McCain’s hat-trick powers FTL UTD over Lexington SC, 3-1
LEXINGTON, KY. – Fort Lauderdale United FC won its second consecutive match on Sunday evening, defeating Lexington SC 3-1 on the road. The club was led by a hat-trick performance from forward Addie McCain, who leads the USL Super League with 5 goals in three matches.
In the road win, Fort Lauderdale’s attack was strong and filled with pace from McCain, Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon. Midfielder Felicia Knox continued to be creative on the ball, routinely placing passes behind the opposition defense, and defender Cameron Brooks made another positive impact with her left footed crosses into the 18-yard box in the 3-1 win.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/WxCSXEwJOw8
Fort Lauderdale’s defense was tested early, with Lexington taking four close shots in the first five minutes. Goalkeeper Corsette Morsche kept the game at 0-0 after making a tough save on a hard shot that deflected off the crossbar in the 14th minute.
United jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute after Brooks hit a left footed cross into the box that landed at the feet of Gordon. The right wing made a move, played the ball into the middle for McCain, who then used her right foot to put the ball past the Lexington keeper and into the back of the net.
Fort Lauderdale’s attack gained momentum and took over for the remainder of the first half. Knox orchestrated the attack and routinely placed through ball passes onto the feet of the FTL attackers. Hamid almost extended the lead in the 27th minute, but nearly missed. Gordon put a pair of great shots on target in the 31st and 43rd minutes, respectively, but both were saved, keeping the scoreline at 1-0 at the halftime whistle.
FTL UTD opened the second half on the same note, with Brooks placing a great cross into the box for Hamid, who’s header was saved by the Lexington keeper. Fort Lauderdale made a pair of subs in the 54th minute, with forward Nia Christopher and midfielder Taylor Smith entering the game for Hamid and Knox.
Christopher made an instant impact after entering the game. The forward played a pass to McCain on the right side of the box, who took a touch and fired a right footed shot into the bottom left corner, extending FTL’s lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute.
Lexington responded quickly, scoring a goal from a set piece in the 59th minute. Coach Tyrone Mears made his third change of the second half, putting forward Gianna Gourley on the field for Gordon in the 75th minute.
In the 89th minute, McCain played a backheel through ball past the Lexington defense for midfielder Anele Komani, who sprinted from the touchline to the edge of the box to receive the pass. Komani turned the corner with her eyes on the goal but was fouled, drawing a penalty for Fort Lauderdale. McCain stepped up to the spot and stayed calm, cool and collected in front of the opposing fans and completed her hat-trick with an impressive shot to the bottom right corner.
FTL made another pair of changes in stoppage time, with midfielder Anna Henderson and defender Reese Klein subbing in for Darya Rajee and the goalscorer McCain. The FTL UTD defense stayed strong as the game neared the end, defending 4 shots in stoppage time to help secure a 3-1 win over Lexington SC, its second win in club history.
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the pitch on Sunday, Sep. 29 for its long-awaited home opener against Dallas Trinity FC. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST and the match will be streamed on Peacock.
Tickets
Season ticket packages for all 14 home matches, as well as single-game tickets can be purchased here. FTL UTD’s historic home opener is set for Sunday, Sep. 29 when it takes on Dallas Trinity FC. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Scoring Summary:
FTL: McCain, 22
FTL: McCain, 57
FTL: McCain, 90