BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC’s USL W league team suffered its second loss of the season to Brevard SC Riptide, losing 4-3 on the road in the final minutes of a back-and-forth match. Chloe Burst had a part in all of Fort Lauderdale’s goals, scoring two and assisting the third. This result puts the club in third place in the Southeast division with a 6-2 record, ahead of a big away matchup on Saturday against second-placed Tallahassee Reckoning for a chance at a wildcard spot in the USL W playoffs.
The game kicked off with intensity from both teams. In the 5th minute, goalkeeper Lauren Rodriguez made a great save off a Brevard long shot to keep the score level. Fort Lauderdale was the first on the scoresheet after a spectacular Burst solo goal in the 17th minute. Center back Leah Finkelman found Burst out wide, who then dribbled the ball inside towards goal, beating three defenders in the process before ripping a shot from 25 yards out into the bottom right corner of the goal. Fort Lauderdale almost doubled its lead in the 20th minute when Anniina Sankoh got a close-range header off Burst’s cross, but Brevard’s goalkeeper made the save. Fort Lauderdale would have its second goal two minutes later, after Finkelman got her head on Burst’s corner kick, heading the ball powerfully into the back of the net. Brevard got one back in the 37th minute, making the score 2-1 to close out the first half.
Down 2-1, Brevard came out hard to start the second half, and got its equalizer off a corner kick in the 47th minute. Fort Lauderdale was able to keep its composure and continue to create scoring chances. In the 52nd minute, halftime substitute Daniela Diaz hit a cross into the box to Sankoh, who laid the ball off to halftime substitute Melanie Russo, who then hit a first time shot in front of the goal that was blocked by a Brevard defender. Two minutes later, Brevard took the lead off another corner kick goal. Despite being down 3-2, Fort Lauderdale was in control of the game and remained motivated. In the 59th minute, defender Veronica Gonzalez gave Russo a through ball towards goal, where she took a touch and hit a shot that forced Brevard’s goalkeeper to make another diving save. Fort Lauderdale tied the game up in the 64th minute when Burst crossed the ball to Russo, got it back from her and hit a stunning shot from 20 yards out into the top left corner of the goal. Unfortunately, Brevard scored the game-winner in the 88th minute. In stoppage time, Fort Lauderdale had a great opportunity to tie the game off a Burst corner kick in the match’s final moments, but Finkelman’s header was saved by the goalkeeper and Diaz’s follow-up shot went wide of the goal.
Our Fort Lauderdale United FC USL W League team will return to the pitch on Saturday, June 28 for an away game against Tallahassee Reckoning. Kick-off is set for 5:00 pm.
