FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (11-8-8, 41 PTS) won its matchup with Dallas Trinity FC (11-9-7, 40 PTS) on Saturday evening, 1-0, in its final home regular season match of the inaugural USL Super League season. Forward Kiara Locklear scored her fifth goal of the season in the crucial victory on a perfect assist from fellow forward Sh’nia Gordon, helping secure all three points for the club. With the win, Fort Lauderdale United has now earned points in three straight matches (2W, 1D), surging into playoff position with just one game remaining. FTL UTD will look to carry that momentum into next week’s decisive road clash against Spokane Zephyr FC, where the final two postseason spots will be up for grabs in a showdown that could prove defining for Fort Lauderdale United’s inaugural campaign.
Fort Lauderdale United will return to the pitch on Saturday night for its final match of the 2024/25 regular season in a road matchup with Spokane Zephyr FC in a season-defining duel. FTL holds the upper hand in the season series, having earned a win and two draws across their three meetings with Spokane. The clubs kicked off their series on August 17 in Spokane, marking the inaugural match in club history for both sides and ending in a draw. In their second meeting on December 7, Addie McCain and Sheyenne Allen each found the back of the net, propelling FTL UTD to a 2-1 victory at Beyond Bancard Field. The most recent clash came on March 22 in Fort Lauderdale, resulting in a scoreless draw.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/uqqaw2n-CHc?si=nhKCy2mQQUoeDlaX
Fort Lauderdale was on the attack in the early stages of the match, earning a pair of corner kicks. On the first, Cameron Brooks’ header deflected off of the woodwork, and the rebound fell to Sabrina McNeill. Last match’s hero fired a shot that beat the Dallas keeper, but the ball was saved off the line in the 7th minute. Just one minute later, Tati Fung nearly gave the club an advantage with an Olimpico, but the shot was saved. A new addition to the starting lineup, Sheyenne Allen was making her presence known on the left wing, highlighted by an impressive run in the 13th minute.
Fort Lauderdale jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute after an amazing run from Gordon down the wing. The forward made it behind the Dallas defense but made the unselfish decision to play the ball to Locklear, who took a touch and sent a rocketing shot past the Dallas keeper to give FTL UTD the advantage. Locklear capped the goal with a stunning backflip celebration, drawing a roar from the crowd and setting the tone for Fort Lauderdale’s relentless pressure.
The Fort Lauderdale attack kept the pressure on after taking the lead, repeatedly playing through-ball passes behind the Dallas defense. Addie McCain nearly doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, but her volley just went over the crossbar. The Fort Lauderdale defense held strong down the stretch, highlighted by a physical play from McNeill, as the club went into the halftime break leading 1-0.
Julia Grosso, making her second return from injury, impressed at left back with composed and effective play throughout. Goalkeeper Cosette Morché, largely untested in the first half, was called into action in the 53rd minute and came up big with a save to maintain the lead. Substitutions in the 54th and 63rd minutes brought fresh energy, as Delaney Lindahl, Jorian Baucom and Thelma Hermannsdottir entered for Grosso, Gordon, and Allen. Brooks had another chance to add to the scoreline in the 77th minute, but her volley drifted just wide.
Fort Lauderdale continued to add fresh legs, putting Anele Komani and Celia Gaynor into the match for Taylor Smith and Fung in the 83rd minute. Locklear continued to be on the hunt, nearly recording a brace on a left-footed, knuckling shot that was saved by the Dallas keeper in the 87th minute. The defense held firm as Dallas pressed for an equalizer as the final whistle approached, and Morché earned her seventh clean sheet of the season as Fort Lauderdale secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Dallas Trinity FC.
Scoring Summary
FTL: Locklear, ‘26
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United will return to the pitch on Saturday, May 31 for a monumental road clash with Spokane Zephyr FC in the final regular season match of the inaugural campaign. FTL carries the season series advantage into the weekend, unbeaten in three matches against Spokane with one win and two draws. With playoff berths at stake, Saturday’s showdown will have everything on the line for both clubs.
Tickets
The 2024/25 regular season home schedule may be over, but don’t miss your chance to get ahead – register now to secure your spot for 2025/26 season tickets HERE! Stay tuned and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things FTL UTD on Instagram, X(Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook,
