Lexington SC, Tampa Bay Sun FC both aiming to rebound; Carolina looks to extend lead at home to DC
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the Week 10 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
There’s a top two matchup in the standings between Carolina Ascent FC and DC Power FC as the Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month we’ve got covered in depth here, but there are two more intriguing contests as well on the slate, including two sides with playoff aspirations aiming to rebound as they meet for the second time this season.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Lexington SC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC
When Lexington SC and Tampa Bay Sun FC met for the first time this season a couple of weeks ago, it served as an opportunity for either club to make a jump into the top four in the Gainbridge Super League standings.
After ending in a 1-1 draw at Tampa Bay’s Suncoast Credit Union Field, the same opportunity reappears with fifth placed Lexington (3-3-1, 10pts) and sixth placed Tampa Bay (2-2-3, 9pts) both in range to make a move as they meet on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET | Peacock). It also sees both also looking to bounce back from tough defeats a week ago that ended recent positive runs of form.
- COMING UP SHORT: The Sun saw their four-game undefeated streak come to an end at the hands of league-leaders Carolina Ascent FC, with the visitors’ defensive pressure giving Tampa Bay little room to work with despite holding more of the overall possession. The Sun took only nine touches in the attacking penalty area – half its previous low-mark in the campaign – as Shea Connors’ record five-game scoring streak came to an end with Ascent claiming a 3-0 victory.
- SOUTH FLORIDA SURPRISE: By contrast, Lexington had more of the play and chances against Fort Lauderdale United FC but got stung twice by United standout Sh’nia Gordon to suffer its third loss of the season in a 2-1 setback. LSC has now lost as many games in its opening seven contests of the 2026 Fall Season as it did throughout its run to the 2025/26 Players’ Shield, giving the side a nine-point gap to make up if it’s going to challenge Carolina for top spot at the end of the season.
- BRIDGE THE GAP: By its underlying numbers, Lexington has been as strong as it was a season ago overall. The club’s +4.2 Expected Goal Differential ranks first in the league despite having played only seven games and is averaging a league-best 1.98 Expected Goals per Game. Unfortunately, not enough of those chances are finding the back of the net – LSC’s 10 goals are tied for fourth in the league – and it’s proven costly to their challenge.
One of the games in which Lexington’s attack didn’t quite fire on all cylinders previously this season was its encounter with Tampa Bay, where the hosts’ aggressiveness put Lexington on its heels. The Sun won possession 16 times in the attacking third and claimed 56.8% of duels while posting a +13-recovery differential to make their mark on the contest.
After succumbing against Carolina last weekend, finding a way to regain that energy is going to be key for the visitors as they look to break Lexington’s four-game undefeated streak in the series. If the Sun manage to do so and claim all three points, it would be a major boost to their postseason hopes, and dent those of the defending titleholders as well.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Carolina Ascent FC (6-1-1, 19pts) plays host to DC Power FC (3-2-2, 11pts) in the Gainbridge Super League Match of the Month at American Legion Memorial Stadium with a chance to record a season sweep having defeated DC in the opening week of the campaign. Mia Corbin scored the only goal that night at Audi Field for a 1-0 win, but the Power gave Ascent a run for their money, indicating their position as a potential challenger that’s borne out over the weeks since. The big question for DC is whether it can finally defeat Ascent; Carolina is 7-0-2 in their all-time series, the most wins in a series between any two Super League clubs. If the Power find a way to all three points, we could have a battle on for the Players’ Shield down the stretch, but Carolina could pull further into the distance if it defends home turf.
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Fort Lauderdale United (2-6-0, 6pts) claimed a big victory last time out, surprising Lexington SC as Sh’nia Gordon scored both goals in a 2-1 win that ended the club’s five-game winless streak. The side faced another big test this weekend as it heads to take on Sporting Club Jacksonville (3-2-2, 11pts), which had an unexpected bye a week ago as its contest with DC Power FC was postponed to November 15 due to incoming inclement weather. Sporting JAX has been dominant in its series against FTL UTD previously, winning four of five meetings and posting a 10-2 advantage in goals, and will be aiming to maintain that record. After last Sunday’s result, though, Fort Lauderdale will head north with some confidence it can find a first win against its in-state foe.
3. Kit of the Week – Dallas Trinity FC’s Live Oak Kit
Dallas Trinity FC isn’t in action in the Super League this weekend, but it will be squaring off against Chivas de Guadalajara of Liga MX Feminil in the State Fair Clásico at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT and wearing its special edition Live Oak Kit for the occasion. Get yours online at the club’s store.
4. Landmark of the Week – Sporting Club Jacksonville’s Baylee DeSmit
After last weekend’s postponement, the current Super League Golden Boot leader will get her chance to move to 20 regular season goals on Friday night against Fort Lauderdale United FC. DeSmit has recorded four goals in five career appearances against FTL UTD, including the winner when they first met this season.
Check out Week 10’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Friday
Carolina Ascent FC vs. DC Power FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sporting Club Jacksonville vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Saturday
Lexington SC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7 p.m. ET (Peacock)