Fort Lauderdale United FC celebrates home inaugural match with victory
The Fort Lauderdale United FC beat Brooklyn FC 1-0 at their home inaugural match.
Fort Lauderdale United FC teammates (Blue) celebrate their first goal with Reese Klein, who scored at their new stadium on the inaugural night Sunday, Oct. 6. Photo | Gasner Delvarin Jr.
Klaue St Fort
October 7, 2024
Davie, Fla. — Fort Lauderdale United FC (FTL UTD) won its inaugural home opener on Sunday evening, defeating the previously unbeaten Brooklyn FC 1-0. The victory marked the team’s third consecutive win, bringing their overall record to 3-1-1.
Despite inclement weather conditions, Fort Lauderdale United displayed a solid performance in front of their home fans at the newly opened stadium.
With this victory, FTL UTD FC climbed into second place in the USL Super League standings with 10 points, trailing only Carolina Ascent FC, who leads the league with 12 points.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn FC suffered their first defeat of the season and succumbed to Fort Lauderdale United FC to third place in the standings based on goal difference.
FTL UTD began the match with early dominance, led by Sh’Nia Gordon on the attacking left wing.
In the third minute, Gordon generated the first significant opportunity with a low cross to the far post inside the penalty area, where Felicia Knox, on a second attempt, received the pass but shot wide of the right post.
Brooklyn FC created a few chances in the first half, as one came in the 13th minute when Samantha Kroeger fired a shot from approximately 25 yards out. However, the FTL UTD goalkeeper, Cosette Morche, made a comfortable save. Despite this, Gordon continued to lead the attack, frequently breaking through the defense of Brooklyn and coming close to scoring.
In the 19th minute, Gordon made a deep run into the penalty box after outpacing a defender on the left wing, but Brooklyn goalkeeper Neeku Purcell denied her goal attempt.
Three minutes later, Gordon had another opportunity, receiving a through ball on the left side and cutting into the edge of the penalty area. However, her shot again failed to find the back of the net.
Brooklyn FC, anchored by Purcell, successfully kept FTL UTD scoreless throughout the first half.
Early in the second half, Fort Lauderdale created another opportunity in the 50th minute when Jasmine Hamid, after a one-two pass with Knox, got behind the defense and entered the penalty area but shot straight at the goalkeeper.
As the game progressed, both teams exchanged goal-scoring opportunities. However, Fort Lauderdale seemed the more likely to break the deadlock.
In the 82nd minute, following a partially cleared corner kick from Taylor Smith, the ball bounced to the top of the 18-yard, where substitute defender Reese Klein struck a powerful shot into the top left corner, giving FTL UTD a 1-0 lead.
Brooklyn FC pressed for a late equalizer, but Fort Lauderdale United FC held firm, securing a victory in their inaugural home game.
FTL UTD will next face Tampa Bay Sun FC on the road on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7:00 p.m. EST.
FTL UTD | Brooklyn FC | USLs | Sports | Gasner Delvarin Jr.