Carolina Ascent FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 82°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Carolina Ascent FC (0-0-3) enter the match after a week off, on the back of their third-consecutive draw, 2-2 against Sporting JAX on September 13th. Spokane Zephyr FC (1-2-3) come into the match after earning a second-consecutive clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Lexington SC last weekend.
- Carolina has never lost to Spokane and earned a 3-0-1 record against them last season. The Ascent won 3-0 the last time the teams met on April 19 behind a brace from Eli Hutchinson and a goal from Mia Corbin.
- Maddie Mercado (CAR) will tie the record for most consecutive matches with a goal if she scores against Spokane on Wednesday.
- A draw or loss for Carolina on Wednesday would tie a club record for longest winless streak at four matches.
- Riley Parker (CAR) will face off against her University of Alabama teammate Felicia Knox (SPK).
- Jill Aguilera (CAR) will face off against her University of Arkansas teammate Hope Hisey (SPK).
- Meaghan Nally (CAR) will face off against her Odense Boldklub Q teammate Madelyn Desiano (SPK).
- Orlando Pride loanees Brianna Martinez (CAR) and Aryssa Mahrt (SPK) will face off against each other.
- Seattle Reign loanees Maddie Mercado (CAR) and Olivia Van der Jagt (SPK) will face off against each other.
Players to Watch
CAR – Alyssa Walker: The forward brings attacking prowess into her first season with the Ascent, and she proved to already be a difference-maker earlier this month. She scored the critical equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Sporting JAX less than a minute after subbing into the match.
SPK – Reese Tappan: The former Washington State defender is one to watch as this Spokane defense is starting to click. Tappan currently leads the league in passes (316) and ranks second in clearances (32) while maintaining 82% passing accuracy.
| Carolina Ascent FC | Spokane Zephyr FC | |
| Head Coach | Phillip Poole | Josh McAllister (interim) |
| Record | 0-0-3 | 1-2-3 |
| Standings | 8th | 5th |
Lexington SC vs. Dallas Trinity FC
Venue: Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY
Kickoff: Friday, September 26, 6:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 73°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Both teams enter on the backs of draws, Lexington SC (1-0-3) enters the match following a 0-0 draw with Spokane Zephyr and Dallas Trinity FC (3-1-1) enters after a 1-1 draw with Tampa Bay Sun.
- Dallas has won all four previous meetings against Lexington. Trinity won 3-1 when the teams last met on April 26 behind goals from Tamara, Sealey Strawn and Allie Thornton.
- Lexington is currently on a four-match undefeated streak and has recorded three consecutive clean sheets. Meanwhile, Dallas has not been shutout so far this season.
- Allison Pantuso (LEX) will face off against her former Brooklyn FC teammate Caroline Kelly (DAL).
- Wayny Balata (DAL) will face off against her former Spokane Zephyr teammates Emina Ekić, Alyssa Bourgeois and Taylor Aylmer (LEX).
- Bourgeois will also face off against Camryn Lancaster (DAL), after the two played together for California Storm in the USL W League.
Players to Watch
LEX – Kat Asman: The former Penn State Nittany Lion has led Lexington in goal this season, recording three clean sheets and 10 saves to keep the Girls in Green undefeated through its first four matches.
DAL – Chioma Ubogagu: Ubogagu has continued to be a critical playmaker up top for Dallas in her second season. The winger has recorded two assists, 17 crosses and created eight chances to contribute to the Trinity’s strong start to the campaign.
| Lexington SC | Dallas Trinity FC | |
| Head Coach | Masaki Hemmi | Chris Petrucelli |
| Record | 1-0-3 | 3-1-1 |
| Standings | 4th | 1st |
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Sporting JAX
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: Sunday, September 28, 2:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 78°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Sunday’s match will be Carolina Ascent’s (0-0-3) second of the week after facing Spokane Zephyr on Wednesday. Sporting JAX (1-2-1) returns to action after having Week 5 off.
- The teams met on September 13, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) and Maddie Kemp (JAX) got on the board first before Maddie Mercado and Alyssa Walker equalized for Carolina.
- Both teams will be looking to claim their first clean sheet of the season.
Players to Watch
CAR – Mackenzie George: Last season’s All-League Second Team selection has brought her attacking and playmaking skills to Carolina this season, most recently notching an assist on the critical equalizer to earn a point in the 2-2 draw with Sporting JAX.
JAX – Julia Lester: The former Florida Gator is a consistent steady presence in Jacksonville’s midfield as one of four players on the team to play all 360 minutes. Lester has recorded two assists, five chances created and 11 crosses for the expansion side.
| Carolina Ascent FC | Sporting JAX | |
| Head Coach | Phillip Poole | Stacey Balaam |
| Record | 0-0-3 | 1-2-1 |
| Standings | 8th | 7th |
Brooklyn FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC
Venue: Maimonides Park; Brooklyn, NY
Kickoff: Sunday, September 28, 3:00 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear, 72°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Fort Lauderdale United FC (2-0-2) returns to action after having last Matchweek 5 off, while Brookyln FC (1-2-2) enters the match following last week’s 2-2 draw with DC Power.
- The all-time series record is split with both teams having two wins against each other. Brooklyn won 4-1 behind goals from Jess Garziano, Caroline Kelly and Hope Breslin when the teams last met on May 3.
- Fort Lauderdale is undefeated through its first four matches and has won its last two.
- Brooklyn is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
Players to Watch
BKN – Kelsey Hill: The captain played a role in Brooklyn’s impressive second half come-back last week in the 2-2 draw against DC Power by scoring her first goal for the team. Hill also continues to dominate on the defensive end, ranking first on the team in minutes (450) and passing accuracy (86%) and second in clearances (24).
FTL– Kelli Van Treeck: The former Lipscomb Bison has fit right in with Fort Lauderdale’s lethal attacking unit. Van Treeck has started every game so far this season and notched a brace to secure her side a 4-1 win over previously undefeated Dallas Trinity.
| Brooklyn FC | Fort Lauderdale United FC | |
| Head Coach | Tomás Tengarrinha | Ali Rogers |
| Record | 1-2-2 | 2-0-2 |
| Standings | 6th | 2nd |