DOTHAN, Ala. (July 18, 2026) – Fort Lauderdale United FC’s USL League Two Men’s squad continued its 2026 USL League Two Playoff campaign on Saturday evening, dominating Brave SC with a 3-0 victory in another match in Dothan, Alabama. Owen Barnett opened the scoring, while a brace from Michael Appiah put the exclamation points on a successful start to the playoffs. With the victory, Fort Lauderdale has now won eight of its last nine matches and outscored its opponents 7-0 in two Playoff games, and the club will look to bring that momentum to Texas when it takes on Laredo Heat SC in the Southern Conference Final.
Fort Lauderdale was in control from the opening whistle, controlling possession and creating chances with ease. The club took a first-half lead after right back Joackim Betina made an effort play down the right side, sending a cross into the middle of the box. Barnett rose up, firing a header into the back of the net in the 38th minute, sending Fort Lauderdale into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage.
The lead was doubled in the early stages of the second half after left back Matthew Gordon sent in a perfect cross to the back post for Appiah, who took a touch and fired a right-footed shot into the near post to extend the lead in the 48th minute. The game was put out of reach in the 55th minute after Santi Possu made an incredible solo run down the left side, putting a low cross into the box that was deflected out by the keeper. The ball fell at the foot of Appiah, who’s one-touch rocket hit the back of the back net in the 55th minute, securing his brace across a 7-minute span. Goalkeeper Nigel Van Haveren continued his dominance, earning his second consecutive clean sheet as Fort Lauderdale defeated Brave SC 3-0, advancing to the Southern Conference Final.
Back In Action
Our Fort Lauderdale United FC USL League Two team will return to the pitch in the Southern Conference Final, taking on Laredo Heat SC on July 24 in Laredo, Texas. Kick-off is set for 9:30 p.m., and can be watched HERE.
