Fort Lauderdale Earns Point in Thrilling Draw vs. Brooklyn
GSL Fort Lauderdale United FC

Fort Lauderdale Earns Point in Thrilling Draw vs. Brooklyn

Published on February 14, 2026 under Gainbridge Super League (GSL)
Fort Lauderdale United FC News Release


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Fort Lauderdale United FC (4-6-7, 19 PTS) drew its matchup with Brooklyn FC (4-6-7, 19 PTS) on Saturday evening, 3-3, in a thrilling match at Beyond Bancard Field in the first game of Interim Head Coach Paul Jennison's tenure. Defender Abi Hugh scored and assisted in her first goal contributions of the season while Ella Simpson and Jasmine Hamid each scored their fourth goal of the campaign in the draw. With the result, Fort Lauderdale earned points for the first time in four matches in Jennison's debut at the helm, and the club will look to build on that momentum in next weekend's Florida Derby clash against Tampa Bay Sun FC on the road.

Fort Lauderdale United returns to the pitch on Saturday, February 21 for its first road match of the Spring portion of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League season, traveling to face Tampa Bay Sun FC in another Florida Derby clash. The clubs met twice during the Fall campaign, playing to a scoreless draw in Tampa (Oct. 4) before Madison McComasky helped secure a 1-1 draw at home (Nov. 15). With the playoff push intensifying, Fort Lauderdale will look to earn its first victory over its in-state rival next Saturday.

The match was physical and intense from the opening whistle, with both sides setting the tone early. In Jennison's first match at the helm, Fort Lauderdale emphasized playing through balls into space to unlock its dynamic attacking threats against Brooklyn's defense. Laveni Vaka stood out defensively in the opening minutes, making strong tackles in the 7th and 9th minutes to keep the scoreless scoreline. Sophie Harding was central to the attacking approach in her first start of the season, threading a clever through ball in the 24th minute to spark a dangerous move. Fort Lauderdale broke through in the 30th minute when Harding delivered a perfectly weighted pass into Brooklyn's half to Hugh, who drove a rocketing shot into the far corner to give the club a 1-0 lead. Brooklyn responded in the 41st minute, sending the teams into halftime level at 1-1.

Just seconds into the second half, Brooklyn took the lead, setting Fort Lauderdale with a deficit with 44 minutes to go. Fort Lauderdale pushed for an immediate response, earning three consecutive corner kicks in the 51st, 52nd and 53rd minutes. The equalizer came in the 64th minute, when Hamid finished clinically after a brilliant setup from Hugh to make it 2-2. Brooklyn was reduced to 10 players in the 77th minute after a red card, but despite the advantage, Fort Lauderdale conceded again in the 82nd minute. Jennison turned to the bench for the first subs of his tenure, introducing Daniela Todd and Kat González for Harding and Taylor Smith as the club searched for another equalizer in the late stages of the fixture. Vaka nearly leveled the match in the 85th minute with a long-range effort before playing a decisive role in stoppage time. In the 90th minute, she delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Simpson rose above the defense and powered home a header to tie the match at 3-3. Both sides pressed for a winner during 10 minutes of stoppage time, but neither could find the breakthrough, as Fort Lauderdale and Brooklyn played to a thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday evening.

Back in Action

Fort Lauderdale United returns to action on Saturday, February 21, when it travels to take on in-state rival Tampa Bay Sun FC in the Florida Derby. The clubs met twice in the Fall portion of the season, playing to a scoreless draw in Tampa Bay (Oct. 4) and a 1-1 draw in Fort Lauderdale (Nov. 15).

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Gainbridge Super League Stories from February 14, 2026


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