CHARLOTTE, N.C. – No. 4 Fort Lauderdale United FC pulled off a thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 1 Carolina Ascent FC on Sunday evening in the USL Super League Semifinals, earning a place in next week’s inaugural Final. North Carolina native Kiara Locklear delivered a pair of clutch, highlight-reel goals in her home state, both assisted by Sh’nia Gordon and Julia Grosso, to lift Fort Lauderdale in an instant classic on the road. With the win, FTL UTD extends its unbeaten streak to five matches (3W, 2D) and advances to face rival Tampa Bay Sun FC in a showdown for the league’s first-ever championship.
Fort Lauderdale United will travel to face Sunshine State rival and No. 2 Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday, June 14 in the USL Super League Final. The two clubs met four times during the regular season, and their first three matchups ended in draws: 1-1 on November 10 at home, 2-2 on February 8 in Tampa, and 1-1 on March 8 at home before Tampa earned the only win in the season series with a 2-0 victory on April 5 in Tampa. A rivalry matchup between two talented, physical teams with the league title on the line is everything. With all to play for, these evenly matched sides are set for a must-watch showdown next week.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv__PcxYbmo
The match got off to a fast start, with Fort Lauderdale United applying pressure early. The club earned a corner kick just two minutes in, setting the tone for an aggressive first half. In the 9th minute, defender Sabrina McNeill delivered a tremendous through ball to Jasmine Hamid, whose shot was denied by the Carolina keeper. In the 17th minute, Fort Lauderdale strung together a sharp sequence of one-touch passes that freed forward Locklear behind the Carolina back line, but her right-footed shot drifted just wide of the net.
The defense came up big in the 24th minute to keep the match level. Addie McCain made a perfectly timed sliding tackle inside the box to deny a Carolina attacker with an open net. Moments later, McCain turned defense into attack, sending a pinpoint pass to Hamid on the counter, but her shot was deflected out for a corner after a quick touch. Goalkeeper Cosette Morché was called into action late in the half, tipping a rocket of a shot over the bar in the 42nd minute. After a back-and-forth opening 45 minutes, the sides went into the break tied at 0-0.
Fort Lauderdale United made its first change of the match coming out of halftime, with Sheyenne Allen replacing Hamid. The early stages of the second half were marked by strong defensive play, as Morché made an impressive near-post save in the 47th minute. Just minutes later, defenders Laurel Ansbrow and Grosso came up with crucial stops in the 52nd to keep the game tied at 0-0. Just three minutes later, Carolina took the lead and put the pressure on FTL UTD.
The club continued to bring fresh legs on the pitch to spark the attack, putting Anele Komani and Jorian Baucom into the match for Taylor Smith and the injured Allen in the 54th and 68th minutes, respectively. Shortly after the changes, momentum shifted. Following a Fort Lauderdale throw-in, Grosso found Gordon, who took a touch and threaded a perfect through-ball to Locklear. The North Carolina native took a few strides before calmly slotting a shot to the far post, leveling the match at 1-1 in the 69th minute. After scoring, Locklear celebrated with her signature backflip, silencing the home crowd while igniting the FTL UTD squad. The final minutes of regulation saw both teams trade chances in a tense back-and-forth, but after 90 minutes, the match remained tied at 1-1 and sent the semifinal into extra time.
Extra Time
The first 15 minutes of extra time were marked by tired legs on both sides, but Fort Lauderdale carved out the best scoring opportunity of the stretch. Baucom nearly put FTL UTD ahead, but her attempt was cleared off the line by the Carolina defense. In the second half of extra time, Fort Lauderdale was forced into another change as McNeill exited with an injury. To replace the Auburn product, Delaney Lindahl entered the match in the 110th minute to reinforce the back line.
Three minutes later, Locklear slipped a precise pass through to Baucom, who fired a shot toward the near post, but it was saved by the Carolina goalkeeper to keep the score level in the 113th minute. With the match seemingly headed towards a penalty shootout, Tati Fung entered the game for Darya Rajaee in the 118th minute. Just moments later, the improbable happened.
Defender Cameron Brooks launched a free kick towards the Carolina box from the halfway line at the 120th minute. The ball bounced to Grosso, who delivered a perfectly placed, looping pass to Locklear inside the box. With her eyes on the prize, Locklear struck a stunning volley that caught the Carolina defense off guard, sending the ball into the back of the net in the dying seconds of the match. The goal proved to be the winner, as just moments after, the final whistle was blown. Courtesy of Locklear’s brace, Fort Lauderdale United secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Carolina Ascent FC in the USL Super League Semifinal, and punched its ticket to next weekend’s Final.
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United will return to the pitch on June 14 for the USL Super League Final in a road matchup with Tampa Bay Sun FC. The teams met on four occasions in the regular season, tying in the first three matches before Tampa won the final match. With the Super League title on the line, this final meeting between rivals has everything at stake..
Tickets
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