FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is set to host 2023 NWSL Champions NJ/NY Gotham FC on Wednesday evening in a ground-breaking, historic friendly matchup at Beyond Bancard Field at NSU. The trailblazing match, set to kick-off at 7:00 P.M. EST, will be the first time that the USL Super League and National Women’s Soccer League officially meet on the pitch. Get your tickets to witness history TODAY!
“We couldn’t be more excited to host the 2023 NWSL Champions. This is a significant step in growing the presence of women’s soccer and sports in South Florida,” said FTL UTD Founder and CEO Tommy Smith. “We hope this marks the beginning of a long-lasting partnership between the USL Super League and the NWSL for years to come.”
Fort Lauderdale United is on fire as of late, winning four of its last five matches, including 3 straight matches at home. Led by USLSL leading scorer Addie McCain (9), FTL UTD currently sits in 4th place (7-5-3, 24 PTS) and is tied for the league-lead in goals as a club with 21. The dynamic wing duo of Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon partnered with the tenacious Kiara Locklear makes FTL UTD one of, if not, the most dangerous attacks in the league. The center back trio of Laveni Vaka, Laurel Ansbrow and Celia Gaynor come together to form a back-line that has allowed the third-least goals in the USLSL.
Just a year removed from becoming the 2023 NWSL Champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC is coming off a season where it finished third in the league standings (17-5-4, 56 PTS) before falling in the semifinals of the playoffs on penalty kicks to the Washington Spirit. The New Jersey-based team features marquee names from top to bottom, such as USWNT members Rose Lavelle, Midge Purce, Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett, as well as 2023 World Cup Champion Esther Gonzalez (Spain) and 2022 European Champion Jess Carter (England). With a matchup against one of the top teams in the NWSL, a challenge awaits for the surging Fort Lauderdale United FC squad as it pursues a title in its first season.
“This is a historic game for our club, and we’re proud to share it with our fans,” said FTL UTD Head Coach Tyrone Mears. “Facing a strong NWSL opponent is a great opportunity for our team to learn, compete, and take another step forward.”
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 Wednesday Feb. 26 with former NWSL champions NJ/NY Gotham FC making its way down to South Florida. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST at Beyond Bancard Field at NSU.