Carolina Calling
Tampa Bay Sun FC continues its 2026 Fall Season tonight, Saturday August 29, 2026, traveling north to face Carolina Ascent FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET as the Sun close out a three-match road swing to open the fall campaign.
Saturday’s match marks the first meeting between Tampa Bay and Carolina during the 2026 Fall Season, with the two clubs set to meet again in Tampa on October 10.
When & Where
Matchup: Tampa Bay Sun FC at Carolina Ascent FC
Where: American Legion Memorial Stadium | Charlotte, North Carolina
When: Saturday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Peacock
Building on the Attack
The Sun enter Saturday’s matchup with a 0-1-1 record through the opening three matches of the fall campaign.
Tampa Bay opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Dallas Trinity FC before earning a 3-2 loss against Sporting JAX last weekend. Despite the result in Jacksonville, the Sun continued to create opportunities and enter Saturday’s match leading the league in shots on target.
Against Sporting JAX, Shea Connors opened the scoring in the 35th minute, marking her first goal of the 2026 Fall Season. Jordan Zade also found the back of the net in the second half for her first professional goal with Tampa Bay.
The Sun will look to build on those attacking performances as they wrap up their season-opening road trip in Charlotte.
A Familiar Foe
Saturday will be the ninth all-time meeting between Tampa Bay and Carolina, with the Ascent holding a 3-2-3 advantage in the series. Carolina enters the matchup unbeaten in the last five meetings between the clubs and has won each of the last three.
The Ascent have also opened the 2026 Fall Season with two wins, defeating DC Power FC 1-0 and Dallas Trinity FC 3-1 on the road. The results have put Carolina at the top of the table entering its home opener.
Saturday’s matchup will be Carolina’s first home match of the fall, giving the Sun an opportunity to spoil the Ascent’s homecoming while picking up points of their own.
Eyes on the Road
Both clubs enter Saturday looking to continue building momentum, but for different reasons.
Carolina returns home after opening the season with back-to-back road victories, while Tampa Bay will look to bounce back from its first loss of the fall. With the Sun leading the league in shots on target and Carolina entering with a perfect 2-0-0 record, Saturday’s matchup brings together two teams that have already shown plenty of attacking potential early in the campaign.
With the final match of Tampa Bay’s opening road swing on the schedule, the Sun will look to close out the trip on a high note before returning home for the September 12 home opener against Fort Lauderdale United FC.
Player Availability
Tampa Bay Sun FC
- Dasia Torbert — Knee, Out
- Kenna White — Head, Out
- Emory Wegener — Hand, Out
- Eleanor Dale — Unavailable, Out
- Sabrina McNeill — Questionable, lower body
- Alexis Theoret — Questionable, lower body
Carolina Ascent FC
- Sydney Studer — Leg, Out
Back Home With the Sun
While the Sun take on Carolina in Charlotte, the Sun community will be together in St. Pete cheering them on!
Join us at Green Bench Brewing for an official Tampa Bay Sun FC watch party starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. Bring your friends, meet fellow Sunchasers and cheer on the Sun together from Tampa Bay.
And there’s a little extra incentive to get there early: the first 20 fans will receive a complimentary beer.
Whether you’re in Charlotte or cheering from Tampa Bay, let’s bring the energy for the Sun as they close out their opening road trip of the fall.
Back Home on September 12
It’s almost time to return to Suncoast Credit Union Field. Tampa Bay will host Fort Lauderdale United FC on Saturday, September 12, for the club’s 2026 Fall Season home opener.
The match will also be Salute to Service, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, celebrating the military and first responder community and those who have served our country.
Tickets are on sale now! Grab yours and be there as the Sun return home!
