Sporting JAX, Lexington SC square off in top-three clash; Tampa Bay looks to break Brooklyn’s hex
Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the Week 11 slate in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League fall season.
We’ve got a full slate of action throughout the weekend featuring a top-three clash between Lexington SC and Sporting Club Jacksonville that could prove key in the race for the postseason, plus a key game on the playoff line between Dallas Trinity and DC Power FC and Tampa Bay Sun FC looking to claim its first win all-time against Brooklyn FC.
Here’s what we’re looking out for.
1. Game of the Weekend – Lexington SC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville
With Carolina Ascent FC having maintained its eight-point lead at the top of the standings last weekend, the showdown between Lexington SC (4-3-1, 13pts) and Sporting Club Jacksonville (4-2-2, 14pts) on Friday night at Lexington SC Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock) is set to serve as a potential eliminator for which of the clubs is going to have a chance to challenge Carolina at the top the rest of the way.
With both clubs coming off victories in Week 10, but Lexington having held the upper hand in the series so far, it’s also a chance for Jacksonville to make a statement away from home in a contest that features plenty of attacking talent.
- FINDING A WAY: Lexington’s move into third place in the Super League standings last Saturday night didn’t come about in the prettiest fashion, with the side capitalizing on a pair of defensive errors by Tampa Bay Sun FC to rally for a 2-1 victory, but that show of resilience was an important one. LSC’s comeback win was just the third in its Super League history and provided a major boost after staring at potentially suffering a fourth loss of the campaign.
- STARTING TO CLICK: When it comes to resilience, no team has gained more points from losing positions this season than Sporting JAX. That was technically true of its 4-1 win against Fort Lauderdale United FC last Friday night, where FTL UTD took a surprise early lead before Jacksonville took control of the game and set the platform for a historic night by reigning Player of the Year Ashlyn Puerta. The 19-year-old’s four-goal performance wasn’t just a landmark achievement, but saw Jacksonville look like the side that led the league with 54 regular season goals in its inaugural season.
- READY TO STRIKE: Puerta will be one of the attacking standouts set to be on display at Lexington SC Stadium on Friday, with her 26 goal contributions (17G, 9A) now ranking third all-time in Super League history. She’s joined by Baylee DeSmit, who leads the Golden Boot race in the current campaign with seven goals this season, while Lexington can call on Addie McCain and Catherine Barry, who after Barry’s finish against Tampa Bay last week are now the first two players to record at least 20 goals in the Super League’s regular season.
With seven goals over their past two outings overall, Jacksonville will be hoping for more success than when they squared off with Lexington just over a month ago, when McKenzie Weinert’s goal in the 59th minute served as the winner for the visitors at Hodges Stadium.
That served as the third win in four meetings between the clubs for Lexington, which would jump past its visitors with another three points this time around. With the sides having produced attacking fireworks – recording at least three combined goals in their previous meetings – this should be must-see in terms of entertainment as well as its importance to the standings.
2. The Rest of the Weekend’s Action
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock)
First-placed Carolina Ascent FC (7-1-1, 22pts) heads on the road to face eighth-placed Fort Lauderdale United FC (2-7-0, 6pts) looking to put pressure on the rest of the field to keep up as it closes in on a third consecutive playoff berth. Ascent took a 3-0 victory when these teams met for the first time this season with Jill Aguilera, Mia Corbin and Audrey Coleman all on target in a win that began the club’s current six-game undefeated streak. Fort Lauderdale suffered defeat on the road at Sporting Club Jacksonville last time out despite Sh’nia Gordon’s fifth goal of the campaign, but the side has been better at home than away this season, taking two wins out of four outings so far at Amerant Bank Field and will be hoping to take its first win in the series since November, 2025 this time out.
Brooklyn FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Brooklyn FC (2-5-1, 7pts) will try to maintain its hold over Tampa Bay Sun FC (2-3-3, 9pts) when the sides meet in a game that could be critical to the playoff chances for both clubs. BKFC played to a 1-1 draw against Dallas Trinity FC in its most recent outing on October 10, narrowly missing out on all three points after conceding a late equalizer, but has gone 5-0-3 against the Sun all-time, including a 3-0 victory when the sides last met in the 2025/26 season. Summer BKFC addition Carlee Giamonna will be aiming to continue that streak as she prepares to face her former club for the first time, while Tampa Bay has two notable former Brooklyn players in Sam Kroeger and Kelsey Hill both in line to face their former club for the first time and try to earn their new side a first win in the series. With the Sun on a four-game winless run after its loss to Lexington last time out, though, three points are critical to remain within touch of the top four.
DC Power FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC (Sunday, 3 p.m. ET | Peacock)
Fourth-placed DC Power FC (3-3-2, 11pts) plays host to fifth-placed Dallas Trinity FC (3-3-2, 11pts) in a playoff six-pointer at Audi Field with the visitors looking to complete a season sweep of the series and move above the playoff line. Trinity took a 2-1 win behind goals from Onyeka Gamero and Jasmine Hamid at the Cotton Bowl earlier this season to extend the side’s undefeated streak in the series to four games, and the side is coming off a 3-2 victory in an international exhibition against Chivas de Guadalajara of Liga MX Feminil last Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. DC Power fell in its visit to Carolina Ascent FC last Friday night to miss out on a chance to close the gap at the top of the standings and now will try to claim its first win against Dallas since November, 2025 and its second home win of the campaign.
3. Kit of the Week – Lexington SC’s Fire Within Kit
Lexington SC unveiled its new Fire Within kit on Thursday morning, inspired by Kentucky’s bourbon history with the design taking on the appearance of charred barrel staves. It’ll be in action for the first time on Friday night when LSC hosts Sporting Club Jacksonville, get yours at the club’s online store.
4. Landmark of the Week – Tampa Bay Sun FC’s Sydny Nasello
Tampa Bay Sun FC’s Sydny Nasello could become the first player to record 20 goal contributions for the club as she looks to guide the Sun to its first win against Brooklyn FC in club history.
Check out Week 11’s News & Notes
5. Where to Watch Nationally
Thursday
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Friday
Lexington SC vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Saturday
Brooklyn FC vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 4 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Sunday
DC Power FC vs. Dallas Trinity FC, 3 p.m. ET (Peacock)