FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 15, 2026) – Fort Lauderdale United FC (0-1-0, 0 PTS) opened its 2026 Fall Gainbridge Super League campaign on Saturday evening, falling to Sporting JAX (1-0-0, 3 PTS) in heartbreaking fashion at the newly named Amerant Bank Field. The new-look Fort Lauderdale squad showed grit and intensity on both sides of the ball, showcasing its high-level potential for the 2026 season. Fort Lauderdale will have a week off before returning to the pitch to close out its opening homestand, playing host to Brooklyn FC.
Fort Lauderdale United will return to action on Friday, August 28 for its second consecutive home match to open the campaign, hosting Brooklyn FC as the club looks to start off the season on a high note. With Fort Lauderdale looking to close out its opening homestand on a positive note, three points will be on the club’s mind against its Empire State-based opponent.
Fort Lauderdale opened with a dangerous attacking chance from Emily Thompson and Kiara Locklear, setting the stage for an intense opening stretch. Grace Cutler, alongside Thompson and Locklear, was a consistent threat throughout the first half, creating chances while applying pressure on both ends of the pitch. The most dangerous chances came in the 35th and 46th minutes, respectively, when new addition Kelsey Oyler found Locklear down the wing before the forward played a perfectly weighted pass to Cutler, whose shot was saved. Fort Lauderdale nearly broke through in stoppage time when Locklear beat her defender down the left wing and played a perfect ball to Sh’nia Gordon, but her one-touch effort missed the mark, sending the clubs into halftime scoreless.
The second half opened with a dangerous chance after Thompson sent a perfect free kick into the box, where Simpson soared in and sent a volley that deflected off the back post. Shortly after, Head Coach Tyrone Mears made his first change of the match in his return to the sidelines, bringing on All-League Second Team midfielder Kelli Van Treeck for Thompson. Gordon continued to make an impact, going on a tear over the next seven minutes with three dangerous runs down the right wing while also putting a shot on frame. Mears made a triple change in the 78th minute, bringing on fresh legs with Taylor Smith, Abi Hugh and Farrah Walters for Cutler, Locklear and Gordon, respectively. Right after earning a free kick just outside the box, Sporting JAX took the lead on a deflected shot as regulation time expired. Fort Lauderdale pressed for an equalizer throughout the five minutes of stoppage time, but was unable to find the breakthrough as the club fell to Sporting JAX in the season opener.
Scoring Summary
JAX: DeSmit, 89’
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale will continue the 2026 campaign with the final of its opening two-match homestand, hosting Brooklyn FC at Amerant Bank Field on Friday, August 28.
Get Your Tickets
The 2026 Gainbridge Super League continues on Friday, August 28 when Fort Lauderdale United FC hosts Brooklyn FC. Click HERE to get your tickets! Stay tuned and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with all things FTL UTD on Instagram, X(Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook.
