FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 6, 2026) – Fort Lauderdale United FC (5-9-8, 23 PTS) won its matchup with DC Power FC (6-9-8, 26 PTS) on Monday evening in the opening of a two-match homestand at Beyond Bancard Field. Forwards Emily Thompson and Kate Colvin scored their first professional goals in the matchup, while midfielder Kelli Van Treeck added her fifth of the season in the dominant showing. With the victory, Fort Lauderdale earned three points for the first time since Nov. 8 and extended its run to back-to-back matches with points, and will look to carry that momentum into this weekend’s home clash against top-seeded Sporting JAX.
Fort Lauderdale United will face a quick turnaround, hosting Sporting JAX on Saturday, April 11 in the final match of a two-game homestand. The clubs have met three times during the 2025/26 campaign, with JAX hosting the first two, claiming the Nov. 22 meeting before the sides played to an exciting draw on Dec. 13, and then earning three points in South Florida on March 14. With a short week ahead, Fort Lauderdale will look to continue its strong run of play against a quality opponent at home.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRQq6hUT_Rg
The match got off to a fast start, as Thompson found the back of the net in the third minute, but the goal was ruled offside, setting the tone for Fort Lauderdale’s attacking intent for the remainder of the match. Midfielder Kat González continued her strong run of form, flicking the ball over a defender to find Abi Hugh on the wing, who delivered a cross to Sh’nia Gordon, but her shot was saved in the 12th minute. Defender Laveni Vaka followed with a key defensive play in the 14th minute, denying a clear scoring opportunity to keep the match scoreless.
Fort Lauderdale took the lead in the 26th minute after a brilliant run from Kiara Locklear, who found Thompson, and the forward fired home for the Broward County native’s first professional goal. Goalkeeper Haley Craig continued her strong run of form, making saves in the 28th and 42nd minutes to preserve the advantage, but DC found an equalizer in stoppage time, sending the match into halftime level at 1-1.
Craig carried her strong run of play into the second half, making saves in the 51st and 55th minutes to keep the match level. Fort Lauderdale found the breakthrough in the 61st minute when Kat González delivered a perfect corner to the back post, where Kelli Van Treeck rose and volleyed the ball into the net for her fifth goal of the season.
The lead was extended in the 68th minute when Locklear played a perfectly weighted through ball down the left side to Kate Colvin, who took a pair of touches before slotting it into the back of the net for her first professional goal and Locklear’s second assist of the match. Interim Head Coach Paul Jennison made his first change in the 74th minute, bringing on Taylor Smith for Kat González as the match entered its final stages. Craig added another strong save in the 84th minute, and Gordon nearly found a fourth in stoppage time, as Fort Lauderdale secured a 3-1 victory over DC Power on Monday evening.
Scoring Summary
FTL: Thompson, 26’
DC: Abera, 45+2’
FTL: Van Treeck, 61’
FTL: Colvin, 68’
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United returns to action on Saturday, April 11, closing out its homestand against top-seeded Sporting JAX. The clubs have met three times during the 2025/26 campaign, with JAX hosting the first two, winning the first meeting (Nov. 22) before the sides played to a thrilling draw (Dec. 13), and also taking the most recent matchup in Fort Lauderdale (March 14).
Tickets
Fort Lauderdale will take on Sporting JAX in the second of a two-match homestand on Saturday, April 11. You can purchase tickets HERE! Playoff hopes are on the line, and Fort Lauderdale United FC needs you with us! The Family 4 Pack is now available for each of our final three home matches – featuring four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and a parking pass. Bring the whole crew and be part of every duel, every counterattack, and every pivotal moment at Beyond Bancard Field. Secure your Family 4 Pack HERE!
