FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is set to embark on a cross-country trip for a season-defining clash against Spokane Zephyr FC on Saturday evening. The two clubs, who opened the inaugural USL Super League campaign together back in August, now meet once again with everything on the line in the final match of the regular season. Fort Lauderdale holds the edge in the season series with a win and two draws, but with both teams deadlocked at 41 points – and Dallas Trinity FC just one point behind – the stakes couldn’t be higher for Saturday’s 9:00 p.m. showdown in Spokane.
With its destiny in its own hands, Fort Lauderdale United FC enters the weekend knowing a playoff berth is within reach. The club can clinch a postseason spot through several scenarios, but a win over Spokane Zephyr FC would guarantee their place in the USL Super League Playoffs with no scoreboard watching required.
Playoff Clinching Scenarios
FTL UTD will clinch the 3rd seed & a Playoff berth against Tampa Bay Sun FC with:
- FTL Win
- or
- FTL Draw + DAL Draw
- or
- FTL Draw + DAL Loss
FTL UTD will clinch the 4th seed & a Playoff berth against Carolina Ascent FC with:
- FTL Draw + DAL Win
- or
- FTL Loss + DAL Draw
- or
- FTL Loss + DAL Loss
FTL UTD will be eliminated from Playoff contention with:
- FTL Loss + DAL Win
Match Preview
Fort Lauderdale United enters Saturday’s matchup on a three-match point streak (2 wins, 1 draw), gaining momentum at a crucial point in the season. After enduring a six-match winless run, the club has turned things around with back-to-back road results and a resilient home victory against Dallas. The attack is led by the potential Player of the Year in Addie McCain (10G, 2A), along with the dynamic trio of Jasmine Hamid (9G, 2A), Kiara Locklear (5G, 4A), and Sh’nia Gordon (4G, 3A), all capable of unlocking defenses in an instant. On the other end, goalkeeper Cosette Morché notched her seventh clean sheet of the season in the last outing and recently earned a spot on the Team of the Month. Defender Laurel Ansbrow has anchored a back line that’s battled injuries throughout the campaign, bringing consistency and composure when it mattered most down the stretch. With everything on the line in the final match of the regular season, Fort Lauderdale faces an in-form opponent, but one it’s fully capable of overcoming.
Heading into Saturday’s crucial match, Spokane faces an interesting challenge – it hasn’t played since May 13, a whopping 18 days since its last match. Despite the break, Spokane has been one of the hottest teams in the league since the start of the second half of the season, earning 29 points in its 13 matches (9W, 2D, 2L) with just two losses – both to top-seeded Carolina Ascent FC. The club is led by the dynamic attacking threat of Emina Ekic (10G, 6A), another POTY candidiate, as well as the reigning Player of the Month McKenzie Weinert and April TOTM selection defender Sydney Cummings. With both clubs tied in points with 41, Saturday’s match will be crucial for both sides, and Spokane will have a difficult task ahead of itself with the dynamic FTL UTD squad.
Matchup History
The clubs kicked off their series and seasons on August 17 in Spokane, marking the inaugural match in club history for both sides. McCain made history by scoring the first goal for Fort Lauderdale United, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
In their second meeting on December 7, McCain and Sheyenne Allen each found the back of the net, lifting FTL UTD to a 2-1 victory at Beyond Bancard Field.
The most recent clash came on March 22 in Fort Lauderdale, once again at Beyond Bancard Field. In a physical contest, neither side managed to break through, ending in a scoreless draw.
Where to Watch
The match is set to kick-off at 9:00 p.m. ET and it will be streamed on the Peacock app. The direct link to watch the match can be found here.
Tickets
The 2024/25 regular season home schedule may be over, but don’t miss your chance to get ahead – register now to secure your spot for 2025/26 season tickets HERE! Stay tuned and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things FTL UTD on Instagram, X(Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook.
