Of the nine Gainbridge Super League clubs, Lexington SC and Fort Lauderdale United FC are the last two standing without a loss in the 2025/26 season. One of those undefeated runs could come to an end tonight when the sides face off against each other at Lexington SC Stadium.
After a high-scoring draw in their first meeting this season, and with the chance to take over the No. 1 spot in the standings, tonight’s matchup is highly anticipated for both teams.
Here’s why you need to tune in at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
- SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM: Lexington and Fort Lauderdale began their unbeaten streaks against each other in a 3-3 draw in South Florida. After FTL UTD took a two-goal lead just before the hour-mark, the Girls in Green scored three unanswered goals – two of which were set up by Emina Ekić on her debut for the club – and took complete control of the match. But the script was flipped in the 90th minute when a penalty kick for Fort Lauderdale resulted in Jasmine Hamid converting from the spot to spoil Lexington’s comeback.
- FAMILIAR FOES: Former FTL midfielders Addie McCain and Tati Fung will once again face their old teammates having joined Lexington this summer. McCain, Fort Lauderdale’s lone All-League First Team selection last season, leads Lexington with four goals, one of which came against her former club. Fung has started every match for Lexington this season, which has seen her already surpass her minutes total with Fort Lauderdale in 24/25.
- FIGHT FOR FIRST: Fort Lauderdale and Lexington are currently second and third in the league standings behind first-place Spokane Zephyr FC. A win for either team would not only catapult them into the top spot with multiple games in hand over Spokane but also create separation from fourth-placed Sporting JAX, which has won two of its last three matches.
This season has been a complete 180 for Lexington compared to its previous campaign, specifically defensively. The team conceded a league-high 62 goals last season, whereas its five goals allowed are currently the fewest through the first two months of this season. Goalkeeper Kat Asman has already doubled the number of clean sheets the team earned in 24/25, and the quartet of intraleague transfers Alyssa Bourgeois and Allison Pantuso and new signings Hannah Sharts and Hannah Johnson has proven to be quite a formidable backline.
Offensively, though, Lexington has been inconsistent. Aside from the lopsided 6-1 win against Dallas Trinity FC in late September, LSC has scored just one goal in its last five matches.
On the other side, Fort Lauderdale has no problem finding the back of the net. Before its last scoreless draw against Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale had not been shut out in its last 14 regular season matches. Even with the team’s leading scorers from last year Hamid off to a slow start and McCain joining the opposition, it is still finding ways to convert.
That’s been in large part because of Kiara Locklear, who continues to devastate defenses with her speed and scoring versatility. Stella Nyamekye and Darya Rajaee, meanwhile, each scored off direct free kicks. Defender Ella Simpson headed in two goals from set pieces. Lexington will need to be wary of every FTL player because none of them are afraid to shoot.
Thursday night’s battle, and potentially the end of an undefeated streak, might just come down to which is better: Lexington’s defense or Fort Lauderdale’s offense.