Fall season gets underway with full four-game slate as Lexington SC begins title defense at home
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into this weekend’s Week 1 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
The new season kicks off with all eight teams in action as reigning champion Lexington SC kicks off at home, and two teams that have undergone major offseason changes in Dallas Trinity FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC meet aiming to hit the ground running.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Dallas Trinity FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC
It’s been a summer of changes at both Dallas Trinity FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC, with Trinity being acquired by the ownership group that operates 2027 USL Championship expansion club Atlético Dallas and both teams making roster moves aimed at pushing them into contention during the upcoming fall season.
We’ll get our first look at how those changes have impacted both squads on the opening night of the campaign as Trinity hosts Tampa Bay Sun FC at the Cotton Bowl (8:30 p.m. ET | Peacock).
- UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP: The announcement in late June that Atlético Dallas had acquired Trinity added to what was already shaping up to be an offseason of change for the club. Following the retirement of ironwoman Amber Wisner and other departures such as Allie Thornton, Trinity was headed toward a refresh of its roster. Currently the side is set to return players who recorded 36.2% of its available minutes in the 2025/26 season, with Cyara Hintzen accounting for almost one quarter of that total.
- GOING TO MARKET: The club’s transition also saw a change on the sidelines with former Reign FC assistant Lee Nguyen being appointed as Head Coach after the departure of Nathan Thackeray. The former United States Men’s National Team player has since been able to influence the new squad, including a collection of loan arrivals that include goalkeeper Neeku Purcell and attacking midfielder Sofia Cedeño coming with Nguyen from Reign FC.
- SHIFTING GEARS: At Tampa Bay the changes haven’t been quite as dramatic, but the 2024/25 title-winners have introduced plenty of new faces as they seek a rebound campaign after struggling in the attacking third during the past campaign. In addition to returning players such as Vivianne Bessett, Jordyn Listro and Sydny Nasello, the Sun have brought aboard new attacking pieces in Kenna White (Melbourne Victory) and Eleanor Dale (Sunderland) to try and boost their production.
With the nature of the 14-game home-and-home regular season amping up the pressure on every game, both Dallas and Tampa Bay will be eager to get out to a fast start.
For fans of both clubs and neutrals, their first proper viewing of the new-look squads should be a fascinating exercise.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
DC Power FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- DC Power’s push for a first postseason berth faded at the last in the 2025/26 campaign, but the potential the side possessed following the midseason addition of players like Alyssa Walker showed the potential for Head Coach Omid Namazi’s side to be a contender. This summer’s additions – including forward Tyler Lussi – have added to that belief, but DC’s credentials will get a strong first test from 2025/26 Finalist Carolina Ascent FC, which not only returns the majority of its squad from a season ago – including All-League selections Jill Aguilera and Mackenzie George – but also added two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Hope Hisey and fellow All-League selection Reese Tappan to the back line. As DC’s Lussi faces her former club, the Power will want to get out to a strong start on home turf while seeking their first win against Carolina in the overall series.
Lexington SC vs. Brooklyn FC (7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Reigning titleholders Lexington SC kicks off its defense on home turf with most of its roster from a breakthrough campaign returning as it hosts Brooklyn FC at Lexington SC Stadium. The Girls in Green suffered only three defeats a season ago as Catherine Barry set a single-season record with 16 goals to lead the attack while the back line conceded only 24 times in 28 regular season games, with All-League selections Allison Pantuso, Taylor Aylmer and Addie McCain all part of the returning squad. Brooklyn has seen some notable changes this summer, including the appointment of former Brisbane Roar Head Coach Alex Smith on the sideline, and its new additions – including Boston Legacy FC loanee Sophia Lowenberg – will be aiming to try and spring a major upset to kick off the campaign.
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Sporting Club Jacksonville kicks off its second campaign looking to build on the success of its first as it visits a Fort Lauderdale United FC side aiming to rebound from a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. United will see a familiar face return to the sidelines with Tyrone Mears back at the helm after leading the club to the 2025 Super League Final, and the side has brought in some potential impact-makers during the summer in former Duke standout Farrah Walters and experienced playmaker Grace Cutler. The hosts will have their work cut out for them, though, with Jacksonville returning the bulk of its title-contending squad, including the trio of reigning Player of the Year Ashlyn Puerta, Baylee DeSmit and Paige Kenton, each of whom recorded double-digit goals last season. Sporting JAX has yet to lose to either of its Sunshine State rivals and will be aiming to get its new campaign off to a strong start.
3. Kit of the Week – Carolina Ascent FC’s Ridge Kit
Carolina Ascent FC will debut its new Ridge Kit as it heads on the road to face DC Power FC on Saturday night with the design inspired by the ridge lines that define the Carolinas and the region’s iconic Blue Ridge Mountains.
4. Landmark of the Week – Lexington SC’s Allison Pantuso
The 2025/26 All-League selection could become just the second player to log 5,000 regular season minutes in the Super League’s history as LSC hosts Brooklyn FC, joining former Dallas Trinity FC star Amber Wisner in reaching the landmark.
Check out Week 1’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Saturday
DC Power FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Lexington SC vs. Brooklyn FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Dallas Trinity FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 8:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)