Sporting JAX, Lexington SC square off looking to rebound from setbacks last time out
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the Week 6 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
This weekend features a full four-game slate including the first meeting this season between the sides that finished 1-2 in the last campaign, a crucial Friday night showdown at Audi Field for DC Power FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC, and both Carolina Ascent FC and Dallas Trinity FC looking to add to their two-game winning streaks.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Lexington SC
At the end of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season, there was barely anything to choose between Lexington SC and Sporting Club Jacksonville. Level on 53 points, the Players’ Shield and No. 1 seed in the postseason went to Lexington on Goal Differential with a +26 mark to Sporting JAX’s +22.
With the new season underway, the sides meet for the first time on Sunday evening at Hodges Stadium (5 p.m. ET | Peacock) with Sporting back in the picture for the Players’ Shield, but Lexington under the gun to produce results after consecutive defeats in its stop-and-start opening to the season.
- EARLY PRESSURE: Defending titleholder Lexington (1-2-0, 3pts) has played the fewest games of any team in the Super League with a pair of byes separating its first three contests of the season. Last Friday night’s 1-0 loss against Carolina Ascent FC in a rematch of May’s Final emphasized how every point is going to matter this fall – with the result, Carolina already has a nine-point lead on Lexington at the top of the standings with four wins from its first five games. That adds to the pressure LSC will face in its first road game of the season as it looks to avoid its first three-game losing streak since April, 2025.
- READY TO REBOUND: Sporting JAX (3-1-1, 10pts) was on top of the standings as the lone undefeated side going into Week 5, but a surprise 3-2 defeat to Brooklyn FC opened the door for Carolina to jump into first. The hosts will also be looking to rebound, then, as they return home for the start of a three-game run that also sees Jacksonville visit Carolina and host third-place DC Power FC, a sequence that could be key as the season progresses.
- HOLD STEADY: If there’s something for Lexington to hang its hat on, it’s the club’s underlying numbers. LSC is averaging 2.30 Expected Goals over its first three games but has scored only four times, while its defensive numbers have been solid. The likes of Addie McCain and Catherine Barry are likely to get into gear at some point which will elevate Lexington’s drive for a top four position and potentially another Players’ Shield. If that starts this weekend, the picture could look a whole lot rosier going into next week.
Jacksonville has its own sharpshooter in the fold, though, with Baylee DeSmit having scored five goals in as many appearances to start the season. She had success against Lexington last year, too, recording two goals in three appearances, making her a player to keep an eye on again this time around.
If Sporting JAX evens the all-time series at two wins apiece, meanwhile, it would leave Lexington with a serious challenge ahead in its title defense.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
DC Power FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC (Friday, 7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- DC Power FC (2-2-1, 7pts) and Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-1-1, 7pts) square off at Audi Field with the visitors looking to build on consecutive victories against a Power side looking for its first home win of the season. The Power return home after suffering a 2-1 loss to Dallas Trinity FC in Week 5, and while the side remained in third place in the standings, it’s in need of a jolt to its home performance. DC has won only four times in 30 outings at home in its Super League history, with the Sun having claimed victory in all three of their prior visitors to the nation’s capital. Having claimed a 2-1 victory against in-state foe Fort Lauderdale United FC last Saturday behind goals from Tori Zierenberg and Shea Connors for its second consecutive victory, Tampa Bay will be aiming to maintain its momentum and solidify its place above the playoff line.
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Dallas Trinity FC (2-2-1, 7pts) will try to build on its two-game winning streak and jump into the playoff positions when it heads to face Fort Lauderdale United FC (1-3-0, 3pts) at Amerant Bank Field. Trinity took a 2-1 victory against DC Power FC last Sunday evening at the Cotton Bowl as Jasmine Hamid notched her third goal of the season and 20-year-old Onyeka Gamero her second to earn the side all three points. Fort Lauderdale returns home after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Tampa Bay Sun FC last Saturday night that saw Sh’nia Gordon find the net for the first time this season only for the Sun to rally in the second half. With a league-fewest two goals in four games, FTL UTD will need to find a solution to spring a surprise against its Texas visitors.
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Brooklyn FC (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
- Carolina Ascent FC (4-1-0, 12pts) will try to maintain its lead at the top of the Super League standings when it plays host to Brooklyn FC (1-4-0, 3pts), which will be looking to spring another surprise after handing Sporting Club Jacksonville its first loss of the season in its most recent outing. BKFC scored twice in the opening 10 minutes against Jacksonville through Catherine Zimmerman and Tziarra King to pave the way to a 3-2 win at Maimonides Park, giving Head Coach Alex Smith his first win at the club. Brooklyn will get a strong test against Carolina, though, with the league-leaders coming off a 1-0 victory against defending title-holder Lexington SC as Jenna Butler scored the only goal and holding an undefeated record (5-0-2) in the all-time series.
3. Kit of the Week – DC Power FC’s Third Kit
DC Power FC will take to the field in its distinctive third kit on Friday night at home to Tampa Bay Sun FC, with the swirling sky-blue design one that’s a real eye-catcher. Get yours at the club’s online store.
4. Landmark of the Week – Carolina Ascent FC’s Sydney Martinez
The Puerto Rico international enters the weekend with 14 shutouts and 96 saves in the Super League’s regular season. She’d become only the second player to reach 15 shutouts and the third with a century of saves in league history with a big performance against Brooklyn FC.
Check out Week 6’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Friday
DC Power FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Saturday
Carolina Ascent FC vs. Brooklyn FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sunday
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Lexington SC, 5 p.m. ET (Peacock)