CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolina Ascent wrap up a two-match homestand when Fort Lauderdale United comes to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The Ascent are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Sun in the home opener on August 29th. Here is all you need to know ahead of the matchup.
MATCH DETAILS
WHEN: Saturday, September 5
TIME: 7:00 PM
WHO: Fort Lauderdale United FC
WHERE: American Legion Memorial Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
WATCH: Peacock, WCCB
SALUTE TO SERVICE
September 5 | 7 PM
Starting at $15
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Your one-stop-shop for everything pre-game, in-game, and after the match Saturday.
FOLLOW THE GAME
Receive match notifications on our app!
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- 2025/26 Season: The teams split the four-match season series last year, with both teams earning a win and two draws from the contests.
- Matchups:
- Aug. 30, 2025 – Fort Lauderdale United 2-2 Carolina Ascent (Mercado 1′, Coleman 90+1′)
- Nov. 8, 2025 – Carolina Ascent 0-1 Fort Lauderdale United
- Mar. 28, 2026 – Carolina Ascent 1-1 Fort Lauderdale United (Corbin 65′)
- May 9, 2026 – Fort Lauderdale United 0-3 Carolina Ascent (George 63′, Corbin 77′, Lussi 82′)
- Matchups:
- All-Time
- Carolina Ascent holds a 3-4-2 record against Fort Lauderdale United all-time.
TRIPPED UP BY TAMPA BAY
After winning two road games to open up the season, the Ascent dropped a hotly-contested match in the home opener to the Tampa Bay Sun. The Sun earned an early penalty when Erika Zschuppe was taken down in the box after receiving a pass right on the edge of the box. Shea Connors stepped up and calmly placed her spot kick in the bottom right corner to put Tampa Bay up in the 24′. The visitors carried that lead into halftime. The Ascent started to build up momentum on the other side of the break and finally broke through in the 68th minute. Jill Aguilera placed a beautiful corner kick on the head of Reese Tappan, who nodded home her first of the season from the edge of the six-yard box to even things up for the hosts. However, Tampa jumped back in front seven minutes later when Darya Rajaee found Sydny Nasello in the center of the box. Nasello placed her finish through traffic into the side netting just inside of the right post to earn Tampa’s first win of the season, 2-1.
This was the Ascent’s first loss at home since February 14 of last season, when they fell 2-0 to Spokane Zephyr FC.
THORNS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SIDES
Both clubs have forwards on the roster that have enjoyed success against their opponents. Kiara Locklear has six goals in the nine matches between the two sides for Fort Lauderdale. Meanwhile, Mia Corbin has five goals in those nine contests, including two in last year’s season series.
CLIMBING INTO THE AUGUST TEAM OF THE MONTH
Three Carolina Ascent players have been named to the Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month for August. Reese Tappan, Sydney Martinez, and Addisyn Merrick were all recognized by the league for their stellar performances that lead the Ascent to a 2-1-0 record in the opening month of the 2026 season. The three selections rank second-most in the league this month, trailing only Sporting JAX who had four players selected.
SCOUTING FORT LAUDERDALE
Fort Lauderdale United has competed in two defensive struggles so far this season, coming out with a win and a loss.
They opened up their season hosting in-state rivals Sporting Jax, and dropped all three points after a 89′ winner from league-leading goalscorer Baylee DeSmit secured the victory for the visitors. They rebounded with a win last Friday, as a Nicole Vernis strike less than 30 seconds into the 2nd half lifted Fort Lauderdale over the visiting Brooklyn FC. They now head to Carolina for their first away match of the season against a motivated Carolina Ascent side looking to rebound from a disappointing home opener.
Kelsey Oyler was named to the Gainbridge Super League Team of the Month for August after a strong first month for the South Florida-based side.
