FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 4, 2025) – Fort Lauderdale United FC is thrilled to announce the addition of former West Virginia midfielder Lilly McCarthy to the roster ahead of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season, pending league and federation approval.
“McCarthy joins us following a successful collegiate career at West Virginia, where she consistently demonstrated her qualities as a highly technical and intelligent midfielder,” said Ali Rogers, Associate Head Coach of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “She has a natural ability to control the rhythm of the game and cover ground effectively on both sides of the ball. Her vision, composure and creativity in possession will add both depth and versatility to our midfield unit.”
A well-rounded midfielder, McCarthy is calm and confident on the ball, able to cover ground effectively and play with composure under pressure. McCarthy’s skill set fits perfectly into Fort Lauderdale United’s tactical approach, where she’ll add depth and youth to a retooled midfield group.
“McCarthy is a young, talented player with a bright future ahead,” said Aly Hassan, General Manager of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “Her combination of skill, intelligence, and versatility makes her an important piece of our midfield both now and moving forward.”
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, McCarthy moved to the Mountain State to play college soccer at West Virginia University. She made an immediate impact, earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors after her debut season with two assists across 12 appearances, including six starts. Over five seasons as a Mountaineer, McCarthy featured in 91 matches with 68 starts, totaling more than 5,100 minutes.
McCarthy capped off her collegiate career with a standout 2024 season, recording 4 goals and 6 assists across 20 starts. The midfielder was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, the All-Midwest Region Second Team and was honored as West Virginia’s Team MVP after her dominant year. At the conclusion of her college career, McCarthy finished just outside the top 10 in career appearances in program history.
McCarthy is the second Mountaineer to sign with Fort Lauderdale, as forward Sh’nia Gordon also played her college soccer in Morgantown. A midfielder with plenty of potential and a versatile skill set, McCarthy will look to impact the game on all levels as Fort Lauderdale United continues to build its roster with its eyes on another deep playoff run.
Season Tickets Available NOW!
Season tickets for the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season are officially on sale – and you won’t want to miss what’s coming. Be there for every tackle, every goal, and every unforgettable moment at all 14 of Fort Lauderdale United FC’s action-packed home matches. New this year: the club has launched the Juniors Season Ticket – a fun and affordable way to bring the whole family into the experience. At Fort Lauderdale United, matchday isn’t just about soccer; it’s about making memories with your family. Come make memories with us – click HERE to secure yours today!
About Fort Lauderdale United FC
Relentlessly striving for greatness at every level – from nurturing our youth talent to embodying the enduring values of Fort Lauderdale – our club stands as a beacon of global competition, unifying our community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the pitch, and our unwavering pursuit of success, we create a pathway from aspiring youth to professional mastery, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. Fort Lauderdale United FC fields two professional soccer teams: a women’s team in the Division One Gainbridge Super League, a USL property, and a men’s USL League One team (arriving in 2026). The club also operates men’s and women’s pre-professional teams in USL League Two and the USL W League, respectively. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.
