Fort Lauderdale United silences its doubters heading into inaugural USL final
That's how many fans believed Fort Lauderdale United FC had a shot at claiming the inaugural USL Super League championship, according to a leaguewide poll released on June 5.
Two days later, that 5% looked like the smartest people in the room.
With the semifinal tied deep into extra time, it was Fort Lauderdale's Kiara Locklear who delivered in the 119th minute. The Fort Lauderdale striker pounced on a loose ball that sailed past Carolina Ascent goalkeeper and into the back of the net — a stunner that knocked out the top-seeded favorites and booked the underdogs a golden ticket to Saturday's final.
'It's just fuel to the flame,' Locklear said at Thursday morning's news conference, reflecting on the team's mind-set going into the match. 'That 5% was just in our minds going into the semi final. I think even going into the final, there's still people that underestimate us, and we're just there to show up on Saturday and prove them wrong.'
Now, the No. 4-seed Fort Lauderdale United FC will face a familiar foe: the Tampa Bay Sun FC. They have played four times this season — three of them ending in a draw.
While the outside world may be surprised by the club with an overall record of 11-8-9, Fort Lauderdale head coach Tyrone Mears isn't. He knows the season has been far from perfect — 'a roller coaster,' as he puts it. Now, the team has to ride its momentum to the end.
'We have the quality, it's just been finding that consistency,' Mears said. 'I think they've really shown their character as the season's gone on — the willingness to fight and continue… I think what we showed towards the end of the season, we deserve to be in this final.'
Their final test won't be easy. Tampa Bay comes into the championship with four USL All-League selections, including forwards Tash Flint and Cecilie Floe, midfielder Sydny Nasello and defender Vivianne Bessette.
Fort Lauderdale has its own star power, too. Alongside striker Locklear, captain Addie McCain and forward Jasmine Hamid were named to the All-League roster, with McCain earning first-team honors.
'To be recognized by your peers, other coaches, it's huge. It means the world,' McCain said. 'But I think for me, like my goal is to win a championship for Fort Lauderdale… [my] eyes are on this weekend, and we want to bring a championship here. It's about what this team can do together one last time.'
On Saturday, Fort Lauderdale will get one last shot to silence the doubters. And if the squad has shown anything this season, it's that they never stop fighting, especially when no one sees them coming.
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