Fort Lauderdale United FC closed out the Fall portion of the 2025–26 Gainbridge Super League season with a 3–1 loss to Spokane Zephyr FC on Saturday night at Beyond Bancard Field.

Despite the defeat, the match marked a milestone moment for Fort Lauderdale forward Kiara Locklear, who scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season and became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 12 career goals.

The loss dropped Fort Lauderdale United to 4-4-6 on the season, finishing the Fall schedule with 18 points — the same total as Spokane (4-6-6). Fort Lauderdale earned points in 10 of its 14 Fall matches and will now break for the holidays before resuming league play in late January.

Spokane seized control early, opening the scoring in the fifth minute and forcing Fort Lauderdale to chase the match from the outset. The home side created several dangerous chances in the first half through Sh’nia Gordon, Kelli Van Treeck and Locklear, but was unable to convert. Spokane doubled its advantage in the 44th minute, sending Fort Lauderdale into halftime trailing 2-0.

Head coach adjustments at the break saw Jasmine Hamid and Kat González enter the match, immediately injecting energy into the attack. Hamid nearly pulled one back in the 47th minute, but her effort was blocked inside the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Bella Hara kept Fort Lauderdale within reach with key saves in the 57th and 67th minutes, but Spokane struck again shortly thereafter to extend the lead to 3-0. Two minutes later, Spokane was reduced to 10 players after receiving a red card, giving Fort Lauderdale a man advantage for the final 20 minutes.

Fort Lauderdale capitalized soon after, as Van Treeck played a long ball forward that Locklear finished inside the box to make it 3-1. González nearly added another in the 78th minute, but her shot was turned aside. Late substitutions, including Sophie Harding and Lilly McCarthy, helped sustain pressure, though the comeback effort ultimately fell short.

Fort Lauderdale United will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 31, hosting top-seeded Lexington SC in a highly anticipated matchup. The clubs previously played to a 3-3 draw in the season opener on Aug. 23 in Fort Lauderdale, with Lexington winning the return fixture on Oct. 16.

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