Tampa Bay Sun FC claim inaugural USL Super League Championship, beat Fort Lauderdale United FC in overtime thriller

TAMPA, Fla. – In front of a sold out crowd, Tampa Bay Sun FC beat Fort Lauderdale United FC 1-0 to win the first USL Super League Championship. Heat was rising over Riverfront Stadium as both teams looked to make history for their respective clubs.

In the first overtime, Tampa Bay Sun's Cecilie Fløe Nielsen scored in the 100th minute to crown her team as champions on Saturday night.

The stadium was rocking pre-game. There were adopting dog stations, face painting booths, all the food trucks and merchandise one could hope for - ass the temperature reached 85 degrees ahead of the first kick.

The first-half was an even battle, with Fort Lauderdale creating several problems early on down the line thanks to creative one-vs-one play from Sh’Nia Gordon on the right wing. Tampa Bay found their stride as the half went on, with smart midfield distribution and some clever over the top play from Jordyn Listro and Natasha Flint.

After a very level 45, the two teams entered half-time level at 0-0. Before the second half began, the USL Super League crowned Spokane Zephyr FC's Emina Ekic as the league's Player of the Year at midfield.

“I’m very honored to be the USL Super League’s very first Player of the Year,” Ekić said. “I’m grateful to my friends and family for their support, my teammates for being instrumental parts of my journey this season, and Spokane for their unconditional commitment to the club.”

As the weather cooled off, both teams took the pitch for the second half.

Tampa Bay put the heat on Fort Lauderdale's backline, with some tough runs from Cecilie Fløe Nielsen and Brooke Hendrix challenging keeper Cosette Morché.

Turns out 90 minutes wasn't enough. In the 100th minute, striker Nielsen changed the game for home team Tampa Bay by opening the scoring. Nielsen is a Danish footballer who previously played for HB Køge from 2021-2024. She finished a one-time volley off an end-line service from Sydny Nasello.

Nasello received the ball off of a throw-in and took the ball end-line, weaving and dancing around Fort Lauderdale defenders before serving a dangerous ball across the box. After two overtime periods, Tampa Bay Sun FC claimed the 1-0 result and were crowned inaugural champions.

Tampa Bay Sun FC were the first USL Super League team to clinch a spot in the final, after they defeated Dallas Trinity. Fort Lauderdale United pulled off an epic upset in the semifinals against top-seeded Carolina Ascent FC to make it to the final at Riverfront Stadium in Tampa.

Fort Lauderdale United FC's Kiara Locklear scored the second-half equalizer to send the semis into extra-time, and then found a second wind to score the game-winner in the 120th minute. On Saturday, the two Florida sides met with everything on the line with the league's first USL Championship.

The USL Super League will take a brief break before the league's second season begins in August. All eight teams return for next season, in addition to a ninth, Sporting Jax, out of Jacksonville, Florida.