CHARLOTTE, NC (May 14, 2026) – In a blockbuster matchup to close the regular season, Carolina Ascent takes on Sporting JAX at American Legion Memorial Stadium Saturday night in a potential playoff preview. Here is all you need to know.
Match Details
Date: May 16
When: 7:00 PM
Where: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Opponent: Sporting JAX
Watch: Peacock and TV64
Tickets:
Know Before You Go
League Standing
- Carolina Ascent FC: 14-7-6 (3rd Place – 48 points)
- Last Time Out: 3-0 win at Fort Lauderdale United FC on May 9
- Sporting JAX: 16-6-5 (1st Place – 53 points)
- Last Time Out: 1-0 win at DC Power on May 6
The Ascent continue to be the hottest team in the league, having won their last five matches and going ten unbeaten. Carolina’s current winning and undefeated streaks are each one result from equaling the club’s record marks, having logged a six-game winning streak between March 23-April 26, 2025 and an 11-game undefeated streak between Aug. 17-Nov. 9, 2024.
Head-To-Head
- The Ascent have taken two points from their three matchups with Jacksonville, holding a 0-1-2 record.
- September 13: Carolina Ascent overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw at Sporting Jax. Maddie Mercado and Alyssa Walker bagged the two goals for the Ascent, who overcame a 0-2 deficit at halftime.
- September 28: Carolina Ascent fell in a seven-goal thriller in the second game of the series, losing to Sporting Jax 4-3 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Jacksonville’s Ashlyn Puerta’s first half hat-trick was enough as Mackenzie George scored a second-half brace to bring the Ascent back into the game.
- January 31: Carolina Ascent lost on a last-minute winner in the first match of the Spring schedule 1-0 at Sporting Jax. Jacksonville’s Jade Pennock scored in the 87th minute to steal all three points.
Playoff Positioning
This game could prove to be a pivotal one in the grand scheme of where things fall after Saturday.
- Sporting JAX will clinch the Players’ Shield with a win/draw OR a Lexington SC draw/loss vs. Tampa Bay Sun
- Carolina Ascent FC will clinch a top-two finish with a win AND a Lexington loss vs. Tampa
- Should the Ascent win AND Lexington defeats Tampa, Lexington will win the Players’ Shield.
Players to Watch
- Mia Corbin recorded a goal and assist in the 3-0 win against Fort Lauderdale United and became the second player in Super League history to record 20 goal contributions for a single club, recording 16 goals and five assists over the club’s first two seasons.
- Puerta enters Saturday’s contest with 19 goal contributions this season, recording 12 goals and seven assists in the campaign. She has recorded seven goals and five assists in 12 road appearances this season as she looks to become the second player to record 20 goal contributions in a regular season campaign.
