FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Eyeing a playoff push in the second half of the inaugural USL Super League season, Fort Lauderdale United FC has announced a trio of spring signings. Forward Jorian Baucom, as well as defenders Laurel Ansbrow and Julia Grosso, have made their way down to South Florida to bolster the roster as the second half of the season gets underway.
“We are excited to welcome Baucom, Grosso, and Ansbrow to our team and expect them to make an immediate impact as we head into the latter half of the season and the playoff push,” said associate head coach Alissa Rogers. “Their additions provide valuable depth to an already well-established squad and we look forward to integrating them into the team and seeing their contributions as we continue our push to the top of the table.”
After a skid that saw the club lose four out of five matches in the fall, FTL UTD caught fire and won three straight matches before heading into the break. With momentum on the club’s side, the new additions will look to assist the playoff push for the 5th-seeded Fort Lauderdale United FC team as it aims to continue its strong run of play.
Forward – Jorian Baucom
Acquired in a second-half trade with DC Power FC, forward Baucom will look to be a key part of the FTL UTD attack down the stretch. A complete striker, Baucom has a rare blend of size, speed, physicality and skill matched with a dominant nose for the goal. The 5’9” attacker immediately slots in as the tallest forward on the squad, and adds a new aerial threat to the No. 9 position.
“Baucom brings extensive experience as a forward, with a combination of athleticism, speed, and strength that, along with her goal-scoring ability, will be a great asset in our attacking play,” said Rogers.
Baucom played for Hibernian in the Scottish Women’s Premier League last season, racking up 25 goals in 32 matches. The dominant forward was the runner-up in the SWPL Golden Boot and was named to the Best XI Team of the Year, capping off her career-best season.
Additionally, Baucom also has experience in the NWSL (2019), as well as overseas with AC Sparta Prague (Czech Republic, 2020) and MSV Duisburg (Germany, 2021). Collegiately, the Scottsdale native played three seasons at Louisiana State University and played her final season at Colorado, where she recorded 12 goals as a Buffalo. Baucom will look to form a dynamic forward duo with Kiara Pralle in the playoff push.
Defender – Laurel Ansbrow
Fresh off an NCAA National Championship appearance with Wake Forest, Ansbrow makes her way down to Fort Lauderdale for the second-half of the season. Ansbrow is a prototypical center back that has a knack for playing perfect long balls and will also join the attack when the opportunity presents itself. The defender will join the center back position group headlined by the dominant duo of Celia Gaynor and Laveni Vaka.
“Ansbrow joins us fresh off captaining her team in the NCAA National Championship game, and we anticipate her leadership qualities will strengthen our defensive unit,” said Rogers. “She is a tough defender to beat and possesses great vision in transitioning into the attack.”
Ansbrow was a mainstay for Wake Forest during her time as a Demon Deacon, starting 61 games from 2022-2024. The reliable, durable defender also won the Elite 90 award, which is given to the athlete who has reached the top of competition in their sport whilst maintaining the top academic standing.
The 5’11” defender spearheaded a dominant Wake Forest back-line that gave up the least amount of goals in a season in team history en route to a trip to the National Championship. In addition to four years in the ACC, Ansbrow has experience in the USL W League dating back to 2022 and 2023, where she made an impact and was a First Team member on the USL W-League Team of the Year for the North Carolina Courage in 2023.
Defender – Julia Grosso
Coming over from Australia, the versatile Grosso is making her way back to the United States after 3 prolific seasons abroad. Standing at 5’5”, Grosso is as dynamic of a player as they come at the left back position. The Kentucky product is a dominant force on the left side, possessing a rare combination of creativity, versatility and quickness. The South Florida native’s ability to take on defenders with her dribbling prowess paired with her elite, insightful through-ball passing makes her as electric as any player in the league.
“Grosso’s defensive presence and ability to contribute offensively align well with our system, making her a key addition to our backline,” said Rogers.
Grosso earned “Player of the Year” honors for Melbourne City in 2022-23, and was an integral part in City winning the 2023-24 Premiership title. Initially a winger for Melbourne, Grosso showed her versatility and became a wing-back for the club’s title push. The tenacious Grosso picked up the position change on a whim and ran with it, showing intensity and passion in every tackle.
Before her professional career in Australia, Grosso was a mainstay in the lineup over a five-year span for the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference. Grosso showed her positional versatility at the college level, as she started games as a forward, midfielder and defender in her collegiate career.
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 and available for local viewing on FanDuel Sports Network.
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.