Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, NC
Kickoff: Saturday, December 20, 2 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear skies, 56°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Carolina (5-4-4) looks to rebound after falling 1-0 to Dallas last week. DC Power (3-5-5) is coming off a 2-2 draw with Lexington.
- Carolina holds a 5-0-1 record against DC Power. The Ascent won 3-2 in their last meeting on October 4 behind goals from Mackenzie George, Maddie Mercado and Alyssa Walker.
- Audrey Harding (CAR) is one away from 10 all-time regular season assists.
- Gianna Gourley (DC) recently moved up to third-most all-time in regular season goals (15). She is currently second in the Golden Boot race with 8 goals this season.
Players to Watch
CAR – Jenna Butler: The center back is the cornerstone of Carolina’s defense, leading the team in clearances and ranking second in blocks. She makes timely tackles and is an aerial threat, making it difficult for teams to get past her on the ground or in the air.
DC – Gianna Gourley: Following her second brace of the season, Gourley moved up third on the all-time scoring list. Twelve of her 15 goals were scored on the road, making her the biggest challenge for Carolina’s defense.
| Carolina Ascent FC | DC Power FC | |
| Head Coach | Philip Poole | Omid Namazi |
| Record | 5-4-4 | 3-5-5 |
| Standings | 3rd | 8th |
Dallas Trinity FC vs. Lexington SC
Venue: Cotton Bowl; Dallas, TX
Kickoff: Saturday, December 20, 3:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 77°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Dallas (6-5-1) most recently won 1-0 against Carolina Ascent. Lexington (5-0-8) drew 2-2 with DC Power last weekend.
- Dallas holds a 4-1-0 record against Lexington. The Girls in Green earned their first win against Dallas in September with a 6-1 result, Lexington’s largest win in club history.
- Lexington is on a 14-match unbeaten streak, drawing in its last three. Dallas has won its last three matches.
- Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) and Emina Ekić (LEX) are one away from 10 all-time regular season assists.
- Addie McCain (LEX) is the all-time league leader with 17 goals.
- Goalkeeper Kat Asman (LEX) is tied for first in the league with five clean sheets.
Players to Watch
DAL – Lexi Missimo: The Texas alum scored her first goal of the season last weekend to earn the 1-0 win over Carolina. Missimo is very clincal in front of goal, and she will be lethal if Dallas’ wingers can find her in the box.
LEX – McKenzie Weinert: Weinert has now scored two goals off the bench this season. Whether she is in the starting lineup or entering as a sub, she brings an attacking energy that might be a problem for Dallas.
| Dallas Trinity FC | Lexington SC | |
| Head Coach | Chris Petrucelli | Masaki Hemmi |
| Record | 6-5-1 | 5-0-8 |
| Standings | 4th | 1st |
Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC
Venue: Hodges Stadium UNF; Jacksonville, FL
Kickoff: Saturday, December 20, 5 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 64°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Sporting JAX (6-3-4) drew 1-1 against Fort Lauderdale last week. Tampa Bay (1-5-7) fell 3-0 to Brooklyn.
- Sporting JAX is 2-0-1 against Tampa Bay this season. Baylee DeSmit, Sophia Boman and Paige Kenton scored in JAX’s 3-0 win on December 6.
- JAX is undefeated in its last four matches (3-0-1).
- Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) leads the Golden Boot race with 10 goals.
- Meg Hughes (JAX) leads the Golden Playmaker race with 5 assists.
Players to Watch
JAX – Sophia Boman: The midfielder controls the game from box to box, and she has shown she can get on the scoresheet from close or long range. In Jacksonville’s last match, Boman won 10 duels, created three chances, and recorded two tackles and two clearances.
TB – McKenzie Pluck: Pluck is an engine for Tampa Bay on both sides of the field. She recorded two tackles and one clearance on the defensive end, while also sending in six crosses and creating two chances in the Sun’s last match.
| Sporting JAX | Tampa Bay Sun FC | |
| Head Coach | Stacey Balaam | Denise Schilte-Brown |
| Record | 6-3-4 | 1-5-7 |
| Standings | 2nd | 9th |
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC
Venue: Beyond Bancard Field; Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kickoff: Saturday, December 20, 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear skies, 74°
Broadcast: Peacocktv.com
Things to Know
- Fort Lauderdale (4-3-6) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Sporting JAX. Spokane (3-6-6) did not compete in Week 15. Its last match was a 1-1 draw against Lexington on December 6.
- FTL has never lost to Spokane, with a record of 2-0-3. FTL won 1-0 when the sides met in Spokane behind a game-winner from Ella Simpson.
- Both teams are on winless streaks. Fort Lauderdale’s last win was on November 8, while Spokane has not won since October 12.
- Goalkeeper Hope Hisey (SPK) is tied for first in the league with five clean sheets. She is one away from 15 all-time.
Players to Watch
FTL – Kelli Van Treeck: The outside back is not afraid to get into Fort Lauderdale’s attack, shown last week by her fourth goal of the season. However, she still dominates on the defensive end, recording four tackles, one clearance and an interception in the match as well.
SPK – Emma Jaskaniec: Jaskaniec has moved more into an attacking role while Ally Cook has been out with an injury. In Spokane’s last match, Jaskaniec had six shots and two chances created along with her goal in the 1-1 draw.
| Fort Lauderdale United FC | Spokane Zephyr FC | |
| Head Coach | Ali Rogers | Nicole Lukic |
| Record | 4-3-6 | 3-6-6 |
| Standings | 5th | 7th |