Carolina Ascent looks to turn tables on Tampa Bay Sun; Lexington, Dallas Trinity aim to boost playoff chances
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the Week 9 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
After the postponement of Sporting Club Jacksonville’s contest with DC Power FC to November 15, this weekend features three games with a key rematch between league-leaders Carolina Ascent FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC on Saturday night highlighting the bill.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC
With a five-point lead at the top of the Gainbridge Super League standings at the midway point of the Fall Season’s regular season, there’s very little that hasn’t gone the way of Carolina Ascent FC (5-1-1, 16pts) to this point.
On Saturday night, though, the side gets the chance to address the lone defeat on its record as it visits Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-1-3, 9pts) at Suncoast Credit Union Field (6 p.m. ET | Peacock) with the hosts having shown their mettle over a current four-game undefeated run that has kept the 2024/25 title-winners in the playoff picture.
- SHEA’S STREAKING: Tampa Bay’s 2-1 victory against Carolina on August 29 was a key moment for the Sun as it looked to reset after missing the postseason in the past campaign. Goals by Shea Connors and Sydny Nasello powered the side to victory on the road, with the tally by Connors part of a greater streak that this past weekend saw her find the net in a fifth consecutive game, setting a Super League individual record.
- ON THE REBOUND: Carolina weathered the defeat well, reeling off a three-game winning streak that stretched its lead at the top of the standings before a thrilling 3-3 draw against Sporting Club Jacksonville in Week 7 that brought the first half of the campaign to a close. While Mia Corbin scooped up September’s Player of the Month award for her part in the side’s success, the collective has been front and center for Ascent with five different players recording two goals apiece for the team high.
- PLUGGING THE GAPS: The key to Saturday’s rematch could come down to how Tampa Bay’s defense and goalkeeping fares against that Carolina attack. While the Sun rank first in the league having allowed only 6.85 Expected Goals Against this season – a league-best average of 1.14xGA per game – the side has yet to record a shutout this season. On the other hand, Carolina ranks sixth in the league with an 11.11xGA mark – an average of 1.59xGA per game – but has been able to count on goalkeeper Sydney Martinez, who continues to shine with a league-leading 26 saves on an 81.3% save percentage.
Carolina’s road form also poses a threat for the Sun, with Ascent on a nine-game road regular season winning streak dating back to last season. Having won both of their trips to face the Sun a season ago, the potential is there for Carolina to stretch its lead at the top of the standings further.
Should Tampa Bay complete a season sweep of the series, however, it would likely set up a far more interesting second half of the campaign.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
Brooklyn FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Brooklyn FC (2-5-0, 6pts) will try to build on victory last time out as it squares off with Dallas Trinity FC (3-3-1, 10pts) for the second time this season. BKFC picked up its second home win of the campaign last Friday night as Carlee Giamonna’s goal proved the difference in a 1-0 win against Fort Lauderdale United, but this encounter is set to provide a step up in competition with Trinity having claimed a 3-0 win when the sides met at the Cotton Bowl in September. The Dallas trio of Jasmine Hamid, Seven Castain and Onyeka Gamero were all on the scoresheet in that contest and will be on the hunt for more as Trinity returns from its bye with aims to return to the top four in the standings.
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Lexington SC (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Lexington SC (3-2-1, 10pts) makes its second consecutive trip to Florida to face Fort Lauderdale United (1-6-0, 3pts) while looking to build on a three-game undefeated streak that moved the defending titleholders back above the playoff line after a slow start to the season. Lexington earned a 1-1 draw against Tampa Bay Sun FC last Sunday evening as Addie McCain found a late first-half equalizer and will now aim to maintain its upper hand on FTL UTD, against which it has won three in a row while scoring 10 goals in that span. Fort Lauderdale will be led by interim Head Coach Paul Jennison for the second time after the departure from the club of former Head Coach Tyrone Mears earlier this week as it looks to break a five-game losing run as it returns to home turf.
3. Kit of the Week – Fort Lauderdale United’s Home Black Kit
Fort Lauderdale United will don its black home kit as it welcomes Dallas Trinity FC on Sunday evening, and we’re fans of the vertical pinstriped detailing that stands out in the same way as Kiara Locklear. Get yours at the club’s online store.
4. Landmark of the Week – Carolina Ascent FC’s Jill Aguilera
The Super League’s all-time leader in assists could become the first player to log 5,500 regular season minutes as Ascent visits Tampa Bay Sun FC, with Aguilera having previously notched two goals and three assists in nine appearances against the Sun in her career.
Check out Week 9’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Saturday
Brooklyn FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC, 4 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 6 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sunday
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Lexington SC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)