The final match day of the Gainbridge Super League’s Fall Schedule is here, and it’s sure to be a good one. Streaks are at stake, and the standings can be shaken up heading into the break. Here’s one thing to watch for in all four matches.
Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC: Which team overcomes its struggles
The first match of the day might be determined by which team fixes the biggest challenge it has dealt with this season: Carolina’s offense or DC’s defense.
Ascent was on fire in 2024/25, leading the league in goals and shot conversion rate while ranking third in shooting accuracy. When Carolina got into the final third, it was almost expected that the team would score or at least carve out a good opportunity. This season, the team is second in shots but sits in the bottom half of the league in shots on target, shooting accuracy and shot conversion. Carolina has out-shot its opponent in all but one of its 13 matches but has just five wins.
Fortunately for the Charlotte side, DC Power has not excelled defensively lately. The team has just one clean sheet, the fewest in the league, while conceding 19 goals. Last week, the team allowed Lexington to equalize twice in a match that was DC’s for the taking. Power FC has dropped six points from winning positions, which would have the team in third place instead of eighth. If DC can remain disciplined defensively on Saturday, it could be the key to the team getting its first win against Carolina.
Dallas Trinity FC vs. Lexington SC: Can Dallas score first and defend late?
It’s the three-match winning streak against the 14-match unbeaten streak when Dallas takes on Lexington this Saturday. Lexington is still at the top of the table, but three consecutive draws have shown that this team has flaws Dallas can overcome. Against both Spokane and DC Power, Lexington conceded first but exploited defensive mistakes to equalize.
Dallas is 5-0-1 when scoring first, and in four of those matches, the opening goal came in the first 30 minutes. Going ahead against Lexington will be one half of the battle, but the challenge will be on the defensive end. In Dallas’ last two matches, it allowed just one goal despite facing 40 shots and 13 on target. If the hosts can put together another strong performance like those, they might be the first to take down the Girls in Green this season.
Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC: How Tampa Bay responds to adversity
It’ll be the fourth time we’ve seen this matchup this season, and Sporting JAX has had Tampa Bay’s number most times. Jacksonville secured 3-2 and 3-0 wins, and in the one draw, it looked like the Sun might get all three points before an Ashlyn Puerta strike in the 83rd minute. How Tampa Bay comes out of the gate on Saturday, and how it responds to adversity within the match, will impact the outcome.
The Sun are coming off back-to-back 3-0 losses – only the second time in Super League history a team has suffered consecutive three-goal shutout defeats. In both matches, they conceded twice in a short timeframe, which shifted the momentum, and they were never able to recover. However, in the prior match against Lexington, Tampa Bay equalized two minutes after conceding and thwarted the Girls in Green for the rest of the night. If Tampa Bay finds itself in a hole or if the shots aren’t falling on Saturday, how will it respond to earn a result?
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC: Who will step up for each team
Unlike Sporting JAX, DC Power and Lexington, Fort Lauderdale and Spokane don’t have top scorers who are expected to be on the scoresheet nearly every match. Zephyr has been without Ally Cook since October due to injury, and FTL UTD hasn’t seen the same offensive production it did last season with its big three of Jasmine Hamid, Kiara Locklear and Addie McCain. While the uncertainty of not knowing who will find the back of the net brings excitement, there also seems to be discontinuity among both teams’ attacks.
Spokane has been shut out three times and scored just twice in its last five matches. Fort Lauderdale’s last three goals have come from defenders getting on the end of set pieces. The forwards on both teams need to find their strides in order to close out the Fall with a win.