Fort Lauderdale makes its case as the team to beat, and why the opening 30 minutes is proving key for DC and Spokane
A full week with all eight teams in action saw a shake-up of the standings after Week 8 of the USL Super League season. Tampa Bay Sun FC and Dallas Trinity FC earned wins on the road, Fort Lauderdale United FC secured three points in its home opener and an incredible stoppage-time equalizer from Lexington SC resulted in a 1-1 draw against Carolina Ascent FC.
Here are three things we took away from last week’s matches:
1. FTL UTD is becoming the best team in the league
The team we saw on opening weekend in Spokane is nowhere near the team we saw take the field against Brooklyn on Sunday night. Every week, Fort Lauderdale has looked more cohesive, more composed and more creative in the attacking third.
Going into its home opener, whether it could continue that progression after two weeks off was the question the side had to answer, hosting an unbeaten Brooklyn FC that was arguably the hottest team in the league. Yet, Fort Lauderdale outperformed its opponent in nearly every statistical category: 58% of possession, 62% duel success rate, eight shots on target to Brooklyn’s two, and 26 tackles to Brooklyn’s eight. FTL UTD was the better team and was rewarded.
Fort Lauderdale’s depth has been the biggest element that has set it apart so far. All eyes have understandably been on the big three of Addie McCain, Jasmine Hamid and Sh’Nia Gordon, who combined for five shots, five tackles and four interceptions on Sunday night. However, Felicia Knox, Darya Rajaee, Anele Komani and Cameron Brooks are often the ones setting up the plays that get the front three into scoring positions. Then, the young talent of Nia Christopher, Gianna Gourley, Taylor Smith and Reese Klein– whose first goal of the season served as the winner against Brooklyn – have all provided a spark off the bench. Fort Lauderdale could easily be at the top of the standings come next week.
2. Carolina’s defense is making up for its struggling offense
For the second week in a row, Carolina Ascent hasn’t found the back of the net on its own accord (a Lexington own goal put Carolina on the board in Sunday’s match). Yet, the team earned draws in both matches and maintained its undefeated streak primarily through the grit of its defense.
Yes, they’ll be annoyed at conceding in the 10th minute of second half stoppage time as Lexington piled its entire team into the penalty area, but prior to that goalkeeper Meagan McClelland hadn’t allowed a goal in a month. Her five-save performance against Tampa Bay last week prevented the Ascent from suffering its first loss of the season in front of its home fans. Carolina’s backline, particularly Sydney Studer and Addisyn Merrick who have combined for 14 clearances and 14 tackles in their last two matches, have shut down pretty much any opponent that’s challenged them.
However, defense can’t win games on its own if the team is not producing on the other end of the field. Carolina’s offense has slowed down tremendously and has only recorded four shots on target in its last two matches. Other teams seem to be locking down on Mia Corbin, meaning someone else needs to step up when the opportunity presents itself.
3. The first 30 minutes of the match are crucial
All season long, it’s been obvious DC Power and Spokane Zephyr are struggling to convert the numerous chances they’ve been creating. The two teams have recorded the most shots yet have the worst conversion rates of all eight clubs. The small detail that hurts them the most is the timing of those chances created where they don’t convert.
Going back to the midweek match against Tampa Bay, the Power had four corners and three shots in the first 35 minutes that should have resulted in at least one goal. That Loza Abera breakaway in the 16th minute was the perfect opportunity for DC to take the lead, but Tampa Bay goalkeeper Lauren Kozal came up with a huge save. So, the teams go into halftime 0-0, and the Sun’s Sydny Nasello and Cecilie Fløe Nielsen produce two great goals and Carlee Giammona converts a penalty in the second half that gives the visitors a 3-0 win.
In Sunday’s match against Dallas, it was all Spokane Zephyr early on. It earned four corners, three free kicks and recorded three attempts on goal within the first 30 minutes. Then, Dallas picks up a little momentum off its first shot on target, Chioma Ubogagu beats her defender on the end line and sends in a cross to Hannah Davison, who heads it in for the lead.
It’s not to say that an early goal from either DC or Spokane would have changed the overall result of either match, but when you’re producing so many chances and it feels like a goal is coming, just for the other team to be the one to score first, it makes the mountain of scoring seem that much more impossible.