Defenders

2025/26 Season:

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Previous Experience:

A versatile defender who can line up at both center and outside back, Simpson brings an attacking edge with her ability to score while also strengthening Fort Lauderdale United’s retooled back line. At 5’10”, her aerial presence adds another dimension on both ends of the pitch for the club heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

A native of Orlando, Florida, Simpson starred at The First Academy before continuing her career at Samford University in Alabama, where she became an immediate contributor and earned SOCON All-Freshman honors in 2020-21. Simpson went on to start all 97 matches she played for the Bulldogs, logging 8,379 minutes while tallying 21 goals and 4 assists across five seasons. The defender helped lead Samford to three SOCON Championships (2021, 2022, 2024), earning All-Tournament Team honors after each victory.

Simpson’s standout senior campaign in 2024 saw her earn First Team All-SOCON recognition after scoring five goals and adding an assist, including the game-winner in the conference title match against Western Carolina. Following her collegiate career, Simpson signed a temporary injury-replacement contract with the NWSL’s Orlando Pride before joining Fort Lauderdale United ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

A versatile defender with a proven scoring touch, Simpson strengthens Fort Lauderdale’s back line as the club looks to open its season with a victory on Saturday evening.

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More About Ella:

• Favorite Foods
  • Açaí Bowls
  • Tacos
  • Sushi
• Favorite TV Shows
  • The Office
  • Grey’s Anatomy
  • The Blacklist
• Favorite Movies
  • Divergent
  • Interstellar
  • Cars 2
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Coldplay
  • Noah Kahan
  • Zach Bryan
• Fun Facts
  • Ella has surfed in Texas!
  • She is the only person in her family to not attend Florida State University!
  • Ella has been to 18 concerts!

2025/26 Season:

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Previous Experience:

A towering, physical defender, George brings the tools to make an immediate impact for Fort Lauderdale United on both ends of the pitch. With a background as an attacker, a 5’11” frame and technical ability with the ball at her feet, George has the potential to be a threat in the air and on the back line for the club. Paired with 6’1” newcomer Madison McComasky, the duo could form a dominant aerial partnership for a retooled Fort Lauderdale United defense in the 2025/26 campaign.

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, George starred as both a forward and defender at Sacred Heart Academy before taking her talents to Virginia Tech to play her collegiate soccer. George was a staple for the Hokies over her four-year career, making 77 appearances – including 44 starts – while logging 4,351 minutes.

George delivered a standout final season in Blacksburg, tallying 4 goals and 2 assists across 21 starts and 1,825 minutes, helping lead Virginia Tech to the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s College Cup. Her performances across the campaign earned national recognition, including All-Atlantic Region Third Team honors, ACC Defensive Player of the Week (9/3/2024) and a spot on TopDrawerSoccer’s Team of the Week (11/26/2024). She was also named the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Defensive Player of the Year after her dominant season.

After wrapping up her collegiate career, George signed with her hometown club – Racing Louisville FC of the NWSL. The defender made a pair of appearances for the club, making her professional debut in a friendly against Lexington SC and later featuring in a match against São Paulo FC during The Women’s Cup.

A dominant defender with a nose for goal, George’s arrival puts Fort Lauderdale United’s backline in great shape as the club continues to build its roster with sights set on a return to the postseason.

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More About Allie:

• Favorite Foods
  • Sushi
  • Pasta
  • Steak
• Favorite TV Shows
  • One Tree Hill
  • The Vampire Diaries
  • Stranger Things
• Favorite Movies
  • Black Panther
  • Top Gun: Maverick
  • Mamma Mia
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Justin Bieber
  • Khalid
  • Morgan Wallen
• Fun Facts
  • Allie is a good baker!
  • She won a city meet in spring board diving!
  • Allie’s great-grandfather was the Governor of Kentucky!

Previous Experience:

A versatile defender with the ability to play as a center half or outside back, McComasky pairs composure on the ball with strong one-on-one defending, making her a natural fit for Fort Lauderdale’s back line. Standing at 6’1”, she brings valuable height, aerial dominance, and physicality to a defensive unit that prides itself on toughness and control.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, McComasky left the Land Down Under after high school to pursue her collegiate career in the United States, beginning at Wayland Baptist University (2018) before moving to Northeast Texas Community College (2019). She made the jump to Division I in 2020, joining Incarnate Word for her final two seasons. In 2021, she starred for the Cardinals, starting all 21 matches, earning All-Southland Third Team honors and helping lead the program to the Southland Conference Final.

After wrapping up her collegiate career, McComasky signed with Canberra United for the 2022/23 campaign, where she delivered a breakout rookie season. The defender returned home the following year to join her hometown club, Western Sydney Wanderers, on a two-year deal starting with the 2023/24 season. Across a pair of campaigns with the Wanderers, McComasky logged 2,770 minutes, scored two goals, and racked up 46 tackles won, 46 blocks and 44 interceptions. The Australian native also completed 996 passes at a 71.2% accuracy rate, including 117 progressive passes. 

McComasky is the second Wanderer to join the team this offseason, reuniting with forward Sophie Harding after two seasons together from 2023 to 2025. A dynamic defender with toughness, poise, and a commanding aerial presence, McComasky will look to be a key part of a revamped Fort Lauderdale United backline as the club sets its sights on a return to the Super League Final.

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More About Madison:

• Favorite Foods
  • Sushi
  • Chocolate
  • Açai
• Favorite TV Shows
  • The Vampire Diaries
  • Grey’s Anatomy
  • New Girl
• Favorite Movies
  • Pride & Prejudice
  • Harry Potter (Series)
  • Twilight (Series)
  • Iron Man
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Dave
  • Chris Brown
  • Hozier
• Fun Facts
  • Madison has broken her collarbone THREE times.
  • She can complete a Rubix cube in under two minutes!
  • Madison loves going to the beach & reading!

2025/26 Season:

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2024/25 Season:

Julia Grosso is entering her second season with Fort Lauderdale United FC.

Grosso joined Fort Lauderdale United ahead of the second half of the season and the club’s playoff push. The 26-year-old defender immediately stepped into the starting lineup, but injuries limited her to seven appearances and 603 minutes. Despite the shortened stint, her impact was undeniable, as she recorded 54 duels won, 32 clearances and 6 interceptions. The Kentucky product delivered her lone assist of the season at the most crucial moment, setting up the game-winning goal in the 120th minute of the Semifinal.

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Previous Experience:

Grosso returns home to South Florida after a prolific start to her professional career in Australia. The dynamic Grosso earned “Player of the Year” honors for Melbourne City in 2022-23, and was an integral part in City winning the 2023-24 Premiership title. Before Australia, Grosso was a mainstay in the lineup over a five-year span for the Kentucky Wildcats, and showed her positional versatility as she started games as a forward, midfielder and defender in her collegiate career.

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More About Julia:

• Favorite Foods
  • Pasta
  • Sushi
  • Chips & Dip
• Favorite TV Shows
  • Prison Break
  • One Tree Hill
  • New Girl
  • The Summer I Turned Pretty
• Favorite Movies
  • Mamma Mia
  • Wicked
  • The Other Woman
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Taylor Swift
  • Florence & The Machine
  • Noah Kahan
• Fun Facts
  • She’s a mermaid! — (she loves the beach!)
  • Julia did competitive horseback riding! (barrel racing)
  • She learned how to surf in Australia & Hawaii.

2025/26 Season:

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2024/25 Season:

Ansbrow came to Fort Lauderdale United directly after her collegiate season with Wake Forest concluded in the National Championship, and the defender was relied upon immediately. Ansbrow’s arrival came at a much-needed time, as just a few matches into her time in Fort Lauderdale, a string of injuries hit the back line. The Wake Forest product stepped up and started all 17 matches in the second half of the season for FTL UTD, amassing 1,590 minutes while playing every possible second on the pitch. Despite appearing in just over half the season, the 22-year-old defender led the team in clearances (80) and tied for the lead in blocks (18). For her dominant performances in the early stages of her arrival, Ansbrow earned back-to-back Team of the Month nominations in February and March.

• 2x TOTM (February & March)

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Previous Experience:

Fresh off an NCAA National Championship appearance with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, defender Laurel Ansbrow joined the FTL UTD back line for the second half of the season. In addition to starting 61 matches for the Demon Deacons in 2023-24, Ansbrow earned the Elite 90 award, which is given to the athlete who has reached the top of competition in their sport whilst maintaining the top academic standing.

Ansbrow spearheaded a dominant Wake Forest back-line that gave up the least amount of goals in a season in team history en route to a trip to the National Championship. In addition to four years in the ACC, Ansbrow has experience in the USL W League dating back to 2022 and 2023, where she made an impact and was a First Team member on the USL W League Team of the Year for the North Carolina Courage in 2023.

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More About Laurel:

• Favorite Foods
  • Chocolate
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Cottage Cheese
• Favorite TV Shows
  • One Tree Hill
  • Stranger Things
  • Schitt’s Creek
• Favorite Movies
  • Harry Potter (Series)
  • Hunger Games (Series)
  • Yours, Mine and Ours
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Fleetwood Mac
  • Florence and The Machine
  • Caamp
• Fun Facts
  • She’s always singing.
  • Laurel loves to hike!
  • She’s been to Alaska.

2024/25 Season:

Celia Gaynor is entering her second season with Fort Lauderdale United FC.

Gaynor featured in 22 matches during Fort Lauderdale’s inaugural campaign, starting 16 and logging 1,560 minutes. The Michigan State product led the team in blocks (18) and ranked 2nd on the team in passes (1,075) in the inaugural campaign. A key figure in the center back corps in the early stages of the season, the 25-year-old defender earned Team of the Month honors in October.

• 1x TOTM (October)

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Previous Experience:

Gaynor was a dual player for Michigan State University, keeping the back line together while also scoring game-winning goals. Her efforts as a collegiate athlete earned her First-Team All-Big Ten, Third-Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region, Academic All-Big Team and CSC Academic All-District.

Gaynor was also picked by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2024 NWSL Draft.

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More About Celia:

• Favorite Foods
  • Chips and Salsa
  • Raspberries
  • Coffee (One of her main food groups)
• Favorite TV Shows
  • Severance
  • Friends
  • One Tree Hill
• Favorite Movies
  • Grown Ups
  • How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days
  • Kicking & Screaming
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Benson Boone
  • Noah Kahan
  • Quinn XCII
• Fun Facts
  • She used to play the clarinet.
  • Celia is one internship away from being a speech pathologist!
  • She won two Big Ten titles with her sister at Michigan State University.

2025/26 Season:

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2024/25 Season:

Sheyenne Allen is entering her second season with Fort Lauderdale United FC.

The 24-year-old defender appeared in 14 matches during Fort Lauderdale’s inaugural season, earning five starts. A versatile contributor, Allen lined up at both left wing and left back throughout the campaign. She completed 75.4% of her passes and scored her lone goal of the season in the December 1 victory over Spokane Zephyr FC at Beyond Bancard Field.

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Previous Experience:

Allen was a key piece for Brown University’s third straight and league-leading 15th Ivy title. 

Her ability to remain reliable and consistent under pressure made her the captain of her team during her senior year. Allen also earned an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention for her contributions as a defender.

After college, Allen signed with Club De Albergaria, a professional soccer team based in Portugal, before finding a home in Fort Lauderdale.  

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More About Sheyenne:

• Favorite Foods
  • Salmon
  • Impossible Burgers
  • Cotton Candy Grapes
• Favorite TV Shows
  • Succession
  • Game of Thrones
  • The Office
• Favorite Movies
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once
  • Avengers: Endgame
  • Avatar
• Favorite Music Artists
  • Travis Scott
  • The Weeknd
  • Ariana Grande
• Fun Facts
  • She hates ketchup.
  • Sheyenne loves playing Fortnite!
  • She’s an only child.

2025/26 Season:

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2024/25 Season:

Laveni Vaka is entering her second season with Fort Lauderdale United FC.

Vaka was a dominant presence on the back line during the club’s inaugural season, earning All-League Second Team honors after starting all 18 matches she played before a season-ending knee injury in March. The BYU product anchored the defense with elite consistency, completing 977 passes and tallying 65 clearances, 45 duels won, 15 tackles won, 14 blocks and 5 interceptions. Despite appearing in 10 fewer matches than the rest, the 23-year-old defender still ranked near the top of the team in clearances (3rd), blocks (3rd), and passes completed (4th), a clear sign of her influence and importance to the FTL UTD squad. Vaka also earned a spot on the inaugural Super League Team of the Month in August.

• All-League Second Team
• 1x TOTM (August)

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Previous Experience:

Vaka made her first international debut in 2018 for the Tonga National Women’s team.

Vaka had a decorated career with Brigham Young University as a defender, awarding her the 2022 WCC Defender of the Year and 2022 NCAA First Team-All Region while also putting her on the 2022 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list. 

In 2024, Vaka was selected by Bay FC in the NWSL Draft, creating history by becoming Tonga’s first female professional soccer player.

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More About Laveni:

• Favorite Foods
  • Corn Dogs / Hot Dogs
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Chocolate
• Favorite TV Shows
  • Bridgerton
  • Twilight
• Favorite Movies
  • Crazy Rich Asians
  • Maleficent
  • She’s The Man
  • Harry Potter (Series)
• Fun Facts
  • She has a twin sister!
  • Laveni can play the organ, piano & flute!
  • She comes from a family of 8.