TAMPA BAY, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (6-5-3, 21 PTS) drew its matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC (5-4-5, 20 PTS) in the famous Florida Derby on Saturday evening, 2-2. Impressive goals from forwards Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon thrusted FTL UTD to a 2-0 lead but a pair of second-half penalty kicks from Tampa secured a draw for the match. With the draw, Fort Lauderdale United has now earned points in four-straight matches (3W, 1D) after losing four of its last five previous matches, and the club will look to extend its points streak in the following weeks.
Fort Lauderdale will return home for its second-half home opener on February 22, with the club set to take on Lexington SC at Beyond Bancard Field. This meeting will mark the third time that the clubs have met this season, as FTL UTD won the initial matchup 3-1 on September 22 and Lexington SC took the second match, 2-1, in a heartbreaking loss on October 19.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8jBOAMX930
The game got off to a physical start with both defenses being tested early, but each back-line showed resilience and refused to allow any breakthroughs. Tampa nearly took the lead in the 4th minute, but midfielder Taylor Smith blocked an open-net shot from Tampa to keep the game tied at 0-0. In the 23rd minute, FTL UTD goalkeeper Cosette Morche made an incredible sliding save after a Tampa free kick put the ball into the box at the foot of an attacking player.
The Fort Lauderdale United attack came to life as the first half wound down, with Gordon and Hamid each nearly scoring in the 36th and 39th minutes, respectively. Counter-attacking became a clear emphasis of Coach Tyrone Mears, and Hamid had a shot saved in the 42nd minute after a clinical pass from defender Sabrina McNeill. Despite an array of effective counter-attacks before the halftime whistle, the two teams went into the break tied at 0-0.
The second half began, and the FTL UTD attack picked up right where it left off before the break. Gordon nearly broke the tie after an insightful pass from Hamid, but the shot just nearly missed the left side of the net.
Fort Lauderdale jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute after debutant Laurel Ansbrow played a perfect long-ball down the left side for Hamid. The dynamic forward took on the Tampa defender, cut inside the box and fired a shot into the top right corner to give FTL UTD a 1-0 advantage just under 10 minutes into the second half. The goal is the fifth of the season for the reigning USL Super League Player of the Month.
The lead was doubled just five minutes later in the 59th minute on a perfect counter attack from the Fort Lauderdale squad. After a change of possession, Hamid took the ball down the left wing and passed to Addie McCain. The league’s leading goal scorer showed her creativity and played a through-ball into the box for Gordon, who showed poise after taking one touch and sent the rocketing ball into the top right corner for her first goal of the season.
Tampa continued to put pressure on the Fort Lauderdale defense, but Morche made a pair of impressive saves in the 66th and 68th minutes, respectively, to preserve the 2-0 lead. A Tampa attacker got fouled by defender Delaney Lindahl inside the box in the 71st minute, earning a penalty kick for Tampa Bay Sun. The Tampa attacker sent her shot down the middle and sent Morche to the left, lowering the FTL UTD advantage to 2-1 with just under 20 minutes remaining in the match.
New acquisition forward Jorian Baucom made her debut in the 72nd minute, subbing in for the goal-scorer Hamid. Another reinforcement made their way onto the pitch in the 83rd minute, with defender Cameron Brooks entering the game for Lindahl. As time wound down, the Fort Lauderdale defense was effective in protecting the lead, headlined by a 90th minute blocked shot. Shortly after, the fourth official indicated a minimum of eight additional minutes of stoppage time.
In the 92nd minute, more substitutes entered the match for FTL as midfielder Felicia Knox and defender Sheyenne Allen checked in for Darya Rajaee and the goal-scorer Gordon. Tampa earned another penalty kick in the 94th minute after Knox fouled a Tampa attacker inside the box after a through-ball pass. Morche guessed the correct side, but the shot proved too fast and hit the back of the net and tied the game 2-2 in stoppage time.
Despite the match being tied, FTL stayed on the attack and earned a corner kick in the 100th minute. The ball was played into the box, fell to the feet of McNeill, who then played a perfect ball for McCain. The league’s leading goal-scorer was able to get her head on the ball and flick it towards the back post, but an incredible save from the Tampa goalkeeper secured a 2-2 draw for the second Florida Derby meeting.
Back in Action
Eyeing its fourth win in five matches, Fort Lauderdale United FC will return to the pitch on Saturday, Feb. 22 for a home matchup with seventh-seeded Lexington SC. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST and the match will be streamed on Peacock.
Tickets
Season ticket packages for all home matches, as well as single-game tickets can be purchased here. FTL UTD’s next home match is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22 for the third matchup of the season with Lexington SC. The teams split its first two matchups of the season, with FTL winning the first meeting 3-1 on the road, and Lexington stealing a victory after a late goal at Beyond Bancard field in October. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Scoring Summary
FTL: Hamid, 54
FTL: Gordon, 59
TB: Giammona, 71 (PK)
TB: Floe, 90+5 (PK)