FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Ahead of its matchup with DC Power FC (2-6-4, 10 PTS) on Saturday evening, Fort Lauderdale United FC (3-4-2, 11 PTS) manager Tyrone Mears has named his initial XI for the duel. The gaffer made a single change, inserting Jasmine Hamid into the starting lineup for Sabrina McNeill. Saturday’s matchup is the second of the season between the two teams, with the first meeting taking place in D.C. on September 13. Goals from Addie McCain and Hamid powered Fort Lauderdale to a 2-0 road victory for the inaugural win in club history. Earning a point in the Florida Derby snapped a three-match losing streak, and the club will be looking to add to its point total on Saturday evening.
After an impressive 5-save debut last match, goalkeeper Heather Hinz will retain her spot in the net. The defensive line remains unchanged, with Cameron Brooks, Celia Gaynor and Laveni Vaka forming the reliable center back trio. The creative quartet of midfielders consists of Darya Rajaee on the left, Felicia Knox and McCain in the middle and Taylor Smith along the right side. The duo of Hamid (LW) and Sh’Nia Gordon (RW) come together to make up one of the most dangerous, dynamic outside attacks in the USL. The lone striker is Erica Gomes, making her second start of the season.
After making the switch to a 3-4-3 shape for the Florida Derby last match, Mears has opted to keep the same formation for Saturday’s matchup. The formation change sparked the club out of a three-match losing streak, and it will look to be the start of a points streak for Fort Lauderdale. Keeping the creative duo of Knox and McCain central should help the club retain possession and maintain its dominance centrally. The return of Hamid combined with the electric Gordon opposite of her should wreak havoc on the opposing back line. The formation should help the club to maintain possession at a high rate, and the new shape could be what helps thrust FTL into a much-needed win streak.
FTL UTD XI: GK Hinz, DF Brooks, DF Vaka, DF Gaynor, MF Rajaee, MF Smith, MF McCain, MF Knox, FW Hamid, FW Gomes, FW Gordon
SUBS: DF Klein, DF Allen, MF McNeill, FW Gomes, FW Fung, FW Gourley, FW Henderson