TAMPA BAY, Fla. – In the inaugural USL Super League Final, No. 4 Fort Lauderdale United FC fell against No. 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC, 0-1, in a thrilling, physical match that extended into extra time on the road. Despite the narrow defeat, Fort Lauderdale demonstrated the heart and tenacity that defined their inaugural season throughout the Final’s full 120 minutes.
Fort Lauderdale caps its historic debut season with a 12-9-9 record across 30 matches, highlighted by a stunning Semifinal upset over top-seeded Carolina Ascent FC. Over the course of the season, the club scored 37 goals, earned two Player of the Month honors, 17 Team of the Month selections and two Coach of the Month awards. Three players were also recognized on the inaugural All-League Teams, cementing Fort Lauderdale United’s place among the league’s elite in its first campaign.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmUAMtvteCg
The game got off to a quick start, with both teams creating clear chances in the opening three minutes, but neither was able to convert. Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Cosette Morché was called on early, making a pair of strong saves in the 6th minute to keep the match level at 0-0.
The Fort Lauderdale attack played with a heavy emphasis on building the attack from behind, highlighted by a 10th minute highlight pass from Cameron Brooks to Julia Grosso down the right side, sparking a promising chance. On the other end, Cosette Morché continued her strong form, making key saves in the 15th and 17th minutes to keep the match scoreless.
Brooks and Sabrina McNeill each came up with key defensive stops in the 19th minute, holding off a physical Tampa attack. Sh’nia Gordon brought an explosive presence early, nearly opening the scoring with a curling shot toward the top corner in the 20th minute that was saved by the Tampa keeper. McNeill, pushing forward from her left back position, continued to be a threat down the wing, making a pair of driving runs that kept the Tampa defense on edge.
Gordon continued to push the attack as the first half progressed, notching shots in the 36th and 42nd minutes following impressive solo dribbling runs. In first-half stoppage time, she executed a brilliant cutback that sent a Tampa defender to the ground, but her shot narrowly missed the target. Just moments later, in the third minute of added time, Morché came off her line with pace to clear a loose ball at the edge of the box, helping FTL UTD head into the halftime break level at 0-0 with Tampa Bay.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw both teams trading chances and engaging in physical play, with each side testing the goalkeeper. In the 68th minute, Morché came up big again, making a crucial save to deny a strong effort from Tampa and preserve the 0-0 scoreline. The first reinforcements entered the match for FTL UTD in the 76th and 82nd minutes, respectively, with Anele Komani and Jorian Baucom coming onto the pitch for Taylor Smith and Jasmine Hamid.
Both clubs continued pressing for a winner as the second half wound down, highlighted by a sharp individual effort from Gordon whose shot drifted just wide of the left post. After four minutes of stoppage time, neither side was able to find the breakthrough, sending the match into extra time locked at 0-0.
Morché stayed sharp in extra time, notching her fifth save of the match in the 98th minute. Just a minute later, Thelma Hermannsdóttir came on for Julia Grosso to provide fresh legs on the field. Tampa Bay took the lead in the 100th minute, scoring just before the end of the first half of extra time. In the halftime break, Head Coach Tyrone Mears made his final substitutions, looking to shift tactics and spark a late equalizer.
Before kick-off of the second half of extra time, Tati Fung and Celia Gaynor entered the match for Darya Rajaee and Thelma Hermannsdóttir. In the 117th minute, Addie McCain nearly brought FTL UTD level after a perfect ball from McNeill, but her volleying shot bounced just wide of the post. The shot would prove to be the club’s final chance of the night, and after 120 minutes, Fort Lauderdale United FC fell 1-0 to Tampa Bay Sun FC in the inaugural USL Super League Final.
Scoring Summary
TB: Fløe, ‘100
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