BROOKLYN, N.Y. (October 2, 2026) – Fort Lauderdale United FC (1-6-0, 3 PTS) dropped its matchup with Brooklyn FC (2-5-0, 6 PTS) on Friday evening in the Empire State. The match appeared destined for a draw before a late Brooklyn goal decided the hard-fought contest as Fort Lauderdale reached the midway point of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League campaign.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-qAGTdJWs&t
A Back & Forth Opening Half
On a mid-70-degree night in the Empire State, Fort Lauderdale and Brooklyn each took the first 20 minutes to settle into the match before the visiting side found its attacking momentum. The attacking core of Kiara Locklear, Sh’nia Gordon, Kelli Van Treeck, Farrah Walters and Daniela Todd routinely created dangerous chances throughout the first half, but the best opportunity of the opening period came in the 23rd minute. In her first start of the season at right back, Abi Hugh set up Gordon with a perfect pass inside the box, but the forward’s low-driven shot was saved at the near post. Goalkeeper Haley Craig made a pair of impressive plays in the latter stages of the first half, while a dangerous run and shot from Gordon in stoppage time nearly provided the breakthrough, but the clubs went into the break scoreless.
Another Heartbreaking Finish
Fort Lauderdale opened the second half with momentum on the attacking end, with Gordon, Todd and Hugh each nearly finding the back of the net during the first 15 minutes. Hugh’s chance was an excellent one after winning back possession and firing a shot toward the top corner that was just pushed away by the Brooklyn keeper. The club fell behind in the 77th minute after a mistake inside the box, followed by a change that saw Grace Cutler enter the match for Taylor Smith. Locklear nearly found the equalizer with a rocket of a shot that hit the crossbar in the 83rd minute as the club chased a tying goal. Fort Lauderdale continued to fight through the remainder of the match and stoppage time, with a low-driven volley from Van Treeck nearly sneaking inside the near post but being saved. Despite the final push, Fort Lauderdale fell on the road after conceding the difference-making goal in the final 15 minutes for the fourth time this campaign. With the result, Fort Lauderdale has fallen for the sixth time this season, splitting the season series with Brooklyn, and the club will have a chance to return to the win column in next week’s home clash against Lexington SC.
Scoring Summary
BKN: Giammona, 76’
Back in Action on October 11
Fort Lauderdale United will return to the pitch on Sunday, October 11 as it hosts Lexington SC at Amerant Bank Field. The match will kick-off a stretch where Fort Lauderdale will play three matches in 11 days, also taking on Sporting JAX (Oct. 16) and Carolina Ascent FC (Oct. 22). With Fort Lauderdale looking to earn points at home, Sunday’s home clash against the defending champions will be a pivotal one.
Get Your Tickets
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to Amerant Bank Field on Sunday, October 11, hosting defending champions Lexington SC in the More Than Pink Game – supporting Susan G. Komen – in an intense matchup in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League season. 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.
