brooklyn debuts at Spokane | Week 4 Match Previews

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Carolina Ascent FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC 

Kickoff: Friday, September 6; 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy skies, 65°    

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Carolina Ascent is looking to remain atop the league standings, while No. 3 Fort Lauderdale will play its first match since its opening weekend 1-1 draw against Spokane Zephyr. 
  • Carolina Ascent defender Ashlynn Serepca will battle against Fort Lauderdale United’s Felicia Knox for the first time since the two were playing together for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2022.   

Players to Watch

CAR – Mia Corbin: The August Goal of the Month winner showed her precision and composure in Carolina’s last match when she blasted a shot from the top of the box to equalize and earn the team a point. She also created four chances while winning six duels during the match. 

FTL – Sh’Nia Gordon: West Virginia alum Sh’Nia Gordon was on fire in the teams opening match in Week 1. The midfielder recorded four shots and created three chances in her first start with the club and will be a key piece in the team’s attack this season. 

 Carolina Ascent FC Fort Lauderdale United FC 
Head Coach Philip Poole Tyrone Mears 
Club Record 1-0-1 0-0-1 
Standings 1st 3rd 

Dallas Trinity FC vs. DC Power FC

Venue: Cotton Bowl

Kickoff: Saturday, September 7; 8 p.m. ET

Weather: Clear skies, 64° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Dallas Trinity will host its league home opener at the historic Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl has a rich history in American soccer, hosting FIFA World Cup matches, CONCACAF Gold Cup matches and international friendlies, including last weekend’s friendly between Dallas Trinity and FC Barcelona.   
  • DC Power will be on the road for its third straight match as it looks to secure its first win and goal. 

Players to Watch

DAL – Chioma Ubogagu: The English international earned a spot on the August Team of the Month after her stellar performance in Dallas’ opening match against Tampa. Ubogagu has strength and speed on the left side and showed her ability to create opportunities and send great balls into the box. 

DC – Katrina Guillou: The midfielder is a strong asset on both sides of the ball for DC. In Power FC’s last match, Guillou had two tackles and one clearance on defense while also creating one chance and blasting off a shot that forced Tampa’s goalkeeper to make an incredible save. 

 Dallas Trinity FC DC Power FC 
Head Coach Chris Petrucelli (Acting HC) Frédéric Brillant 
Club Record 0-0-1 0-1-1 
Standings 5th7th 

Lexington SC v Tampa Bay Sun FC 

Venue: Lexington Sporting Club Stadium 

Kickoff: Sunday, September 8; 4 p.m. ET

Weather: Partly cloudy, 72° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Sunday’s match marks Lexington’s home opener in its new, state-of-the-art venue, Lexington Sporting Club Stadium. 
  • Tampa Bay Sun will be on the road for the first time after opening the season with two draws at home. 
  • Tampa’s goalkeeper Ashley Orkus was named Player of the Month for August after her incredible performances in the club’s first two matches. 

Players to Watch

LEX – Shea Moyer: The captain looked strong in Lexington’s opening match against Carolina, maintaining over 87% passing accuracy while winning six duels and four tackles. She can quickly win the ball in the midfield and get the team into a counterattack, which has proved to be a challenge for Tampa. 

TB – Riley Parker: The striker’s would-have-been first goal of the season was called offside in the Sun’s last match, but it’s only a matter of time before Parker gets on the scoresheet officially. She is tied for second in the league with four shots and will be one of the biggest problems for Lexington’s backline on Sunday. 

 Lexington SC Tampa Bay Sun FC 
Head Coach Mike Dickey Denise Schilte-Brown 
Club Record 0-0-1 0-0-2 
Standings 6th 2nd 

Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Brooklyn FC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium

Kickoff: Sunday, September 8; 9 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear skies, 64° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Brooklyn will make its Super League debut on Sunday against Lexington as the eighth and final club to take the field this season. 
  • Brooklyn’s Hope Breslin will go head-to-head with Spokane Zephyr defender Katie Murray after the two were key members of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini from 2017-2018. 

Players to Watch

SPK – Marley Canales: The former UCLA star held down the midfield for Spokane in its opening match. Canales won five duels, three tackles and recorded two interceptions while maintaining 85% passing accuracy. 

BKN – Sam Rosette: The Bronx native will be one to watch in Brooklyn FC’s first match of the season. The defender played in the Champions League in France after finishing her collegiate career at Villanova. In her two years as a Wildcat, Rosette played over 2,000 minutes and recorded six goals and three assists. 

 Spokane Zephyr Brooklyn FC 
Head Coach Jo Johnson Kristen Sample (Acting HC) 
Club Record 0-0-1 0-0-0 
Standings 4th N/A 

USL Super League opening weeks feature homecomings and professional debuts 

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For Vicky Bruce, scoring the game-winner in the USL Super League’s inaugural match was more than just a goal—it was the fulfillment of a long-held dream. After spending years playing professional soccer abroad, where she won championships in England and Denmark, the North Carolina native finally got the chance to play in front of her hometown crowd. The Carolina Ascent defender found the back of the net in front of 10,500 plus fans, many of whom were family and friends who had never seen her compete professionally in person. 

“I’ve played professionally overseas for over seven years, but it’s always been my dream to play at the highest level in the U.S.,” Bruce said after joining the club. “Now, not only do I get to realize that dream in the U.S., I get to do it right here in my hometown. I’m honored and grateful to sign with the Carolina Ascent FC and play for one of my favorite childhood coaches again.”   

Bruce’s story is one of many that illustrates the USL Super League’s commitment to providing more opportunities for women in professional soccer. As the league begins its historic inaugural season, 81 players – 49% of rostered players from the five played matches – made their first professional appearance in the United States.  

More than half of those debutants, like Bruce, had previously competed professionally overseas but jumped at the opportunity to play on home soil. The rest are recent college graduates or Academy players embarking on their pro careers.   

International talent is also getting to experience playing professionally in the U.S. DC Power goalkeeper Morgan Aquino made her first pro appearance in America after three years with her hometown club Perth Glory in Australia’s A-League. Finnish national team midfielder Jenny Danielsson shone in her debut with Dallas Trinity in Week 1. 

Players with former professional experience have the additional layer of helping the younger stars who are setting out in their pro careers. Eight members of Lexington’s starting lineup in its season opener had never previously played professionally, but they had Shea Moyer, Cori Sullivan and Bridgette Skiba to turn to for guidance. Three Tampa Bay Sun Academy players took the field in the club’s first two matches, led by veterans like Erika Tymrak and Brooke Hendrix. 

As the season continues, more professional debuts, and dreams like Vicky Bruce’s, will come true. 

Carolina Ascent remains at No. 1, Orkus comes up big for Tampa Bay Sun | Week 2 Storylines

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The USL Super League inaugural season continued last weekend with two more intense matches. Lexington SC made its debut at league leaders Carolina Ascent FC, while Tampa hosted another close contest, this one against DC Power FC.  

Let’s look at some of the biggest storylines that came out of Week 2: 

CAROLINA REMAINS NO. 1 IN LEAGUE STANDINGS

Carolina Ascent FC stays at the top of the table after earning a point from its 1-1 draw against Lexington SC. Despite going down a goal early in the second half, the team kept its composure and battled back to earn the equalizer in the 76th minute. Midfielder Jill Aguilera made a run down the left flank before sending the ball across to the top of the box toward Mia Corbin, who took a touch and blasted it into the back of the net. 

“I think it was a resilient performance in the end,” Head Coach Philip Poole said. “There [are] some things we need to work on, but it was really good to see our team have enough about them to come back and to work through some difficulties. All in all, it’s a good place to be on a Sunday evening at the top of the table. That’s the business we’re in.” 

ASHLEY ORKUS SECURES ANOTHER POINT FOR TAMPA

Tampa Bay Sun goalkeeper Ashley Orkus followed up her impressive Week 1 performance with another incredible showing on Saturday against DC Power FC. The Ole Miss alum recorded seven saves on the night, including saving a penalty kick in the 89th minute, to earn a shutout and another point for the team. 

SYDNEY SHEPHERD SCORES FIRST GOAL FOR LEXINGTON

Four days after defender Sydney Shepherd was announced as Lexington SC’s newest roster addition, she made history for the club in its season opener. Madison Perez sent in a corner in the 48th minute, and Shepherd headed the ball into the bottom right netting of the goal to give Lexington the 1-0 lead. 

DALLAS TRINITY SET TO HOST FC BARCELONA

Dallas Trinity FC is less than a week away from hosting one of the most successful women’s soccer teams in the world, FC Barcelona. As part of Barcelona’s USA Tour, the two sides will play in a friendly on Friday, August 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. Tickets to the match can be purchased here.

Tampa Bay hosts DC Power, Lexington debuts at Carolina | Week 2 Match Previews

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Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. DC Power FC 

Venue: Riverfront Stadium; Tampa, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, August 25; 7 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly cloudy skies, 76° 

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Saturday’s match is the second of the season for both teams. Tampa Bay Sun earned a point last week after drawing 1-1 with Dallas Trinity FC. Power FC fell 1-0 to Carolina Ascent in Week 1’s inaugural match. 
  • Tampa Bay’s Brooke Hendrix and DC Power’s Charlie Estcourt both played for Reading FC in the Women’s Championship in England during the 2023/24 season. 

Players to Watch

TB – Ashley Orkus: The former Ole Miss goalkeeper was incredible in between the posts for Tampa Bay in Week 1 and made six saves on the night to keep her team in the match. Tampa will need another strong performance from her this week to combat the offensive threats on DC’s front line. 

DC – Jorian Baucom: DC Power will be extremely dangerous once it finds that connection in the final third, especially with players like Jorian Baucom up top. The striker is coming off a season with Scottish side Hibernian where she scored 29 goals. It’s just a matter of time before she gets on the score sheet with Power FC. 

 Tampa Bay Sun FC DC Power FC 
Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown Frédéric Brillant 
Club Record (W-L-T)0-0-1 0-1-0 
Standings 3rd 8th 

Carolina Ascent FC vs. Lexington SC 

Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC 

Kickoff: Sunday, August 26; 2:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Sunny, 88°   

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Lexington SC will officially kick off its season when the club visits current standings leaders Carolina Ascent FC. 
  • Carolina Ascent recorded the first goal, win and clean sheet in USL Super League history when it earned a 1-0 victory at home last week against DC Power FC. 
  • 17 USL W League alums will be available for selection for Sunday’s match. Carolina carries ten former W League players and Lexington has seven, many of which come from the clubs’ own W League team.  

Players to Watch

CAR – Audrey Harding: Aside from assisting the league’s first goal, Audrey Harding was also all over the field for Carolina last week. She led the team in chances created and duels won along with recording shot on target and two interceptions. 

LEX – Cori Sullivan: Cori Sullivan is one of Lexington’s most experienced players, having suited up for top professional clubs in Scotland and Mexico. She helped Glasgow City to a third-place finish and was the 2023 SWPL Sky Cup top scorer with 11 goals. The forward spent her college career at two Pac-12 schools with the Arizona State Sun Devils and Washington Huskies. 

 Carolina Ascent FC Lexington SC 
Head Coach Philip Poole Mike Dickey 
Club Record (W-L-T) 1-0-0 0-0-0 
Standings 1st N/A 

Sellouts, historic goals, and professional debuts | Week 1 Storylines

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If you were anywhere but locked into the USL Super League inaugural matches this past weekend, you missed out. From start to finish, the Inaugural Weekend was full of action and excitement to kick off the season. 

Here are the top storylines from the opening weekend: 

ALL THREE OPENERS SOLD OUT

If there were any concerns that people would not be interested in watching more professional women’s soccer in the U.S., last weekend put that doubt to rest. All three home openers sold out their stadiums, including the first match in Charlotte that hosted 10,553, setting a record for the single-game pro women’s soccer attendance in the Carolinas. 

BRUCE SCORES FIRST LEAGUE GOAL

There will be a lot of League firsts this season, and Carolina Ascent earned the first goal and win on Saturday. After earning a free kick in the 27th minute, defender and North Carolina native Vicky Bruce made a run into the box and tapped the ball past the goalkeeper to score what would be the game-winner. 

“It was absolutely unbelievable,” Bruce said. “I was just happy to be here, and I just wanted us to win as a team and get the result for the fans and then to be able to do that at my home turf – the feeling is unmatched. I hope I can continue to help do that, and credit to the girls that assisted me. It was a great ball, great positioning, we all just worked together the whole game. There’s nothing more I could have asked for.” 

EKIC’S CHEEKY MOVE LEADS TO SPOKANE’S FIRST GOAL

Spokane Zephyr was the second home side to get on the scoreboard thanks to midfielder Emina Ekić. The Bosnian international made a run out to the corner flag before turning and nutmegging her defender as she continued into the box. Ekić drew the contact, resulting in a penalty in the 16th minute. She stepped up to the spot, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for the 1-0 lead. 

“I was hyped,” Ekić said following the match. “It was a great team build-up, and that just represents what we embody as a team. We are one, and I think everybody is behind that.” 

TWO CENTER BACKS NETTED GOALS IN TAMPA

Most spectators at Sunday’s match were looking out for the experienced forwards on both sides to find the back of the net, but it was two defenders who contributed to the split points. Just before halftime, Dallas Trinity earned a corner and connected a few passes before sending a cross into the box. Center back Hannah Davison headed the ball to redirect it past the keeper to momentarily put the visitors on top. 

However, Tampa Bay Sun wasn’t going down easily and even the score in the 70th minute. In similar fashion to Dallas, Tampa earned a corner and sent the ball towards the far post, connecting with a center back. Brooke Hendrix rose above her defender and headed down the ball to score Tampa Bay’s first club goal. 

MEMORABLE ENTRANCES KICKED OFF EACH MATCH

These Super League clubs definitely know how to put on a show. Carolina Ascent’s home opener included parachuters bringing down the inaugural match ball, and then the club capped off its first victory with a fireworks display.  

Spokane’s 509 Syndicate Supporters Group led fans on a march up to the stadium, and over 400 girls’ youth players joined Club President Katie Harnetiaux on the field before the match to celebrate Women’s Soccer Day.  

Tampa Bay Sun players arrived in style by pulling up to Riverfront Stadium in a water taxi, and the Heat Wave supporter section kept the crowd hyped up the entire match. 

PLAYERS MAKE THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEBUTS

The foundation of the Super League is to provide more opportunities for women in soccer, including playing professionally in the U.S. During the inaugural weekend, all six clubs had at least one player make their professional soccer debuts. 

Some of the players include collegiate standouts like Dallas Trinity’s Gracie Brian, a midfielder who shined with the TCU Horned Frogs, and former Stanford star Katie Duong, who played all 90 minutes for DC Power. Carolina Ascent had three first-timers, including 17-year-old B Hylton. 

Drama, sold-out crowds & all the vibes: A history-making Inaugural Weekend

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Vicky Bruce and Carolina Ascent FC teammates celebrate a goal.

A new chapter in women’s soccer history in the United States began in style this weekend as the USL Super League kicked off its inaugural season.

Statisticians will look back at the Super League’s Inaugural Weekend and point to the first starting lineups, the first goalscorers, and the first final results.

But stats don’t tell the story of the moment. 

Sold-out crowds for all three Inaugural Weekend matches, in Charlotte, Spokane, and Tampa, showcased the excitement the women’s soccer community has for more professional women’s soccer in our country. The fans packed the stands to watch top-flight action in their hometown and to be part of another evolution in women’s sports history.

Carolina Ascent FC 1, DC Power FC 0
The historic first match in USL Super League history was the place to be in Charlotte. A sold-out crowd of 10,553 was treated to a season-opening victory.

North Carolina native Vicky Bruce scored the game’s only goal, in the 27th minute. She pounced on a loose ball in the box after a long freekick from the right side, pushing it away from Power FC goalkeeper Morgan Aquino and slotting it home for the score. 

The goal sent the home crowd — the largest ever to witness a pro women’s soccer match in the Carolinas — into a frenzied celebration.

DC Power pressed throughout the second half, but the Ascent defense held its ground. When goalkeeper Meagan McClelland made a clutch save in stoppage time, the result was all but confirmed.

The victory certainly thrilled the home fans, but the night was about more than the points. The fans — and the entire community — were clearly excited to be part of a historic moment, to have the chance to say “I was there when the USL Super League began.” They cheered every good play, gasped at every near miss, and stayed long after the final whistle to meet and get selfies with the players.

This was a moment to remember for everyone.

Spokane Zephyr FC 1, Fort Lauderdale United FC 1
Sharing the points on opening night did nothing to dampen the thrill of the either club’s first match in history.

A sold-out crowd at ONE Spokane Stadium were treated to a back-and-forth clash with each side scoring on either side of the halftime break.

Zephyr FC broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when striker Emina Ekic rifled home a penalty. Ekic had created the opportunity after nutmegging FTLUTD defender Sheyenne Allen before being taken down in the box.

Spokane seemed capable of scoring another goal in the second half, but Fort Lauderdale pressed back again and again. The visiting Floridians outshot their hosts 11-6 on the night.

In the 72nd minute, FLTUTD broke through when Addie McCain fired home the equalizer. Both sides had a few late chances but settled for a share of the points on the night.

Tampa Bay Sun FC 1, Dallas Trinity FC 1
Despite humid conditions and temperatures in the 90s at kickoff, the Inaugural Weekend’s closing match provided plenty of energy and action and a thrilling memorable night for the sold-out crowd at Riverfront Stadium.

Dallas dominated most of the match, outshooting Tampa 14-6, and probably deserved three points. They unleashed multiple attacks early on but were thwarted repeatedly by Sun goalkeeper Ashley Orkus.

They finally broke through in first-half stoppage time. Defender Hannah Davison scored off a pinpoint cross from English winger Chioma Ubogagu.

But despite a few more chances and a clear advantage in midfield, Trinity FC could not hold the lead. Off a 70th-minute corner kick, Ashley Clark‘s cross was headed home by Brooke Hendrix, sending the home supporters into wild celebrations.