Rallying to post a 1-1 draw with Tampa Bay Sun FC last Saturday further solidified Fort Lauderdale United FC’s position as one of the most composed and resilient clubs in the Gainbridge Super League.
Facing an opponent that had just one win headed into the matchup, clearly Fort Lauderdale was looking for more than a tie at Beyond Bancard Field. But rivalries are often tougher than meets the eye, and Tampa Bay came to play in a matchup that was dubbed The Florida Derby.
The decision gave Fort Lauderdale a 4-5-1 record, with 17 points. It was the club’s fifth tie of the season and assured that coach Ali Rogers’ team has earned points in all but two of its 11 matches. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay fell to 1-6-2.
“Overall, the girls played well. If we had found the back of the net earlier, I strongly believe the floodgates would have opened,” Rogers said after the match. “It was just one of those. We kept knocking. … But it’s a cruel sport, not going to lose focus. It was a good game for us. Couldn’t find the back of the net, but we’re knocking and it’s going to come and it’s going to flow, and the girls deserve three points. Honestly, they at least deserve the one, but that just speaks to our character.”
Fort Lauderdale defender Madison McComasky accounted for the team’s offense, scoring her first goal, as the hosts proved it’s never over until it’s over. Even when it seemed like the game was slipping away.
“When we went down one-nil, we had momentum for a majority of the game. So, I don’t think we really showed that we were stressed out or anything,” McComasky said. “We were going to fight to the end no matter what. We had a majority of the ball, majority of the shots, so you know, to just get it out right at the end. I think it was a good one point, but we didn’t want to fight for the three points.”
The game started with the intensity that defines this rivalry. The first half was scoreless, although Fort Lauderdale controlled the pace, with 57.7% possession to Tampa Bay’s 42.3%. Even with the edge, the game remained both close and intense, with each team building its own momentum in a back-and-forth first 45 minutes.
“I say it all the time. Our team is relentless. We have this character about us. We show up every single day,” Rogers said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a recovery day, their mentality, it’s top notch. It’s exactly what I expect from this team. And we’re looking at the big photo right now, and yeah, we didn’t find the back of the net as much as we wanted to. We created a lot of opportunities. We were essentially in our attacking half the entire game. And it’s going to come, and it’ll flow wholeheartedly. Just have to believe in it and just keep moving the needle for it every day.”
Tampa Bay’s second-half penalty goal altered the narrative and provided a rare threat in a game in which Fort Lauderdale dominated for long periods. However, the response was swift and confident. The team continued to push further, dominated possession and applied consistent pressure until McComasky’s turning point.
The Sydney, Australia native, who played collegiately at Incarnate Word, followed up on forward Kiara Locklear’s late shot and struck the rebound in the 90th minute.
“I honestly didn’t expect it, but, you know, I saw Kiara going for the shot, and I was like, ‘Look, just follow it up to the end’,” McComasky said. “Look, I’m really happy to get my first goal for the team. Do I wish it was the three points? Yeah, but, you know, I’ll take the one point, sure.”
All told, Ft. Lauderdale’s performance was consistent with its season-long progression. The club maintained its foundation, dominated possession and continued to create clear opportunities under pressure.
It’s that type of consistency that will be an essential factor the rest of the way. Fort Lauderdale, which enters play this weekend in second place behind Lexington SC, will take on Sporting JAX at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
With the team exhibiting confidence, control and late-game discipline, the emphasis now shifts towards converting possession domination into the full three points that were just missed last week.
