DALLAS, Tex. – Fort Lauderdale United FC (3-4-1) dropped a heartbreaking road matchup against Dallas Trinity FC (3-1-4) on Saturday evening, falling 1-0. The match seemed to be headed for a draw until Dallas put the ball in the back of the net in the 87th minute. The loss marks the third consecutive for Fort Lauderdale, who falls to T-4th place (Tampa Bay Sun FC & DC Power FC) in the USL Super League standings.
The next chance for the Fort Lauderdale side to get back in the win column will be in the Florida Derby against Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday, Nov. 9 at home. The historic matchup will reignite an extensive rivalry between the two cities that dates back to 1977. With the two teams tied in the standings at 10 points each, the match has fireworks written all over it.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Click here
Forward Sh’Nia Gordon helped the FTL UTD attack get off to a strong and fast start. A perfect long ball from Reese Klein put Gordon just on the edge of the Dallas box in the first minute. The right wing made a defender miss and played a cross into the middle of the box that just narrowly missed the foot of Addie McCain. The attack continued to pressure the Dallas defense and earned a pair of corners in the 2nd and 5th minutes, respectively.
The Fort Lauderdale defense was tested early and goalkeeper Makenna Gottschalk, making her second consecutive start, was able to keep the game tied at 0-0 after an impressive save in the bottom left corner in the 7th. The two teams continued to fight in a battle-tested, physical first half as time wound down.
Forward Gianna Gourley nearly gave FTL UTD the lead in the 39th minute after a dynamic counter-attack. Midfielder Taylor Smith found Anele Komani, who played a perfect through-pass for Sabrina McNeill. The left back took a couple of dribbles and played an in-swinging cross for Gourley, who took a touch and fired a shot that just missed the bottom right corner. After a hard-fought half, the two teams went into the halftime break knotted up at 0-0.
The second half got off to the same start as the first half did, powered by strong attacks from Gordon. The dynamic winger earned a corner kick in the 50th minute and nearly gave Fort Lauderdale the lead in the 52nd minute. After a Dallas goal kick, Komani pressed the defense and created a turnover. The midfielder took a shot that just missed the left corner in the 52nd minute.
Gottschalk made another tough save in the 55th minute after the Dallas pressure forced a giveaway inside the FTL box. The reliable keeper routinely came up big for Fort Lauderdale after a through ball came into the box that Gottschalk was able to get a piece of and clear out of the box in the 58th minute.
The first wave of reinforcements entered the game for FTL in the 61st minute, with midfielders Darya Rajaee and Anna Henderson subbing in for Felicia Knox and Smith. Gottschalk continued to make play after play for Fort Lauderdale, and in the 70th minute, a Dallas attacker was played into the box, but an amazing save from Gottschalk kept the game tied at 0-0. The FTL back line continued to deny Dallas of chances and keep the score tied as time went on.
More substitutes made their way onto the pitch with forwards Erica Gomes (75th), Jasmine Hamid (75th) and Cameron Brooks (83rd) entering the match for Gourley, McCain and Gordon. After a through-pass was played behind the FTL defense, Gottschalk saved a shot, but the deflection fell to the foot of a Dallas attacker. Gottschalk made her best effort to get to the bottom right corner, but Dallas would put the ball into the back of the net in the 87th minute and take a 1-0 lead. Fort Lauderdale pressed forward as time expired, but the late goal proved to be too much as the club fell 1-0 at Dallas Trinity FC.
Back in Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the pitch on Saturday, Nov. 9 for the Florida Derby with Tampa Bay Sun FC at home. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST and the match will be streamed on Peacock. Tickets are available for $9.54 and $1 beers will be offered. Secure your ticket now to be a part of reignited history.
Tickets
Season ticket packages for all home matches, as well as single-game tickets can be purchased here. FTL UTD’s next home match is the Florida Derby on Saturday, Nov. 9 with in-state opponent Tampa Bay. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST. Tickets are available for $9.54 and $1 beers will be offered. Secure your ticket now to be a part of reignited history.
Scoring Summary:
DAL: Strawn, 87