FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (9-7-7, 34 PTS) dropped its matchup with Carolina Ascent FC (13-5-7, 46 PTS) on Saturday evening, 2-5. Addie McCain and Jasmine Hamid each scored an impressive goal in the home loss, pushing their goal tallies to 10 and 9, respectively. With the loss, Fort Lauderdale United has gone winless in its last five matches (3D, 2L), and after tonight’s match, FTL UTD, Spokane Zephyr FC and Brooklyn FC are level in the standings with 34 points each. With just five matches left in the inaugural USL Super League season, next Saturday’s home matchup with Brooklyn FC will have an immense impact on the playoff push for both teams.
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the pitch on Saturday, May 3 for a matchup with Brooklyn FC in a battle between two clubs with their eyes on the playoffs. The teams have met a trio of times this season, with Fort Lauderdale holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. FTL UTD beat Brooklyn in a home matchup on October 6 for the first win in club history in a thrilling match. On October 27, Fort Lauderdale United FC fell 1-3 in the club’s second meeting, this time on the road in Brooklyn. A brace from Sh’Nia Gordon on March 15 helped lead FTL UTD to a 2-0 road win over Brooklyn FC in the club’s last clash.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/QTIpXuytiTY?si=Je-8pKpFHy2qwaI0
The match got off to a dream start for Fort Lauderdale United, as Hamid gave the club a quick 1-0 advantage on a terrific assist from Kiara Locklear in the 3rd minute. Forward Jorian Baucom made an incredible fake in the build-up, allowing Hamid to have a free shot on the net. The lead was short-lived, as Carolina fought back and scored an equalizer in the 5th minute. Just 12 minutes later, Carolina Ascent FC took the lead.
Both teams maintained physical play as the first half waned on, each drawing multiple fouls while earning free kicks. Both teams played stalwart defense as the halftime whistle approached, and goalkeeper Cosette Morché saved a hard shot in the 33rd minute to keep the deficit at 2. After 45 minutes, Fort Lauderdale United FC entered the halftime break trailing 1-3.
Morché picked up where she left off at the start of the second half, saving another hard shot. The first reinforcements entered the match for FTL UTD in the 55th minute, with defenders Cameron Brooks and Sabrina McNeill making their way onto the pitch for Celia Gaynor and Felicia Knox.
Hamid was dangerous down the left side through the majority of the second half, putting together an impressive run where she made a pair of Carolina defenders miss in the 69th minute. FTL UTD nearly lowered the deficit in the 72nd minute after an unreal shot from Baucom was saved. The rebound fell to Sh’Nia Gordon, who’s one-touch, right-footed shot just missed the right side of the net.
Another pair of substitutions came into the game for Fort Lauderdale United in just 60 seconds later in the 73rd minute as a pair of forwards in Nia Christopher and Thelma Hermannsdottir came in for Baucom and Gordon. Morché continued her strong run of play with another save in the 74th minute, but Carolina would extend its lead to 4-1 after a goal in the 77th minute.
After conceding a penalty kick, Carolina converted from the spot in the 81st minute to push the deficit to 1-5 for FTL UTD. In the 83rd minute, midfielder Darya Rajaee entered the match for the goal-scorer Hamid as the final sub of the game for FTL UTD.
In stoppage time, Hermannsdottir made an incredible run down the right side and played a ball into the middle for McCain. The Texas A&M product took a touch and fired a right-footed shot into the back of the net, putting the score at 2-5. The goal was the 10th of the season for McCain, and she became the third player in Super League history to reach the 10-goal mark. Despite the late goal, Fort Lauderdale United FC dropped its matchup with Carolina Ascent FC, 2-5.
Scoring Summary
FTL: Hamid, 3’
CAR: Corbin, 5’
CAR: Harding, 17’
CAR: Troccoli, 34’
CAR: Harding, 77’
CAR: Corbin, 81’
FTL: McCain, 90+2
Back in Action
FTL UTD will return to the pitch on Saturday, May 3 for a home matchup with fifth-seeded Brooklyn FC. Fort Lauderdale United maintains an advantage in the season series after winning a match both at home and on the road in the clubs’ prior meetings.
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, May 3 against Brooklyn FC for Youth Night/FYSA Girls in Soccer Night. The clubs have met three times this season, with Fort Lauderdale United FC leading the series 2-1 after a pair of wins.