Home Sweet Home
Tampa Bay Sun FC returns home tonight, Saturday, September 12, 2026, for the club’s 2026 Fall Season home opener against Fort Lauderdale United FC at Suncoast Credit Union Field. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET as the Sun open their home schedule with the first Florida Derby of the fall.
Saturday’s matchup comes after Tampa Bay opened the season with three consecutive road matches, earning a 1-1 draw against Dallas Trinity FC, falling 3-2 to Sporting JAX and closing out the road swing with a 2-1 victory over Carolina Ascent FC.
When & Where
Matchup: Tampa Bay Sun FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United FC
Where: Suncoast Credit Union Field | Tampa, Florida
When: Saturday, September 12 | 6:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Peacock
Home Sweet Home
After opening the fall campaign on the road, the Sun finally return to Tampa with momentum on their side.
Tampa Bay enters Saturday’s home opener with a 1-1-1 record and four points through the opening three matches of the fall. The Sun opened the season with a 1-1 draw against Dallas before falling to Sporting JAX, then bounced back with a 2-1 victory over Carolina Ascent in their most recent outing.
Against Carolina, Shea Connors converted from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute before Sydny Nasello found the game-winning goal in the 75th minute off an assist from Darya Rajaee. The victory gave Tampa Bay its first three points of the fall.
Now, the Sun bring that momentum home for the first time this season.
A Familiar Florida Foe
Saturday marks the 10th all-time meeting between Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale, with the Sun unbeaten in the series.
The clubs first met during the inaugural 2024-25 season, including a championship matchup that saw Tampa Bay defeat Fort Lauderdale 1-0 in extra time to claim the first USL Super League Championship.
The rivalry continued throughout the 2025-26 season, with the teams playing to draws in their first two meetings before Tampa Bay earned back-to-back victories. The Sun defeated Fort Lauderdale 2-0 on February 21 before claiming a 2-1 road win on May 2.
Through nine all-time meetings, Tampa Bay holds a 4-0-5 record against Fort Lauderdale.
Two Teams, One Florida Derby
Fort Lauderdale enters Saturday with a 1-2-0 record and three points through its first three matches of the fall. The club opened the season with a draw against Sporting JAX before earning a 1-0 victory over Brooklyn FC. Fort Lauderdale then fell 1-0 to Carolina Ascent in its most recent match.
Saturday will be Fort Lauderdale’s second consecutive road match as the club looks to close out its road trip with points. Meanwhile, the Sun will look to protect home turf and extend their unbeaten record against their in-state rival.
With both teams looking to build momentum early in the fall campaign, Saturday’s Florida Derby gives the Sun an opportunity to make an early statement in front of the home crowd.
A Night to Celebrate
Tonight’s home opener is more than the first home match of the fall.
The Sun will celebrate Salute to Service, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, honoring members of the military and first responder communities and recognizing those who have served our country.
After three matches on the road to begin the fall campaign, Tampa Bay will finally have its home crowd behind it as the Sun look to start the home portion of the season with three points.
Player Availability
Tampa Bay Sun FC
- Liz Beardsley, OUT, hand
- Eleanor Dale, OUT, unavailable
- Alexis Theoret, Questionable
- Kennedy White, Questionable
Fort Lauderdale United FC
- Heather Hinz, OUT, elbow
- Julia Grosso, OUT, knee, SEI
The Home Opener Awaits
The wait is over.
After opening the 2026 Fall Season with three straight road matches, the Sun are back at Suncoast Credit Union Field for the first time this fall.
The Sun will look to carry the momentum from their 2-1 win over Carolina into tonight’s Florida Derby and give the home crowd plenty to celebrate.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET. Come out, celebrate Salute to Service and help the Sun get the home opener started right.
