TAMPA, FL. (September 12, 2026) – Fort Lauderdale United FC (1-3-0, 3 PTS) fell 2-1 to in-state rival Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-1-1, 7 PTS) on Saturday evening at Suncoast Credit Union Field in a match that included an extended lighting delay that appeared to shift the rhythm of the contest.

Fort Lauderdale battled throughout the evening and found an attacking breakthrough through forward Sh’nia Gordon, who scored her first goal of the 2026 Gainbridge Super League campaign. Gordon finished a terrific attacking sequence created by Farrah Walters, who picked up her first assist of the season on the play.  The connection between Gordon and Walters provided Fort Lauderdale with an important attacking spark and gave the visitors momentum during a competitive stretch of the match.

One of the defining moments of the evening came when play was halted in the second half for approximately 40 minutes due to an issue with the stadium lighting. Prior to the stoppage, Fort Lauderdale had settled into the match and was beginning to establish a rhythm on both sides of the ball. The lengthy interruption forced both clubs off the field and created an unusual break in the flow of play.

When the teams returned, the complexion of the match appeared to change. Tampa Bay was able to regain its footing and establish momentum following the restart, while Fort Lauderdale worked to recapture the rhythm it had established before the delay. Fort Lauderdale continued to battle following the restart and remained within striking distance, but Tampa Bay ultimately protected its advantage and secured all three points with the 2-1 victory.

The defeat marks consecutive losses for Fort Lauderdale following its September 5 road match against Carolina Ascent FC and moves the club to 1-3-0 through its first four matches of the season. With the opening stretch of the campaign featuring significant time away from South Florida, Fort Lauderdale will now turn its attention toward an important return to Amerant Bank Field where they will host Dallas Trinity FC on Friday, September 18 at 7:30pm.

Match Highlights:

Fort Lauderdale brought intensity from the opening whistle, hungry for its first-ever win over its in-state rival. Both clubs used the opening 10 minutes to settle into the match, but Head Coach Tyrone Mears was forced into an early change after Maggie Mace picked up an injury, bringing Molly McDougal into the match in the 14th minute. Gordon was electric from the early stages, making numerous dangerous runs down the right side that foreshadowed her impact throughout the match.

Fort Lauderdale jumped out in front in the 24th minute after an electric run from Walters down the left side, sending a perfect cross into the box where Gordon ran onto it and fired a one-touch shot into the back of the net. The momentum stayed with Fort Lauderdale following the go-ahead goal, with Kiara Locklear nearly doubling the lead in the 27th and 30th minutes, respectively. Gordon nearly secured a first-half brace with a dangerous run down the right side in the 45th minute, hitting the post as Fort Lauderdale took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Locklear opened the second half with a dangerous run down the left side, sending a cross to the top of the box for Gordon. The goal scorer fired a one-touch shot just over the crossbar, continuing to apply pressure on the Tampa Bay back line. In the 64th minute, the match was stopped and temporarily postponed due to an issue with the stadium lighting. After a 40-minute delay, the lighting was restored, allowing the match to resume.

Just two minutes after play resumed, Tampa Bay equalized. Fort Lauderdale fought back in search of the lead, with Locklear firing a shot just wide in the 68th minute. Mears made more changes in the 75th minute, bringing Shea Moyer and Abi Hugh into the match for Nicole Vernis and McDougal. Tampa Bay took the lead in the 81st minute, with Fort Lauderdale continuing to search for an equalizer, including a strong chance from Kelli Van Treeck and Walters in the 84th minute.

The final substitutions of the match came in the 85th minute, with Emily Thompson and Taylor Smith entering for Grace Cutler and Walters, but Fort Lauderdale was unable to find an equalizer as it fell on the road to Tampa Bay.

 

Scoring Summary:

FTL: Gordon, 24’

TB: Waldeck, 65’

TB: Connors, 81’

 

Post-Game Media Deliverables:

Match Highlights & Post-Game Press Conference (Photos & Video)

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wv8c2w10wpmfbqzp9648y/AFFNDwJwg_5oJu0QqYkpkOY?rlkey=23gjcunzipwm2weh3b2kn2tm4&st=aqkosm63&dl=0

 

Next Match:

Friday, September 18 vs. Dallas Trinity

7:30pm, Amerant Bank Field

 

#FTLUTD

 

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