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Lexington SC

There’s a chance for some Gainbridge Super League history to be made this Saturday in downtown Tampa. Lexington SC will travel to face reigning champs Tampa Bay Sun FC with a chance to set a league record for the longest undefeated streak at 12 matches. 

The Girls in Green have found their stride and sit in first place in the standings with a comfortable three-point lead and +15 goal differential, but the journey to get here wasn’t easy. 

Lexington was far and away the least successful team in the Super League’s inaugural campaign, finishing in last place with a 4-18-6 record. It was a bit of a surprise when the team came back from a two-goal deficit in its regular season finale against DC Power FC for a 3-3 draw, which is where this undefeated streak started. 

The tides began to change in the offseason when Lexington’s front office began signing some of the best players from around the league, including Player of the Year Emina Ekić. Those signings immediately paid off in the season opener, where again, the team came back from a deficit for a 3-3 draw. Every goal and assist was recorded by a new signing. 

“A moment that has stood out to me this season is our first game,” said Ekić. “We faced a difficult opponent on the road to start the season. That game really defined who we are as a team. Going down two goals and coming back to get a point was huge. We’ve only added to that same grit and mentality.” 

Four of Lexington’s next five outings saw the side produce clean sheets, showing significant defensive improvement from last season, where it ranked last in goals conceded (62) and shutouts (2). And even though three of those matches were scoreless draws, Lexington’s underlying numbers – leading the league with 12.2 Expected Goals in six games – foreshadowed what was to come. 

The floodgates burst open in the 6-1 rout over Dallas Trinity FC, one of the biggest wins in club and league history. A few weeks later, Lexington won 5-1 at home against Fort Lauderdale United FC to take the top spot in the table. 

“[Being at the top of the table] just means we must keep getting better,” midfielder Addie McCain said post-match. “Honestly, we have felt we have had a target on our back, and we will continue to have a target on our back. But we push ourselves every week to be our very best selves, so we have to keep getting better because everyone is going to want to be where we are.” 

McCain was the one to score the 97th-minute equalizer a week prior in a 1-1 draw with reigning Players’ Shield holder Carolina Ascent FC. It was the closest Lexington came to losing during its current run. Since its drubbing of Fort Lauderdale on October 16, the side has been on cruise control, putting up six more goals in two strong wins against Sporting JAX and Brooklyn FC. 

All 11 previous results have led to this Saturday, where Lexington will have to do something it has never done before: beat Tampa Bay. The Sun have not just beaten Lexington in all four previous matches, but they have dominated them, outscoring Lexington 13 goals to four. 

However, that was last season. Six of those 13 goals were scored by players who are no longer on Tampa Bay’s roster. The Sun are currently at the bottom of the table and have earned 11 less points than Lexington in the same number of games. They are on an undefeated run of their own, but with only one win in the six-game streak. 

The Sun does have a strong defensive unit that has looked more cohesive as the season has progressed. However, the team has scored 11 goals to Lexington’s 23. Even if Tampa Bay limits Lexington’s attack, the chances of its own offense getting through Lexington’s backline that has conceded a league-fewest eight goals are pretty slim. 

Whether Lexington sets the new record or Tampa Bay pulls off a historic upset, it’s one match everyone should watch. Tune in this Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.