Tampa Bay Sun Face Ft. Lauderdale United Tonight After Winter Break

TAMPA, FL - Tampa Bay Sun FC returns to the field tonight at 7 p.m. EST for the spring season against Fort Lauderdale United FC at Riverfront Stadium. The schedule of the season was changed after Hurricane Milton last November. Ft. Lauderdale pulled off a surprise last minute score against the Sun in their last match-up, with the Sun giving up a goal in the 92nd minute to turn a Sun win into a tie.

The team is celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Feb. 5) today, as Tampa Bay's first women's pro sports team heads into the second half of the season. The match will feature special guests who've helped create opportunities for women and girls in sports in Tampa Bay. Tickets are available online still with more info at tampabaysunfc.com starting at $14.

Tonight's winner will move into 3rd in the league—above the cutoff for making the playoffs.

New to Tampa Bay Sun FC ahead of the team’s playoff push are defender Jordan Zade, forward Parker Goins, defender Victoria Haugen, defender Jaqueline (Jackie) Simpson, and mascot Solé.

The Sun have unveiled their new mascot, Solé (pronounced “so-LAY”). She's a stylized lizard with bright colors, who the team is calling their "forever teammate." She has her own jersey and a role on her team that is just as important as all the others: supporting her teammates and the Tampa Bay community.

Zade has a successful collegiate career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She logged more than 5,000 minutes and contributed to 21 goals over her four seasons at the school, earning Second Team All-Big Ten (2023), United Coaches All-Region Third Team (2023), and Big Ten Preseason Player to Watch (2024) honors.

Goins arrives in Tampa after having previously played for the NWSL’s Racing Louisville FC. Goins made a name for herself during her time in college, helping the Arkansas Razorbacks win the 2021 SEC Regular Season Championship. She was named SEC Midfielder of the Year (2021) as a result of her contributions that season.

Haugen was a bold defender and four-year starter during her collegiate career at Virginia Tech. She led the Hokies in minutes played in both her junior and senior years. After her senior season in 2024, Haugen spent time with the North Carolina Courage of the NWSL and represented the club in the first women’s edition of The Soccer Tournament, helping her team reach the event’s final round. Internationally, she has represented Norway in worldwide competition.

Simpson attended the University of South Florida, where she was a standout player known for her skill, determination, and leadership on the field. After her collegiate career, she took her talents overseas, playing professionally in Spain for UDG Tenerife, where she gained valuable international experience

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 10 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.