FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (8-3-5, 27 PTS) is set for an intense home matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC (5-7-4, 22 PTS) on Saturday evening in the third iteration of the Florida Derby. In the first two editions of the Derby, both matches ended in draws after late, equalizing goals. With the rivalry set to kick-off at 7:30 p.m. EST at Beyond Bancard Field, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay will look to have another physical, intense meeting of the Florida Derby.
Fort Lauderdale is on fire entering Saturday, carrying a six-match unbeaten streak (5W, 1D) into its matchup with Tampa Bay. Forward Jasmine Hamid has been on a dominant run, scoring 3 goals while recording a pair of assists en route to winning back-to-back Player of the Month awards (Dec/Feb). Addie McCain continues to lead the USL Super League in goals (9), and forward Kiara Locklear (3G, 3A) has been an unreal addition to an already dominant FTL UTD attack. Defender Laveni Vaka ranks 7th in the league with 58 clearances, and will look to continue her strong run of defensive play alongside her center-back partner Laurel Ansbrow. The well-balanced Fort Lauderdale squad leads the league in goals scored (23) and ranks T-3rd in goals conceded (17), coming together to build one of the most dangerous teams in the USLSL.
Tampa Bay enters the Florida Derby with three points in its last three games, drawing a trio of consecutive matches. On the attack, the club is one of only two teams to have three players with at least four goals, as Carlee Giammona (6), Cecilie Nielsen (5) and Natasha Flint (4) are towards the top of the scoresheet. Additionally, Giamonna is tied with FTL’s Sh’Nia Gordon for the league-lead in shots with 30. Defensively, Tampa is led by Brooke Hendrix, who ranks 5th in the league in clearances (64) and 6th in completed passes (896).
Matchup History
In the first iteration of the Florida Derby on November 10, forward Anna Henderson was the hero that saved a point for Fort Lauderdale. The club trailed 1-0 until the 93rd minute, when Henderson soared in and scored a clutch, equalizing goal to secure a 1-1 draw.
The second meeting was just as intense, with both teams playing their first match in the second half of the season on February 8. Fort Lauderdale jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of the electric wing duo of Hamid and Gordon. In the second half, Tampa Bay converted a pair of penalty kicks to escape the Derby with a point.
Where to Watch
The match will be streamed on Peacock and can be streamed locally on FanDuel Sports Network. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Beyond Bancard Field.
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.