FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (7-5-3, 24 PTS) is set to travel to the Tar Heel State to take on Carolina Ascent FC (6-7-3, 25 PTS) on Sunday afternoon, eyeing its fifth win in its last six matches. The match will be the third time that the clubs have met this season, each earning a victory on its home field in the first half of the schedule. With kick-off set for 3:00 p.m. EST, Fort Lauderdale is committed to continuing its five-match unbeaten streak (4W, 1D) with a strong result against Carolina.
Coming off of the historic friendly matchup with Gotham FC, the surging FTL UTD club has won four of its last five matches, including a 2-0 win over Carolina to end the first half of the season (12/14). Addie McCain (9) added to her league-leading goal tally in the last match against Lexington, and reigning Player of the Month Jasmine Hamid has continued to dominate down the left wing. Kiara Locklear has been electric in the forward spot, racking up a pair of goals and assists in her last three matches. New additions Julia Grosso and Laurel Ansbrow have brought fresh energy to a Fort Lauderdale back-line that’s allowed just four goals during the unbeaten streak, and the defensive duo will look to help continue its strong run of play against Carolina.
The second-placed Carolina squad is headlined by goalkeeper Meagan McClelland, the league-leader in saves (39) and clean sheets (6). Additionally, its center back duo of Vicky Bruce (75) and Sydney Stuter (73) are the league leaders in clearances. The defensive-oriented Carolina team ranks 2nd in goals against with 15, but will have its hands full with a FTL UTD squad that has scored at least two goals per game in its last five matches.
Matchup History
In the second match in each respective club’s history, Carolina escaped with a 2-1 home victory despite a late goal from Hamid. The road loss, which took place on September 6, was the lone defeat in Fort Lauderdale’s first five matches.
The teams met for the second time on December 14 for the last match of the first half of the season. Locklear was the star of the show in her starting debut for FTL UTD, scoring a pair of goals to secure a 2-0 win at Beyond Bancard Field. The victory sent Fort Lauderdale into the break on a three match win-streak, and the momentum has carried into the second half of the season.
Where to Watch
The match will be streamed on Peacock and kick-off is set for 3:00 p.m. EST in North Carolina at the American Legion Memorial Stadium.
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, March 8 against Tampa Bay Sun FC in the third iteration of the Florida Derby. The match takes place on International Women’s Day, and kick-off for the rivalry game is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.