Carolina Ascent hosts Tampa Bay Sun in home opener; DC Power visits Lexington aiming to make statement against defending titleholders
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into this weekend’s Week 3 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
This weekend features a four-game slate that kicks off on Friday night with Fort Lauderdale United FC hosting Brooklyn FC, and there are some intriguing contests otherwise as Tampa Bay Sun FC tries to turn positive early performances into a result at Carolina Ascent FC, and a test of DC Power FC’s credentials away at the defending titleholders Lexington SC.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Carolina Ascent FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC
The first Gainbridge Super League Game of the Month sees Carolina Ascent FC host its home opener against Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium (7 p.m. ET | Peacock) with the hosts aiming to build on their road success to start the season against the Super League’s inaugural champions.
With Ascent and Sporting Club Jacksonville already each on six points, even at this stage of the fall schedule there will be some standings pressure for Tampa Bay to turn the tide in the series’ recent history.
- ROAD TESTED: Carolina (2-0-0, 6pts) picked up the new season where it left off at the end of the 2025/26 regular season, earning two victories on the road against DC Power FC and Dallas Trinity FC. Central to that success has been the side’s attacking efficiency – Ascent ranks second in the league with a 25% shot conversion rate and has put 11 of 17 shots on target – and a stellar opening to the campaign by goalkeeper Sydney Martinez, who has recorded 11 saves and conceded only once to keep summer addition Hope Hisey on the sidelines for now.
- POSITIVE VIBES: Tampa Bay (0-1-1, 1pt) hasn’t earned the results it was hoping for yet after its summer roster moves, but the club’s performances have offered the potential for optimism the side can contend for a postseason return. The Sun have accumulated 4.49 Expected Goals across two games this season, but found the net only twice while ranking second in the league with 32 shots and tied for first with 12 shots on target. If Tampa Bay can maintain that level of creativity, it should result in goals sooner rather than later.
- BEAT THE STREAK: The series between Ascent and the Sun has been a quirky one. Initially, Tampa Bay couldn’t lose, going undefeated in the opening five meetings between the clubs. More recently, though, the tide has turned in favor of Carolina, which has taken three consecutive wins to turn a five-game winless streak against the Sun into a five-game undefeated run since their 1-0 win on March 12, the last time the sides played at American Legion Memorial Stadium. That’s a run Tampa Bay needs to end on Saturday to close the gap to the early pacesetters.
Saturday’s game brings connections between the two clubs. On the sidelines, Carolina’s Philip Poole and Tampa Bay’s Denise Schilte-Brown are the Super League’s longest-tenured coaches, both with their clubs since their inception. There are also former college teammates set to square off – Martinez will be aiming to deny former University of South Florida teammate Sydny Nasello in one of the key matchups.
After the sides played to a dramatic 2-2 draw in Ascent’s home opener last September, when Tampa Bay took a late lead through Gabby Provenzano before Maddie Mercado equalized in stoppage time for the hosts, we should be hoping for similar drama.
- READ MORE: Six Players to Watch as Carolina hosts Tampa Bay in the Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Brooklyn FC (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Fort Lauderdale United FC and Brooklyn FC will try to pick up their first win of the campaign as FTL UTD returns to action after a bye in Week 2. The hosts put together a solid display against Sporting Club Jacksonville in their season opener, including Ella Simpson hitting the woodwork early in the second half, only for Jacksonville to grab a late victory at Beyond Bancard Field. Brooklyn suffered its second consecutive loss to start the season with a 4-1 defeat in its home opener last Friday night against DC Power FC and has conceded seven goals in its opening two games. After struggling in attack during the past campaign, this could be the opportunity for Fort Lauderdale to get its attack moving and continue BKFC’s early challenges.
Lexington SC vs. DC Power FC (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Defending Super League titleholder Lexington SC returns to action aiming to keep pace with Carolina Ascent FC and Sporting Club Jacksonville after its opening weekend win but could get a strong test from DC Power FC, which is coming off an emphatic road win in its last outing. The Power swept to a 4-1 win on the road against Brooklyn FC as Loza Abera scored twice and both Emma Jaskaniec and Tyler Lussi scored their first goals for the club and now rank first in the league with 41 shots and a 5.59xG mark through their first two games. Lexington also cruised to victory against Brooklyn with a 3-0 result in its opening game of the season but should get a stronger test here.
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Dallas Trinity FC (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Sporting Club Jacksonville will try to continue its perfect start to the season as it takes on a Dallas Trinity FC side that is looking for its first win under new Head Coach Lee Nguyen as it heads on the road for the first time this season. Jacksonville recorded the first comeback win in club history in its last outing, taking a 3-2 victory against Tampa Bay Sun FC as Baylee DeSmit scored twice and Ashlyn Puerta once to bring the side back from a halftime deficit. Trinity went close to earning a result against Carolina Ascent FC last Saturday, only to fall 3-1 despite holding a 15-4 advantage in shots, and the possessional style the side has looked to implement – recording 1,024 overall passes and a 65.6% possession rate – could be tested by Sporting’s pressing defensive style.
3. Kit of the Week – Carolina Ascent FC’s Rising Kit
Carolina Ascent FC will debut its new Rising Kit on Saturday night when it takes on Tampa Bay Sun FC in its home opener at American Legion Memorial Stadium, with its sunbeam design radiating out from the club’s crest in a striking blue and purple look.
4. Landmark of the Week – Lexington SC’s Allison Pantuso
Lexington SC defender Allison Pantuso is set to become the Super League’s all-time leader in minutes played, entering the weekend level on 5,040 minutes with former Dallas Trinity FC defender Amber Wisner.
Check out Week 3’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Friday
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Brooklyn FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Saturday
Lexington SC vs. DC Power FC, 1 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Dallas Trinity FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)