FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fort Lauderdale United FC is set to make its debut in the USL League Two Playoffs on Friday, heading to Sarasota to take on Laredo Heat SC in the Round of 32. With kick-off set for 4:00 p.m. at Premier Sports Campus, Friday’s match will be one between two of the top teams in League Two – each boasting a high-powered attack and strong regular season form.
Fort Lauderdale enters the playoffs riding the momentum of a statement win over St. Petersburg FC to clinch a postseason berth. The club capped off its inaugural League Two regular season with an 8-2-2 record, earning 26 points from 12 matches while scoring 21 goals and conceding just 10.
Led by the dynamic Carlos Zambrano, Fort Lauderdale burst onto the scene and made an immediate impression in its debut League Two campaign. Zambrano has been a standout all season, scoring 7 goals and earning one of just two league-wide Player of the Month honors, taking home the award for May. Fellow attackers Michael Appiah and Johan Arevalo have found their form late in the year, each reaching the three-goal mark ahead of the postseason. Captain Mathys Lefebvre has been the engine in midfield, dictating tempo and linking play with poise and leadership throughout the year.
On the defensive end, Fort Lauderdale will be without starting defenders Idrissa Mané and Joackim Betina, both of whom received red cards in the regular season finale. Additionally, outside back Jonathan Nabaka will miss the match due to injury. Despite those setbacks, the back line will be anchored by standout goalkeeper Nigel van Haveren. The shot-stopper has been in sensational form, allowing just 7 goals in 11 matches while recording 6 clean sheets. His dominant performances earned him a place on the league’s Team of the Month for May. With attacking depth, midfield stability, and a proven presence in goal, Fort Lauderdale United FC enters its first postseason campaign eager to make a deep run.
Laredo Heat SC cruised through the 2025 regular season, finishing atop the Lone Star Division with an 11-1-0 record. The Texas side impressed on both ends of the pitch, tallying 36 goals (top-five in League Two) while conceding just 12. The team’s scoring has been fueled by a productive trio: Sergio Meza (7 goals), Kai Louviere (5), and Ismael Mane (4), who combined for more than 44% of the club’s offensive output. Between the posts, goalkeeper Marc Bonnaire has provided a steady presence, recording 18 saves and anchoring a disciplined defensive unit. With both clubs boasting potent attacks, Friday’s playoff showdown is poised to be one of the round’s most compelling matchups.
What’s Next
With a win on Friday afternoon, Fort Lauderdale United would advance to the Round of 16, where it would face the winner of Sarasota Paradise vs. Sporting JAX on Sunday, July 20, at Premier Sports Campus.
