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Fort Lauderdale United FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The club plays in the USL Super League, a new Division I league operated by the United Soccer League, and will participate in the USL Super League's inaugural season beginning in August 2024.[1] The team will play its home matches at a new soccer specific stadium being constructed at Nova Southeastern University.

The club is principally owned by Tommy Smith with Deon Graham serving as CEO.

History

On November 21, 2023, the USL Super League announced that it had awarded a franchise to Fort Lauderdale, making it the first professional women's soccer team in South Florida.[2] CEO and co-founder Deon Graham stated that the USL Super League and the club share the goal of promoting the "youth-to-pro" model for women's sports.[3]

On January 25, 2024, former Premier League superstar Tyrone Mears was announced as the team's first head coach.[4] On May 14, 2024, Felicia Knox was revealed as the team's first ever signing after being drafted by Angel City FC in the 2024 NWSL Draft.[5] One day later, the club welcomed defender Laveni Vaka who made history as Tonga's first female professional soccer player.[6] On June 26, 2024, the club announced its full coaching staff, with Alissa Rogers as Associate Head Coach and former Fort Lauderdale Strikers star Aly Hassan as Director of Recruitment.[7]

Stadium

The team will play at a brand new stadium at Nova Southeastern University on the site of the former Miami Dolphins training facility.[8][9] The $7 million project will seats nearly 7,000 fans and be completed before the club's first home match slated for September 29, 2024.[10]

Identity

The name and crest were unveiled on February 29, 2024.[8] The Fort Lauderdale United FC crest features the initials FTL prominently displayed, meant to intertwine like the canals of the city. The “glint” represents the vibrant sun bouncing off the waters the region is known for. The club’s colors represent Fort Lauderdale’s world-renowned beaches and shallow waters, with seafoam green contrasting the ocean blue.

Fort Lauderdale United FC is abbreviated to FTL UTD for short.

Players and Staff

Staff

As of March 11, 2024
Position Name
Chairman & founder Tommy Smith
CEO & co-founder Deon Graham
Head coach Tyrone Mears
Associate head coach Ali Rogers
Head of Recruiting Aly Hassan

Roster

As of May 24, 2024
No. Pos. Player Nation
— DF Celia Gaynor  United States
— DF Cameron Brooks  United States
— DF Laveni Vaka  Tonga
— MF Felicia Knox  United States
— MF Addie McCain  United States
— MF Darya Rajaee  United States
— FW Nia Christopher  Bermuda
— FW Gianna Gourley  United States
— FW Luana Grabias  Brazil
— DF Sheyenne Allen  United States
— GK Cosette Morché  United States
— FW Anna Henderson  United States
— DF Delaney Lindahl  United States
— MF Anele Komani  England
— MF Jasmine Hamid  United States
— DF Adrienne Jordan  United States

References

  1. ^ "USL Super League adds team in Fort Lauderdale for inaugural 2024-25 season". equalizersoccer.com. The Equalizer. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. ^ "USL Super League awards franchise to Fort Lauderdale". uslsuperleague.com. United Soccer League. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. ^ "USL Super League team CEO sets eye on scaling youth-to-pro pathway in women's sports". Fox News. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Super League Fort Lauderdale Appoints Tyrone Mears as Club's First Head Coach". uslsuperleague.com. United Soccer League. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Fort Lauderdale United FC announces first player, Felicia Knox". uslsuperleague.com. United Soccer League. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Fort Lauderdale United FC makes history signing Tonga's first female professional soccer player, Laveni Vaka". ftlutd.com. Fort Lauderdale United FC. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Fort Lauderdale United FC rounds out its coaching staff with dynamic Associate Head Coach and Head of Recruitment Appointments". ftlutd.com. Fort Lauderdale United FC. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b "FORT LAUDERDALE UNITED FC, ANNOUNCES NAME AND CREST". uslsuperleague.com. United Soccer League. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Nova Southeastern University to be Home to Super League Fort Lauderdale Women's Professional Soccer Team". news.nova.edu. Nova Southeastern University. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Nova Southeastern University stadium to host new pro soccer team, undergo $7M renovation". ftlutd.com. Fort Lauderdale United FC. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.

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