FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In a hard-fought, physical match on Saturday evening, Fort Lauderdale United FC (9-5-5, 32 PTS) drew its matchup with Spokane Zephyr FC (5-7-7, 22 PTS), 0-0. With the draw, Fort Lauderdale United has now pushed its unbeaten streak to 9 matches, and taken sole possession of the top-seed in the USL Super League standings.
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the pitch on Saturday, April 5 for a road matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC in the fourth iteration of the Florida Derby. The rival clubs tied in each of its first three matchups this season, most recently in a 1-1 draw at Beyond Bancard Field. With its eyes on continuing its unbeaten streak, FTL UTD will be looking for a tough victory over Tampa Bay in the Florida Derby.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/vV4qHX05KRE?si=IXqz_MHrbo-D_mAw
From the start, it was clear the duel would be a physical one. Defender Celia Gaynor set the tone for FTL UTD early on, making a number of tough challenges before clearing a cross in the 3rd minute. Cosette Morche was active in the early stages of the match, making a diving punch on a cross in the 6th minute.
Forward Sh’Nia Gordon nearly gave FTL UTD the lead in the 13th minute on a hard shot from outside the box, but it was saved by the Spokane keeper. Forward Kiara Locklear continued to apply pressure and create chances, and in the 30th minute, almost found a breakthrough goal for FTL UTD but her shot was blocked.
The match got more intense and physical as the half neared its end, with both teams committing multiple fouls. Following a corner kick, defender Laurel Ansbrow just missed a header to the left of the net in the 40th minute. Spokane continued to test the FTL UTD back-line in stoppage time, but the unit stayed strong, and the two teams went into the halftime break tied at 0-0.
The second half opened with the best chance of the game for Fort Lauderdale, as Gordon had a header inside the box that was saved by the Spokane keeper in the 47th minute. FTL UTD kept pushing on the attack, putting together a pair of corner kicks in the 52nd and 54th minutes, respectively.
Coming off a corner kick, Ansbrow had a header cleared off the line by a Spokane defender. The rebound bounced in the box, and Jasmine Hamid soared in for a second header that was saved by the opposing goalkeeper in the 54th minute. Defender Delaney Lindahl and midfielder Darya Rajaee put together multiple impressive runs of play down the right side, keeping the Spokane defense on edge. Gordon made a tremendous solo run down the right side in the 60th minute, but her shot faded just right of the net.
As the second half heated up, Addie McCain, the joint-leader in the Super League Golden Boot race, began to get more involved in the game and the attack. Locklear made an incredible pass to Gordon in the 65th minute, but her right-footed shot curved just left of the net.
Fort Lauderdale kept applying the same pressure, earning two corner kicks in the 72nd minute. Just three minutes later, the first unit of reinforcements entered the game for FTL UTD, with Tatiana Fung and Felicia Knox coming onto the pitch for Taylor Smith and Rajaee.
McCain nearly gave Fort Lauderdale the lead in the 76th minute on a perfect cross from Knox, but the shot sailed just over the crossbar. Eyeing a late goal, the final substitution for FTL UTD occurred in the 86th minute with Nia Christopher making her way onto the field for Hamid. Despite a late push, the game ended in a 1-1 draw after a hard-fought 90 minutes in Fort Lauderdale.
Back in Action
FTL UTD will return to action on Saturday, April 5 in a road matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC in the Florida Derby. The clubs have met three times this season, with each ending in a draw in the rivalry match. With its eyes on continuing its unbeaten streak, Fort Lauderdale will be looking for a tough victory over Tampa Bay in the Florida Derby.
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, April 12 against DC Power FC for Pride Night. The clubs first met in DC on September 13, where FTL earned a 2-1 victory for the first win in club history. The second meeting took place in Fort Lauderdale on November 23 in a 1-0 victory for DC. In fact, the loss was the last before the start of the nine match unbeaten streak for FTL UTD.