FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Ahead of its matchup with Spokane Zephyr FC (2-4-6, 12 PTS) on Saturday evening, Fort Lauderdale United FC (4-5-2, 14 PTS) manager Tyrone Mears has listed his starting XI. For the first time in _ matches, Mears has opted to keep the same starting lineup as the previous match. This lineup sparked FTL UTD out of a six-match winless streak last weekend against Dallas Trinity FC, and will look to continue its good run of play before the break arrives.
Sunday’s duel is the second meeting of the season for the two teams, as the two met in Spokane on August 17. A goal from USL Super League leading-scorer Addie McCain helped the club earn a point in a 1-1 draw in the inaugural match in club history. The club has two more matches on deck before the break arrives, and will be looking to finish strong and add points to its total.
One of the many heroes from last week, goalkeeper Makenna Gottschalk retains her starting spot in the net. The ever-reliable duo of Celia Gaynor and Laveni Vaka make up the center back partnership, and will look to continue their run of dominance. The electric Sabrina McNeill is in at left back, and the consistent Adrienne Jordan will make her second consecutive start at right back after missing over a month. Taylor Smith, Felicia Knox and Tati Fung form a well-rounded, dynamic midfield trio and will look to control the game. The dangerous duo of Jasmine Hamid (left) and Sh’Nia Gordon (right) start once again on the outsides, and should control the pace of the game. Addie McCain is the lone striker up top, and looks to add to her league-leading goal tally on Saturday night.
After making the change to the 4-3-3 shape for the last match, Mears has decided to continue forward with the same tactics. In the win against Dallas, the FTL UTD attack was dominant from start to finish. Hamid and Gordon routinely got behind the Dallas defense and created numerous chances. USL Super League leading-scorer McCain was impressive in her return back to forward, scoring a late-winner after a perfect pass from Hamid. The midfield trio of Smith, Knox and Fung controlled the game and allowed the club to retain possession at a high rate. Opting to return to the 4-3-3 should help the club further solidify its identity and spark a hot-streak before the break.
FTL UTD XI: GK Gottschalk, DF McNeill, DF Vaka, DF Gaynor, DF Jordan, MF Smith, MF Knox, MF Fung, FW Hamid, FW Gordon, FW McCain
SUBS: GK Morche, DF Allen, DF Lindahl, MF Rajaee, FW Hermannsdōttir, FW Henderson, FW Pralle