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Gainbridge Super League Power Rankings – Week 10

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The Gainbridge Super League returned to action after the FIFA international break in dramatic fashion. From emphatic wins to down-to-the-wire draws, here are our top four teams making it into the Week 10 Power Rankings.  

On The Move

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Lexington SC
(4-0-5)
Week 11: —
Last Week:
1		 Lexington SC extended its unbeaten streak with a dominant 4-2 win over Sporting JAX last weekend. The Girls in Green showcased their attacking versatility, with Sarah Griffith, Emina Ekić, Catherine Barry and Shea Moyer all finding the back of the net. Lexington holds on to the top of the table with a three-point lead.
2 Carolina Ascent FC
(3-2-4)
Week 11: vs. FTL		 1
Last Week:
3		 Carolina Ascent FC earned its second-straight road win with a 2-1 result against Spokane. Audrey Harding and Rylee Baisden were a deadly duo for Carolina, combining on both goals. The win marks a four-match undefeated stretch for the Ascent and moves them into third in the standings.
3 DC Power FC
(2-2-4)
Week 11: @ BKN
Last Week:
Not Ranked		 DC Power FC returns to the Power Rankings following a hard-fought 3-2 road victory over Dallas Trinity for its first win since opening week. Jaydah Bedoya, Susanna Fitch and Gianna Gourley all got on the scoresheet to take home the three points.
4 Fort Lauderdale United FC
(3-1-4)
Week 11: @ CAR
Last Week:
Not Ranked		 Fort Lauderdale United FC recorded a 1-1 draw against Brooklyn FC thanks to an equalizer off a set piece by Kelli Van Treeck, her third of the campaign. FTL UTD remains unbeaten at home (1-0-3) this season and is preparing for a rematch against the Ascent this weekend.

What to watch for in each Week 10 matchup 

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With the FIFA international break behind us, Week 10 of the Gainbridge Super League season kicks off tonight. Eight teams are competing across four consecutive nights of action, so here’s one thing to watch for in each match. 

SPKvCAR: Which team scores first 

In the series between Spokane and Carolina, scoring first has proven to be the key to winning. Aside from one scoreless draw, the winning team scored first in each of the other four matches. Additionally, the momentum seemed to shift to the team with the lead; only once did the losing team even get on the board, and it was a late penalty kick to bring the score to 2-1. 

The challenge for Carolina – and most other teams in the league – is the difficulty of getting past Spokane’s stout defense. Ascent was held scoreless by the Zephyr last month, even while recording more shots. But Spokane isn’t necessarily an attacking powerhouse. The team has scored 10 goals across 10 matches, tied for the lowest goals-per-game mark in the league. Thursday’s match will likely be low-scoring but tightly-contested and could swing either way. 

LEXvJAX: How JAX performs without Puerta and Brown 

Sporting JAX is set to face Lexington for the first time this Friday as the seventh team attempting to end the Girls in Green’s undefeated streak. However, the visitors will be without their star midfielder and center back Ashlyn Puerta and Georgia Brown. Both players have competed in nearly every minute this season but will be unavailable on Friday due to international duty. 

Paige Kenton and Jade Pennock have combined for goals multiple times this season and will likely pick up the offensive load without Puerta. On the defensive end, Grace Phillpotts and Julia Lester will have to step up to cover for Brown, who leads the team in clearances and blocks. If JAX can take down a team like Lexington without two of its starters, it’ll add even more credence to how good the expansion club can be the rest of the season. 

BKNvFTL: Brooklyn’s first-half offense 

All 12 of Brooklyn’s goals this season have come in the second half, and while it doesn’t hurt to be a comeback team, Brooklyn could be much farther up in the standings if it jumped on teams a little earlier. Its best match of the season was its opener against Tampa Bay, and although it was scoreless at halftime, the first 45 built a lot of momentum that Brooklyn used to net two goals to start the second half. 

It would be especially advantageous to strike early on Saturday as Fort Lauderdale plays its first full match without starting goalkeeper Bella Hara, who is serving a red card suspension. FTL UTD has barely had to play from behind this season, but we saw what happened when Lexington jumped to a 2-0 lead by the 25th minute in Week 9.  

DALvDC: Star strikers 

Both Dallas Trinity and DC Power are in winless ruts right now. Dallas has played just one league match in the past month and has fallen down the standings after its strong 3-0-0 start. DC hasn’t won since opening night and is earning just a point per game through seven contests. The spark for both teams is often provided through their strikers and all-time leading scorers, Allie Thornton and Gianna Gourley. 

Thornton has been off to a slow start this season, scoring half the number of goals she had at this point last year, but Dallas as a whole has scored five less goals through its first seven games compared to last season. Returning to the Cotton Bowl after a five-match road stretch might give Thornton and Dallas the energy they need to find the back of the net. 

As for Gourley, she tends to rise to the moment when DC needs her most, as we saw with her equalizer in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time against Spokane in Week 9. Surprisingly, eight of her 11 goals in the league have been scored on the road, so she will surely look to get past Dallas’ backline on Sunday. 

Can Sporting JAX become the first team to defeat Lexington? | Week 10 Match Previews

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Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC 

Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium; Spokane, WA 

Kickoff: Thursday, October 30, 9:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 42°   

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Spokane Zephyr FC (3-2-5) most recently played to a 1-1 draw against DC Power FC. Carolina Ascent FC (2-2-4) coming off a 2-1 win over Brooklyn. 
  • Spokane earned its first ever win over Carolina Ascent on September 24, a 1-0 victory behind a goal from Tori Zierenberg. Carolina still leads the series with a 3-1-1 record against Spokane.  
  • Hope Hisey (SPK) is one match away from reaching 15 clean sheets. 
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) recently surpassed teammate and last season’s Golden Playmaker Jill Aguilera with her eighth assist to move up to tied-second in the league in all-time regular season assists. 
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. 

Players to Watch

SPK – Ally Cook: The former UCLA Bruin is central to the Zephyr attack. Tied for top of the league in shots (18), the forward has scored a team-high three goals this season, including converting a penalty to secure Spokane’s 1-1 draw with Power FC on October 19.  

CAR – Brianna Martinez: The loanee has made six appearances for the Ascent since joining the squad this summer. The defender has recorded 23 duels won and 18 clearances while also getting in on the attacking side with her first goal of the season in Carolina’s last match. 

 Spokane Zephyr FC Carolina Ascent FC 
Head Coach Nicole Lukic Philip Poole 
Record 3-2-5 2-2-4 
Standings 2nd 5th 

Lexington SC vs. Sporting JAX 

Venue: Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY 

Kickoff: Friday, October 31, 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly cloudy, 53°   

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Lexington SC (3-0-5) is coming off a 5-1 victory over Fort Lauderdale. Sporting JAX (3-2-3) most recently tied 1-1 against Tampa Bay. 
  • This will be the first encounter between the two sides.  
  • Lexington has yet to lose a match through its first eight matches this season. Jacksonville is also unbeaten in its last five. 
  • Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals. 
  • Lexington leads the league with 17 goals and a +11 goal differential. 
  • Addie McCain (LEX) recently moved up to tied-first in all-time regular season goals with 15 alongside last season’s Golden Boot winner Allie Thornton. 
  • Justina Gaynor (LEX) will face off against her former Michigan State teammates Kaitlyn Parks and Meg Hughes (JAX). 
  • Allison Pantuso (LEX) will face off against her former Brooklyn FC teammate Grace Phillpotts (JAX).  

Players to Watch

LEX – Sarah Griffith: Griffith has been a key component of Lexington’s offense this season, starting every match so far. The winger notched her first professional brace to lead the Girls in Green to a dominant 5-1 victory over Fort Lauderdale United FC on October 16.  

JAX – Ashlyn Puerta: Puerta came up big with a last-minute equalizer in Sporting JAX’s last match against Tampa Bay Sun FC. The midfielder leads the league in goal contributions and will be the biggest challenge for Lexington on Friday night. 

 Lexington SC Sporting JAX  
Head Coach Masaki Hemmi Stacey Balaam 
Record 3-0-5 3-2-3 
Standings 1st 4th 

Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Brooklyn FC 

Venue: Beyond Bancard Field; Fort Lauderdale, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, November 1, 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 73°   

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Both teams are looking to rebound after losses in Week 9. Fort Lauderdale United FC (3-1-3) lost to Lexington, and Brooklyn FC (1-4-4) lost to Carolina Ascent.  
  • Fort Lauderdale took home all three points in the sides’ last encounter on September 28, in a 2-1 victory behind goals from Stella Nyamekye and Kiara Locklear.  
  • Brooklyn is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Jess Garziano (BKN) leads the Golden Playmaker race with four assists. 

Players to Watch

FTL – Sh’Nia Gordon: FTL’s captain has played every minute of the season thus far, guiding the team to a strong start. Gordon excels on both sides of the ball, earning 28 clearances and 43 recoveries in the defensive third while creating chances and sending in a team-high 18 crosses in the final third. 

BKN – Sofia Lewis: The forward was a super-sub for her side in its most recent match, coming off the bench in the second half and scoring her first goal for Brooklyn in its match against Carolina Ascent FC.  

 Fort Lauderdale United FC Brooklyn FC 
Head Coach Ali Rogers Tomás Tengarrinha 
Record 3-1-3 1-4-4 
Standings 3rd 8th 

Dallas Trinity FC vs. DC Power FC 

Venue: Cotton Bowl; Dallas, TX 

Kickoff: Sunday, November 2, 5:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Sunny, 70°   

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Sunday will be Dallas’ (3-3-1) first league match since its 2-0 loss to Spokane Zephyr on Oct. 12. DC Power (1-2-4) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Spokane on Oct. 19. 
  • Dallas and DC both have a 1-1-2 record against each other. DC won the last meeting in a comeback 3-2 win on May 8 after second-half goals from Susanna Fitch and Loza Abera. 
  • Samar Guidry (DAL) will face off against her former University of Virginia teammate Alexis Theoret (DC). 
  • Maya McCutcheon (DAL) will face off against her former West Virginia teammate Jaydah Bedoya (DC). 

Players to Watch

DAL – Sealey Strawn: The reigning Young Player of the Year has played a key role in the Trinity’s offense this season, playing in all seven matches. The forward opened her scoring account for the 2025/26 campaign last month against Lexington. 

DC – Gianna Gourley: Gourley is lethal when she gets in behind defenses, as we saw in DC’s last match against Spokane when she scored the stoppage-time equalizer. The forward has four goals on 17 shots this season and will likely ask a lot of Dallas’ backline this weekend. 

 Dallas Trinity FC DC Power FC 
Head Coach Chris Petrucelli Omid Namazi 
Record 3-3-1 1-2-4 
Standings 6th 7th 

Which players are moving up the leaderboards? | News & Notes Week 10

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WEEK 10 SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 30
Spokane Zephyr FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 9:00 p.m. ET

Friday, October 31
Lexington SC vs. Sporting JAX, 6:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, November 1
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Brooklyn FC

Sunday, November 2
Dallas Trinity FC vs. DC Power FC

REWIND: WEEK 9

LAST ONE LEFT
Lexington SC is the final undefeated team left after the it defeated Fort Lauderdale United FC 5-1 on Oct. 16. Lexington’s eight-match unbeaten run is tied for the third-longest stretch in league history.

CAROLINA ON TOP
Carolina Ascent earned its first road win of the season after winning 2-1 against Brooklyn FC. Carolina remains undefeated all-time (3-0-2) against Brooklyn.

PUERTA TO THE RESCUE
Golden Boot leader Ashlyn Puerta scored her seventh goal of the season in the 83rd minute to rescue a point in the 1-1 draw against Tampa Bay Sun FC. The draw extended Sporting JAX’s undefeated streak to five matches.

LATE GAME HEROICS
DC Power’s Gianna Gourley scored the equalizer in the 90+5’ 1-1 draw against Spokane Zephyr, the third-latest goal in league history. The goal marked the third week in a row that an equalizer was scored in second-half stoppage time.

Gourley’s goal also snapped Spokane’s streak of five consecutive clean sheets. The team had gone nearly 600 minutes without conceding a goal prior to Gourley’s last-minute strike.

GOLDEN AWARDS CURRENT LEADERS

GOALS:

1. Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) – 7
T-2. Catherine Barry (LEX) – 5
T-2. Addie McCain (LEX) – 5
T-4. Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4
T-4. Maddie Mercado (CAR) – 4

ASSISTS:

1. Jess Garziano (BKN) – 4
T-2. Meg Hughes (JAX) – 3
T-2. Sydny Nasello (TB) – 3
T-2. Emina Ekić (LEX) – 3
T-2. Audrey Harding (CAR) – 3
T-2. Tati Fung (LEX) – 3  

GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE:

1. Hope Hisey (SPK) – 0.7
2. Kat Asman (LEX) – 0.75
T-3. Bella Hara (FTL) – 1.42
T-3. Morgan Aquino (DC) – 1.42
5. Sydney Schneider (TB) – 1.5

WEEK 10 STORYLINES

UNDEFEATED RUNS
Lexington is on an eight-match unbeaten run to start the season. The team will host Sporting JAX, which has also not lost in its last five matches.

SECOND-HALF SCORERS
All 12 of Brooklyn’s goals this season have been scored in the second half.

UPCOMING MILESTONES & ACTIVE STREAKS

Upcoming Milestones
Approaching 15 all-time regular season goals
Mia Corbin (CAR) – 13
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 11
Gianna Gourley (DC) – 11

Approaching 10 all-time regular season assists
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 9
Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 8
Audrey Harding (CAR) – 8
Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7 

Approaching 15 all-time regular season shutouts
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 14

Active Streaks
Consecutive regular season minutes played across seasons
Sarah McCoy (SPK) – 3420
Allison Pantuso (LEX) – 3240
Amber Wisner (DAL) – 3150

Consecutive regular season matches unbeaten
Lexington SC – 8
Spokane Zephyr FC – 6
Sporting JAX – 5

WEEK 10 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – The following is the Gainbridge Super League’s discipline report for Week 10 of the 2025/26 season:

Fort Lauderdale United FC’s Bella Hara has been suspended for one game following her red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity against Lexington SC on October 16. Hara will be unavailable for selection for Fort Lauderdale’s contest against Brooklyn FC on November 1.

WEEK 10 MATCH NOTES

SPKvCAR

  • Spokane Zephyr (3-2-5) most recently played to a 1-1 draw against DC Power FC. Carolina (2-2-4) is coming off a 2-1 win over Brooklyn.
  • Spokane earned its first-ever win against Carolina earlier this season on Sept. 24. Tori Zierenberg scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory in Charlotte. Carolina still leads the series with a 3-1-1 record against Spokane.
  • Hope Hisey (SPK) is one match away from reaching 15 clean sheets.
  • Audrey Harding (CAR) recently surpassed teammate and last season’s Golden Playmaker Jill Aguilera with her eighth assist to move up to tied-second in the league in all-time regular season assists.
  • Carolina is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.

LEXvJAX

  • Lexington (3-0-5) is coming off a 5-1 victory over Fort Lauderdale. Sporting JAX (3-2-3) most recently tied 1-1 against Tampa Bay.
  • Friday will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
  • Lexington has yet to lose a match through its first eight matches this season. Jacksonville is also unbeaten in its last five.
  • Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals.
  • Lexington leads the league with 17 goals and a +11 goal differential.
  • Addie McCain (LEX) recently moved up to tied-first in all-time regular season goals with 15 alongside last season’s Golden Boot winner Allie Thornton.
  • Justina Gaynor (LEX) will face off against her former Michigan State teammates Kaitlyn Parks and Meg Hughes (JAX).
  • Allison Pantuso (LEX) will face off against her former Brooklyn FC teammate Grace Phillpotts (JAX).

FTLvBKN

  • Both teams are looking to rebound after losses in Week 9. Fort Lauderdale (3-1-3) lost to Lexington, and Brooklyn (1-4-4) lost to Carolina.
  • Fort Lauderdale leads the all-time series 3-0-2 between the two sides. FTL UTD won 2-1 at Coney Island when the teams met on Sept. 28 behind goals from Stella Nyamekye and Kiara Locklear.
  • Brooklyn is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
  • Jess Garziano (BKN) leads the Golden Playmaker race with four assists.

DALvDC

  • Sunday will be Dallas’ (3-3-1) first league match since its 2-0 loss to Spokane Zephyr on Oct. 12. DC Power (1-2-4) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Spokane on Oct. 19.
  • Dallas and DC both have a 1-1-2 record against each other. DC won the last meeting in a comeback 3-2 win on May 8 after second-half goals from Susanna Fitch and Loza Abera.
  • Samar Guidry (DAL) will face off against her former University of Virginia teammate Alexis Theoret (DC).
  • Maya McCutcheon (DAL) will face off against her former West Virginia teammate Jaydah Bedoya (DC).

Ten Gainbridge Super League players called up to senior national teams for October FIFA international break

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Ten players across five Gainbridge Super League clubs have been called up to their senior national teams for the October FIFA international window running from Oct. 20-29. Four more players have been called up to various U.S. Youth National Team camps.

Sydney Schneider (TB) is competing in the group stage of the 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers, while the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will feature Loza Abera (DC), Stella Nyamekye (FTL) and Olga Massombo (TB). Sophia Braun (SPK) will compete with Argentina in the Women’s Nations League 2027 World Cup Qualifying Tournament. The remaining senior teams players are competing in international friendlies.

Gainbridge Super League Players on International Duty in October

Argentina (1) – Sophia Braun (Spokane Zephyr FC) 

Australia (1) – Morgan Aquino (DC Power FC)

Democratic Republic of the Congo (1) – Olga Massombo (Tampa Bay Sun FC)

Ethiopia (1) – Loza Abera (DC Power FC) 

Ghana (1) – Stella Nyamekye (Fort Lauderdale United FC)

Jamaica (1) – Sydney Schneider (Tampa Bay Sun FC)

Philippines (2) – Carleigh Frilles (DC Power FC), Katrina Guillou (DC Power FC)

Scotland (1) – Georgia Brown (Sporting JAX)

Wales (1) – Charlie Estcourt (DC Power FC) 

United States (4) – Alexa Strickler (U-18/19, Fort Lauderdale United FC), Ashlyn Puerta (U-20, Sporting JAX), Charlotte Burge (U-20, Carolina Ascent FC), Sealey Strawn (U-20, Dallas Trinity FC)

Battle of the Undefeated: Can Lexington or Fort Lauderdale earn all three points? 

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Of the nine Gainbridge Super League clubs, Lexington SC and Fort Lauderdale United FC are the last two standing without a loss in the 2025/26 season. One of those undefeated runs could come to an end tonight when the sides face off against each other at Lexington SC Stadium. 

After a high-scoring draw in their first meeting this season, and with the chance to take over the No. 1 spot in the standings, tonight’s matchup is highly anticipated for both teams. 

Here’s why you need to tune in at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock. 

  • SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM: Lexington and Fort Lauderdale began their unbeaten streaks against each other in a 3-3 draw in South Florida. After FTL UTD took a two-goal lead just before the hour-mark, the Girls in Green scored three unanswered goals – two of which were set up by Emina Ekić on her debut for the club – and took complete control of the match. But the script was flipped in the 90th minute when a penalty kick for Fort Lauderdale resulted in Jasmine Hamid converting from the spot to spoil Lexington’s comeback. 
  • FAMILIAR FOES: Former FTL midfielders Addie McCain and Tati Fung will once again face their old teammates having joined Lexington this summer. McCain, Fort Lauderdale’s lone All-League First Team selection last season, leads Lexington with four goals, one of which came against her former club. Fung has started every match for Lexington this season, which has seen her already surpass her minutes total with Fort Lauderdale in 24/25. 
  • FIGHT FOR FIRST: Fort Lauderdale and Lexington are currently second and third in the league standings behind first-place Spokane Zephyr FC. A win for either team would not only catapult them into the top spot with multiple games in hand over Spokane but also create separation from fourth-placed Sporting JAX, which has won two of its last three matches. 

This season has been a complete 180 for Lexington compared to its previous campaign, specifically defensively. The team conceded a league-high 62 goals last season, whereas its five goals allowed are currently the fewest through the first two months of this season. Goalkeeper Kat Asman has already doubled the number of clean sheets the team earned in 24/25, and the quartet of intraleague transfers Alyssa Bourgeois and Allison Pantuso and new signings Hannah Sharts and Hannah Johnson has proven to be quite a formidable backline. 

Offensively, though, Lexington has been inconsistent. Aside from the lopsided 6-1 win against Dallas Trinity FC in late September, LSC has scored just one goal in its last five matches.  

On the other side, Fort Lauderdale has no problem finding the back of the net. Before its last scoreless draw against Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale had not been shut out in its last 14 regular season matches. Even with the team’s leading scorers from last year Hamid off to a slow start and McCain joining the opposition, it is still finding ways to convert. 

That’s been in large part because of Kiara Locklear, who continues to devastate defenses with her speed and scoring versatility. Stella Nyamekye and Darya Rajaee, meanwhile, each scored off direct free kicks. Defender Ella Simpson headed in two goals from set pieces. Lexington will need to be wary of every FTL player because none of them are afraid to shoot. 

Thursday night’s battle, and potentially the end of an undefeated streak, might just come down to which is better: Lexington’s defense or Fort Lauderdale’s offense.

Undefeated Lexington and Fort Lauderdale meet again | Week 9 Match Previews

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Lexington SC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC 

Venue: Lexington SC Stadium; Lexington, KY 

Kickoff: Thursday, October 16, 6:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 64°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Lexington (2-0-5) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Carolina Ascent. Fort Lauderdale (3-0-3) did not play in Week 8. 
  • Lexington holds a 1-3-1 record all-time against Fort Lauderdale. The two sides last played to a back-and-forth 3-3 draw on opening weekend this season. 
  • The two teams are the only undefeated teams left in the league this season. 
  • Six of Addie McCain’s 14 goals have been scored in LEX v FTL matches: 5 last season while in FTL and 1 in the first meeting after joining LEX. 

Players to Watch

LEX – Hannah White: The Georgia Bulldog has been a star off the bench for Lexington this season. She is one of four players on the team with two assists, her most recent one on the critical 97th minute equalizer last week to earn a point against Carolina Ascent.  

FTL – Stella Nyamekye: The loanee has been a key contributor to Fort Lauderdale’s attack since she joined the team in August. Nyamekye won nine duels and recorded two shots, four crosses and one chance created in the team’s last draw against Tampa Bay. 

 Lexington SC Fort Lauderdale United FC 
Head Coach Masaki Hemmi   Ali Rogers 
Record 2-0-5 3-0-3 
Standings 3rd 2nd 

Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC 

Venue: Maimonides Park; Brooklyn, NY 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 18, 6:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Partly sunny, 60°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Brooklyn (1-3-4) returns to action after playing Tampa Bay to a 2-2 draw last weekend. Carolina (1-2-4) is also coming off a draw, finishing 1-1 against Lexington last Friday. 
  • Brooklyn has never won against Carolina and finished last season with an 0-2-2 record against the Ascent. The last encounter between the two sides on May 24th ended in a scoreless draw. 
  • Both teams are looking for their first clean sheet of the season. 
  • Rebecca Cooke (BKN) has scored in her last two appearances. 
  • Mackenzie George, Luana Grabias and Sydney Martinez will return to Brooklyn to face their former club for the first time since joining Carolina this summer. 
  • Former Rutgers teammates Meagan McClelland (CAR) and Sam Kroeger (BKN) will face off against each other.  

Players to Watch

BKN – Rebecca Cooke: The Ireland native has been a pillar of Brooklyn’s attack this season, leading the team in goals (3) and shots (12). Her composure in the final third is remarkable, as all three of her goals were equalizers or go-ahead goals. 

CAR – Jill Aguilera: The outside back is a reliable presence in Carolina’s defense and is the only player on the team to compete in all 630 minutes. She leads the Ascent in tackles (17) and duels (44) won and ranks second with 23 clearances. 

 Brooklyn FC Carolina Ascent FC 
Head Coach Tomás Tengarrinha   Philip Poole 
Record 1-3-4 1-2-4 
Standings 7th 6th 

Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC 

Venue: Hodges Stadium UNF; Jacksonville, FL 

Kickoff: Saturday, October 18, 7:30 p.m. ET 

Weather: Clear, 72°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Saturday will be Sporting JAX’s second match of the week after defeating DC Power 1-0 on Tuesday. 
  • Tampa Bay (0-3-4) is coming off a 2-2 draw against Brooklyn last weekend. 
  • Saturday will be the second meeting between these two teams. Sporting JAX won 3-2 when they played on August 30 behind goals from Ashlyn Puerta and Meg Hughes. 

Players to Watch

JAX – Georgia Brown: The six-foot center back recorded a league-record 16 clearances in the win against DC Power earlier in the week, playing a key role in Sporting JAX recording its first clean sheet of the season. 

TB – Natasha Flint: The English forward looked like she was back in peak form since rejoining the starting lineup coming off an injury. She scored her first goal of the season on a beautiful volley to help Tampa Bay earn a point in the 2-2 draw against Brooklyn last week.  

 Sporting JAX  Tampa Bay Sun FC 
Head Coach Stacey Balaam Denise Schilte Brown   
Record 3-2-2 0-3-4 
Standings 4th 9th 

DC Power FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC 

Venue: Audi Field; Washington D.C. 

Kickoff: Sunday, October 19, 2:00 p.m. ET 

Weather: Cloudy, 74°     

Broadcast: Peacocktv.com 

Things to Know

  • Sunday will be DC Power’s second match of the week after falling 1-0 to Sporting JAX on Tuesday. 
  • Spokane is coming off a 2-0 win over Dallas Trinity FC last weekend. 
  • Spokane has never lost against DC and holds a 3-0-2 record against Power FC. The two sides played to a 2-2 draw when they met on August 30 behind goals from Emily Colton and Sydney Cummings (DC) and a brace by Lena Silano (SPK). 
  • One more clean sheet for Spokane/Hope Hisey on Sunday would set both team and goalkeeper records for most consecutive clean sheets with six. 

Players to Watch

DC – Alexis Theoret: Theoret has played more defensively in DC’s opening matches, leading the team in interceptions (8), tackles won (13) and duels won (38). However, she shined offensively on Tuesday, recording two shots, three crosses and two chances created. 

SPK – Tori Zierenberg: Since moving into Spokane’s starting lineup, Tori Zierenberg has scored two of the team’s last three goals, contributing to two wins that have moved the Zephyr up to the top of the standings. 

 DC Power FC Spokane Zephyr FC 
Head Coach Omid Namazi Nicole Lukic 
Record 1-2-3 3-2-4 
Standings 8th 1st 

Can Spokane Zephyr set a new clean sheet record? | News & Notes Week 9

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WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 14
DC Power FC vs. Sporting JAX, 7:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, October 16
Lexington SC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC, 6:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, October 18
Brooklyn FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC, 6:00 p.m. ET
Sporting JAX vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, October 19
DC Power FC vs. Spokane Zephyr FC, 2:00 p.m. ET

REWIND: WEEK 8

FIRST TO 100
Spokane’s Hope Hisey recorded six saves Sunday night, becoming the first goalkeeper in the league to reach 100 saves. She also tied the league record with her fifth consecutive clean sheet.

LATE GAME DRAMA
Lexington SC rescued a point and extended its undefeated streak to seven matches after drawing 1-1 with Carolina Ascent. Addie McCain scored the second-latest goal in league history (90+7’) to equalize.

BROOKLYN FIGHTS BACK
Brooklyn FC remains undefeated all-time against Tampa Bay Sun FC (3-0-3) after earning a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Catherine Zimmerman equalized in the 90+1’ off a set piece from Jess Garziano.

GOLDEN AWARDS CURRENT LEADERS

GOALS:

1. Ashlyn Puerta (JAX) – 6
T-2. Catherine Barry (LEX) – 4
T-2. Kiara Locklear (FTL) – 4
T-2. Maddie Mercado (CAR) – 4
T-2. Addie McCain (LEX) – 4

ASSISTS:

T-1. Meg Hughes (JAX) – 3
T-1. Jess Garziano (BKN) – 3
T-1. Sydny Nasello (TB) – 3
T-2. 11 players – 2

GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE:

1. Hope Hisey (SPK) – 0.67
2. Kat Asman (LEX) – 0.71
3. Bella Hara (FTL) – 1.16
4. Bre Norris (BKN) – 1.25
T-5. Sydney Schneider (TB) – 1.5
T-5. Morgan Aquino (DC) – 1.5

WEEK 9 STORYLINES

CLEAN SHEET STREAK
Spokane’s Hope Hisey has recorded a clean sheet in her last five matches. Another one on Sunday would set a new league record on consecutive clean sheets.

THE UNDEFEATEDS MEET
Lexington and Fort Lauderdale are the only teams in the league to have not lost yet this season. They’ll go head-to-head in Lexington on Thursday, with one looking to end the other’s undefeated streak.

TAMPA SEARCHING FOR FIRST WIN
Tampa Bay is the lone club without a win this season. The seven-match winless streak to start the season is the longest the team has gone without a win.

INTERNATIONAL CALL-UP
Sporting JAX Academy player Sydney Schmidt has been called up by the U-17 U.S. Youth National Team and will complete in the U-17 FIFA World Cup which kicks of Oct. 18 in Morocco.

UPCOMING MILESTONES & ACTIVE STREAKS

Upcoming Milestones
Approaching 15 all-time regular season goals
Addie McCain (LEX) – 14
Mia Corbin (CAR) – 13
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 11

Approaching 10 all-time regular season assists
Emina Ekić (LEX) – 8
Chioma Ubogagu (DAL) – 8
Jill Aguilera (CAR) – 7
Audrey Harding (CAR) – 7  

Approaching 15 all-time regular season shutouts
Hope Hisey (SPK) – 14

Active Streaks
Consecutive regular season minutes played across seasons
Sarah McCoy (SPK) – 3330
Amber Wisner (DAL) – 3150
Allison Pantuso (LEX) – 3150

Consecutive regular season matches unbeaten
Lexington SC – 7
Fort Lauderdale United FC – 6

WEEK 9 DISCIPLINE REPORT

TAMPA, Fla. – There are no new suspensions to report.

WEEK 9 MATCH NOTES

DCvJAX

  • DC Power (1-1-3) and Sporting JAX (2-2-2) both return to action after having Week 8 off. DC lost 3-2 to Carolina in its last match. Sporting JAX drew 3-3 against Brooklyn in its last match.
  • Tuesday will be the second meeting between these two teams. DC won 3-1 at Jacksonville when they played on opening weekend.
  • Sporting JAX is still searching for its first clean sheet of the season.
  • Sporting JAX is undefeated (2-0-1) on the road this season.

LEXvFTL

  • Lexington (2-0-5) is coming off a 1-1 draw against Carolina Ascent. Fort Lauderdale (3-0-3) did not play in Week 8.
  • Lexington holds a 1-3-1 record all-time against Fort Lauderdale. The two sides last played to a back-and-forth 3-3 draw on opening weekend this season.
  • The two teams are the only undefeated teams left in the league this season.
  • Six of Addie McCain’s 14 goals have been scored in LEX v FTL matches: 5 last season while in FTL and 1 in the first meeting after joining LEX.

BKNvCAR

  • Brooklyn (1-3-4) returns to action after playing Tampa Bay to a 2-2 draw last weekend. Carolina (1-2-4) is also coming off a draw, finishing 1-1 against Lexington last Friday.
  • Brooklyn has never won against Carolina and finished last season with an 0-2-2 record against the Ascent. The two sides played to a scoreless draw in their last meeting on May 24.
  • Both teams are looking for their first clean sheet of the season.
  • Rebecca Cooke has scored in her last two appearances.
  • Mackenzie George, Luana Grabias and Sydney Martinez will return to Brooklyn to face their former club for the first time since joining Carolina this summer.
  • Former Rutgers teammates Meagan McClelland (CAR) and Sam Kroeger (BKN) will face off against each other.

JAXvTB

  • Saturday will be Sporting JAX’s second match of the week after playing DC Power on Tuesday.
  • Tampa Bay (0-3-4) is coming off a 2-2 draw against Brooklyn last weekend.
  • Tampa Bay is still searching for its first win of the season.
  • Saturday will be the second meeting between these two teams. Sporting JAX won 3-2 when they played on August 30.

DCvSPK

  • Sunday will be DC Power’s second match of the week after playing Sporting JAX on Tuesday.
  • Spokane is coming off a 2-0 win over Dallas Trinity FC last weekend.
  • Spokane has never lost against DC and holds a 3-0-2 record against Power FC. The two sides played to a 2-2 draw when they met on August 30 behind goals from Emily Colton and Sydney Cummings (DC) and a brace by Lena Silano (SPK).
  • One more clean sheet for Spokane/Hope Hisey on Sunday would set both team and goalkeeper records for most consecutive clean sheets with six.

Gainbridge Super League Power Rankings – Week 8

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With two stoppage-time equalizers and a shutout win to shake up the standings, Week 8 of the Gainbridge Super League 2025/26 season was one to remember. Here are our four teams fighting their way to the top of the Week 8 Power Rankings.

Rank

 

Team

Change

Summary
1 Spokane Zephyr FC
(3-2-4)
Week 9: @ DC
 1
Last Week:
2		 Spokane Zephyr’s new Head Coach Nicole Lukic started off her tenure with a win after Tori Zierenberg found the back of the net in the 60th minute and an own goal doubled the lead minutes later. Six saves from league-leader Hope Hisey protected the 2-0 lead and earned the Zephyr its fifth shutout this season.
2 Lexington SC
(2-0-5)
Week 9: vs. FTL		 1
Last Week:
1		 Lexington SC showcased its grit last week, with Addie McCain slotting home a stoppage-time equalizer in the 90+7’ to see the Girls in Green take home a point in a 1-1 draw with Carolina Ascent. With the result, Lexington remains one of only two clubs still undefeated through Week 8.
3 Fort Lauderdale United FC
(3-0-3)
Week 9: @ LEX
Last Week:
3		 Despite having Week 8 off, Fort Lauderdale United FC returns to the Power Rankings and remains in second place in the standings. The Florida side will return to action this Thursday in Kentucky, completing its three-match road stretch with a meeting against fellow unbeaten side Lexington SC.
4 Carolina Ascent FC
(1-2-4)
Week 9: @ BKN
Last Week:
Not Ranked		 Carolina Ascent FC gave Lexington a run for its money on Friday, with Audrey Harding scoring her first goal of the season to ultimately earn the Ascent a 1-1 draw. The result extends Carolina’s unbeaten streak against Lexington to five games and sees the Charlotte side re-enter the Power Rankings for the first time since preseason.