Home vs. FLOOTD Preview
Date: Saturday April 5, 2025
Kickoff Time: 7:00 pm EST at Riverfront Stadium in Tampa, FL
Records: Tampa Bay Sun (27 pts 6W-9D-5L); Fort Lauderdale United FC (32 pts 9W-5D-5L)
Standings: The Sun are 5th in the Super League and FLOOTD are 3rd.
Once more the Sun will take on their fellow Floridians Fort Lauderdale United. Aside from their name being a mouthful, they’ve become more than a thorn in the side of Tampa Bay. Three prior draws have left this derby game wide open for future bragging rights. Telling the USL Super League Florida is Blue and Gold would be sweet; but, taking three points off of United would be even sweeter. Get to the game this weekend and help cheer your side on to victory!
… Are we headed for another draw?
The first two fixtures between these teams needed stoppage time equalizers to split the points. It was FLOOTD back in November who scored late, while Tampa Bay played the spoiler back in February. That match was supposed to take place in 2024; however, storms got in the way and pushed it back. The recent match in early March had no late fireworks – at least not on the scoresheet.
It would hardly be surprising, then, if yet one more tie was on the cards. Looking objectively, though, one needs to consider the differing fortunes for these two teams. Tampa Bay have won just once in 2025, losing once and drawing every other game. Fort Lauderdale haven’t lost in that same time, taking three points on three occasions and splitting points on three others.
For a little while, this record had FLOOTD at the top of the Super League table. Carolina is back there now, for what it’s worth; but, United are only two points back with two (!) games in hand. The Sun, on the other hand, are struggling to break into the top four and thus give themselves a shot at the playoffs. The post season schedule is out now, making all the more real the time constraints they’re under.
Fort Lauderdale’s recent form is down to some very smart business done over the recent winter break. Mentioned in this column previously is the attacking unit for United. When Jorian Baucom was signed from DC Power, many expected her to lead the line. Instead, it’s been Kiara Locklear who joined right out of college that has turned heads and raised eyebrows up top.
Locklear only has one goal – a winner against the Ascent in March; but, she has four assists already. This tally goes well with the fearsome trio behind her of Jasmine Hamid, Addie McCain, and Sh’Nia Gordon. That group has 19 goals (!!!) and another seven assists altogether. They are formidable, and manager Tyrone Mears has found a recipe for repeatable chance creation.
The other new standout is another player right out of college. Former Wake Forest defender Laurel Ansbrow has stepped into the starting lineup and boosted Fort Lauderdale at the back, limiting opponents to four goals in her six games as a professional. This is especially good considering her original partner, Laveni Vaka, is currently out for the season with a knee injury.
So, that’s it, then? Just the strong attack and the possibly stronger defense? No problem for the Sun at home! But, of course, Tampa Bay have not been as rock-solid at the Riverfront as fans would hope. Their last home game, a loss to Spokane, inspired little confidence in the backline. It is possible a formational change would allow them to better handle FLOOTD’s front four.
At the other end, striker Tash Flint has been scoring in bunches of late, with Cecilie Floe chipping in at times, too. A game with longer balls to the Sun attackers may not work: Ansbrow has good height, and it’s likely she would feel at home defending them. Similarly, pinning Gordon and Hamid back with defensive work would help the beleaguered Tampa Bay goal.
Whether or not the team makes any changes to handle their rivals is up to manager Denise Schilte-Brown. She has moved on from her original plan to adopt a three-at-the-back system that includes wingbacks. In moments, this has looked suitable to her squad. However, the constant draws could change her mind again. Either way, DSB has a lot on her plate before Saturday.
Score Predictions from the RBLR Sun Podcast:
Lizzie: 2-1 W
Tom: 2-1 W
Yurika: 2-1 W
James: 2-2 D
