Match Analysis

Match Analysis: Tampa Bay Sun FC 1, Sporting JAX 1

Jacksonville, Florida (October 18, 2025) – Tampa Bay Sun FC earned a hard-fought point on the road Saturday night, drawing 1–1 with Sporting JAX Women in a match defined by physical play, defensive resilience, and moments of brilliance from both sides.

First Half: Nasello Strikes from Distance

The Sun asserted themselves early, pressing high and creating the first few chances of the evening. Their breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Sydny Nasello unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from over 35 yards out, curling into the top left corner to give Tampa Bay a 1–0 lead. The moment was emblematic of Nasello’s confidence and creativity, her fifth goal of the season coming from pure instinct and audacity.

The remainder of the first half saw Sporting JAX build pressure but struggle to find clear openings. Tampa Bay’s back line, anchored by Vivianne Bessette and Brooke Hendrix, blocked several dangerous attempts from distance, while goalkeeper Sydney Schneider calmly handled a series of corners to preserve the advantage heading into halftime.

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Second Half: Set Pieces Shift the Tide

Sporting JAX emerged from the break with renewed intensity, controlling possession and testing Tampa Bay’s structure. Schneider produced a crucial save in the 54th minute on a long-range effort from Grace Phillpotts, keeping the Sun in front as the hosts pushed forward.

Tampa Bay made a series of tactical substitutions to manage tempo and add fresh energy, including the introductions of Emma Gaines-Ramos and McKenna Battilla. Despite several promising counterattacks, the Sun couldn’t find the second goal to seal it.

In the 83rd minute, Sporting JAX found their equalizer. After a set piece into the box wasn’t cleared cleanly, Ashlyn Puerta pounced on the loose ball, slotting a left-footed shot into the bottom corner to level the score at 1–1.

Final Minutes: A Battle of Wills

The closing stages were tense and physical, with both sides trading fouls and half-chances. Bessette nearly restored the lead for Tampa Bay in stoppage time with a powerful effort from distance, but her strike was saved by Kaitlyn Parks. The Sun held firm defensively through five added minutes to secure a point on the road.

HEAR FROM THE SUN

“I thought we started well and showed real intent in the first half. Sydny’s goal was a moment of quality, and we managed the game well for long stretches. But we let the tempo slip late, and at this level, those moments matter. We’re building a team that competes every minute, home or away, and tonight was another step in that process. I’m proud of the fight, but we expect more from ourselves in closing games out,” Denise Schilte-Brown on the result in Jacksonville.

“I picked up a loose ball, took one look at the keeper and saw she was off her line so I went for it with no hesitation and it worked in my favor, thank goodness,” Sydny Nasello on her long-distance goal.

“It’s not the result we wanted, but we’ll keep pushing. We haven’t found the win yet, but it’s coming. Earning a point on the road shows our mentality, we’re resilient, we believe in the process, and we’ll keep building,” Vivianne Bessette warning a point on the road.

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Analysis & Takeaways

• Nasello’s Brilliance: Her early goal set the tone and underscored her importance as a creative outlet and finisher.
• Defensive Discipline: Tampa Bay blocked numerous attempts and maintained composure under sustained pressure.
• Set Piece Vulnerability: The equalizer again highlighted the fine margins of defending late-game restarts.
• Road Resolve: Despite conceding late, the Sun displayed grit and organization away from home, continuing their strong defensive trend across recent fixtures.

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Next Match

Tampa Bay Sun FC next match continues on the road on November 9 heading to face Spokane Zephyr FC.

Match Analysis: Brooklyn FC 2, Tampa Bay Sun FC 2
October 2025 | Brooklyn, NY

Tampa Bay Sun FC walked away from Brooklyn with a hard-fought point in a dramatic 2–2 draw that stretched deep into stoppage time. It was a night of resilience, near-misses, and a reminder of how thin the margins can be at the top of the table.

First Half: Tampa Bay Strikes First

The Sun entered the match with purpose, asserting control in possession and pressing high. Their early dominance was rewarded in the 38th minute when Natasha Flint continued her fine run of form, converting from close range after clever link-up play with Sydny Nasello. The goal showcased Tampa Bay’s signature fluid attack—quick, decisive, and rooted in chemistry between the front line.

Goalkeeper Sydney Schneider kept Brooklyn at bay with two key saves in the opening ten minutes, commanding her box as Brooklyn threatened through Rebecca Cooke and Sam Rosette. Despite a physical first half, the Sun maintained composure and took a 1–0 lead into the break.

Second Half: End-to-End Football

Brooklyn came out energized after halftime, introducing Catherine Zimmerman and Sofia Lewis to shift the tempo. The hosts found their equalizer in the 61st minute when Rebecca Cooke finished calmly into the bottom corner after a well-timed assist from Leah Scarpelli.

The Sun responded with poise. Substitutions from Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown brought fresh legs and structure, and the impact was immediate. In the 80th minute, Ava Tankersley restored the lead with a brilliant curling strike to the top corner, assisted by Gabby Provenzano. It was a moment of individual quality that encapsulated Tampa Bay’s attacking depth.

Late Drama: A Cruel Finish

As the clock wound down, Tampa Bay looked set for all three points. Mackenzie Pluck nearly sealed the win with a thunderous effort off the crossbar in the 83rd minute, and moments later, Carlee Giammona forced a last-ditch block inside the six-yard box.

But football can be ruthless. Deep into stoppage time, Brooklyn capitalized on a set-piece delivery. Catherine Zimmerman rose above the defense to nod home the equalizer in the 91st minute, breaking Tampa Bay hearts and forcing a share of the spoils.

Key Performers

• Natasha Flint: Clinical finish, relentless work rate up top.
• Ava Tankersley: Created constant danger on the right flank; stunning goal.
• Sydney Schneider: Commanding presence in goal with several crucial saves.
• Mackenzie Pluck: A creative spark in midfield, nearly scored a spectacular winner.

Final Whistle

The 2–2 draw extends Tampa Bay’s unbeaten streak but feels like two points lost after leading twice. Still, there is much to build upon. The Sun’s attack continues to shine, their spirit unwavering. As the season deepens, this match may stand as a lesson in finishing strong—and in defending the Bay until the final whistle.

MATCH RECAP

Tampa Bay Sun FC fought back to secure a hard-earned point in a tense 1-1 draw against Dallas Trinity FC at Suncoast Credit Union Field. Dallas took the lead in the 6th minute when Allie Thornton finished calmly into the top corner after being set up by Chioma Ubogagu. Despite sustained pressure from the visitors, the Sun found their breakthrough in the 68th minute when Carlee Giammona’s precise strike from outside the box nestled into the bottom corner, assisted by Sydny Nasello.

The match was a physical contest, with both sides exchanging fouls and yellow cards as the intensity grew. Tampa Bay’s back line held firm against late Dallas chances, including a close-range header that flew over the bar in stoppage time. The Sun’s resilience and Giammona’s moment of quality ensured the points were shared, keeping momentum alive as the season moves forward.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: TAMPA BAY SUN FC vs DALLAS TRINITY FC ON 09/20/2025

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MATCH ANALYSIS

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NEXT MATCH

The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club returns to Suncoast Credit Union Field on Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 pm EST for a clash with Fort Lauderdale United FC. This is a rematch of the 2024/25 Gainbirdge Super League Championship. The evening will spotlight our annual Kick for the Cure match, presented by Tampa General Hospital. Fans will experience a powerful night of football united with purpose, honoring survivors and raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

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Sun Struggle to Find Footing as Spokane Strikes Twice Before the Break

The opening half in Spokane belonged to the home side, who carried a two-goal advantage into the break. Tampa Bay Sun battled to find rhythm, yet found themselves tested by Zephyr’s pressing play and clinical moments in the final third.

Tampa Bay looked to strike back late in the half when head coach Denise Schilte-Brown introduced McKenna Battilla for Hannah Keane. Almost immediately, Battilla carved out a chance, latching onto a Sydny Nasello delivery inside the box, but her effort sailed high of the target. It was the Sun’s brightest glimpse of the first period and a sign of intent to respond.

The half closed with tension rising. A series of physical duels saw Jillian Shimkin dismissed for violent conduct just three minutes after the restart, reducing Tampa Bay to ten players. Soon after, Siena Bryan went into the referee’s book for a foul in midfield, forcing the Sun to manage discipline alongside the mounting scoreline.

At halftime, Spokane led 2-0, leaving Tampa Bay with a mountain to climb and the challenge of playing the entire second half a player down.

Sun Battle with Ten, Create Chances but Fall Short in Spokane

The second half began with Tampa Bay Sun facing an uphill battle, already two goals down and soon reduced to ten players after Jillian Shimkin was shown a red card in the 48th minute. Despite the disadvantage, the Sun pressed forward and carved out some of their best opportunities of the night.

A flurry of chances arrived just before the hour mark. From successive corners, Carlee Giammona rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike, while Gabby Provenzano and Brooke Hendrix both saw efforts blocked inside a crowded penalty area. Emma Gaines-Ramos also tested Spokane’s back line, but her shot from distance was deflected away.

Head coach Denise Schilte-Brown turned to her bench, introducing Sandrine Gaillard and Natasha Flint. Both substitutes injected new energy. Flint’s left-footed effort was blocked, and moments later she supplied the cross that found Gaillard for a dangerous header in the 80th minute, denied only by Spokane’s defense. McKenna Battilla also threatened from range, forcing goalkeeper Hope Hisey into a save.

As the minutes wore on, frustration grew. Sydny Nasello was shown a yellow card in stoppage time as Spokane managed the game and protected their lead. Seven added minutes gave the Sun a final push, but no breakthrough came.

The match ended 2–0 in favor of Spokane Zephyr, with Tampa Bay left to rue missed opportunities and the costly red card early in the half. The Sun will now look to regroup and channel their fight into next week’s return to Suncoast Credit Union Field.

QUOTES ON THE MATCH

“It was a tough match for us tonight. Going down a player early in the second half made it an uphill climb, but I was proud of the way our group responded. We showed resilience, created good chances, and continued to fight until the final whistle. That spirit is something we will carry with us as we prepare to return home.”

Head Coach, Denise Schilte-Brown

“I think we will need to pick our heads up and it was unlucky with the red card. I think we played well in the first half and the score doesn’t reflect the way we played and fought as a team”

Jordyn Listro

“It felt great to be back on the pitch. It’s not an ideal situation coming in 2-0 down, but I just did what I could do for the team, to not concede some more goals, and I think we’ll, we’ve played very good football. I think we started off being the team on top, but we just obviously conceded the two goals and didn’t finish our chances, so we’ll take that into next week.

Tash Flint

WATCH VIDEO: Tampa Bay Sun FC at Spokane Zephyr FC

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NEXT MATCH

Tampa Bay’s next match is home vs Dallas Trinity FC on Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 pm EST at Suncoast Credit Union Field. This is a rematch of the 2024/25 playoff semifinal. The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club will be celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with the theme of ‘Noche Latina’. Experience match day featuring a pregame fan zone, happy hour, live music from Mariachi Cielito Lindo, Salsa class with Solé and local Tampa Bay vendors.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Tampa Bay Sun Football Club secured their first point of the 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League campaign with a 2-2 draw on the road against Carolina Ascent FC on Saturday evening.

Carolina opened the scoring in the first half through Mia Corbin, sending the hosts into the break with a narrow advantage. After halftime, the Sun struck back as forward Sydny Nasello slotted home the equalizer, capitalizing on a sharp assist from Gaines-Ramos. Moments later, history was made when Gabby Provenzano rose above the defense to head in her first professional goal, giving Tampa Bay the 2-1 lead, goal assisted by Sabrina McNeil.

The night also marked a milestone for McKenna Battilla, who made her professional career debut for the Sun.

Carolina would not relent, however, and in stoppage time Madison Mercardo delivered a stunning strike to level the score. The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 result, with both sides taking a point apiece.

The draw sees Carolina Ascent move to 6th place with two points, while Tampa Bay begin their climb with their first result of the season.

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Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown reflected on the performance:

“We started a little slow tonight and had trouble finding our rhythm and defensive connectivity. But I’m proud of the way we responded in the second half, fighting hard and scoring two great goals on the road against a very strong opponent. Earning a point away from home is progress, and we’ll keep building each game as this talented team continues to grow.”

Gabby Provenzano, who scored her first professional goal, shared:

“Knew my responsibility and credit to Sab (Sabrina McNeil) for putting in a great back post ball. I was able to break away from my defender to get my head on the ball and find the back of the net,” Gabby Provenzano on her first career goal. “It was huge. It helped us climb back. We pride ourselves on set pieces goals so that was a big moment to build momentum”

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NEXT MATCH

Tampa Bay’s next match is away at Spokane Zephyr FC on Saturday, September 13 at 9:00 p.m EST. The next Sun home game is a rematch of the 2024/25 playoff semifinal on Saturday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dallas Trinity FC at Suncoast Credit Union Field, Home of the Tampa Bay Sun Football Club.

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Brooklyn secured the points with two second-half goals before Tampa Bay pulled one back in stoppage time

Hosts seize control after the break

A tight first half yielded few clear chances. The game swung on 56 minutes when Catherine Zimmerman finished from close range to put Brooklyn ahead. Antoinette Williams doubled the lead on 72 minutes, capitalizing on sustained home pressure.

Sun response in stoppage time

Tampa Bay turned to their bench in search of a way back. Jillian Shimkin replaced Ava Tankersley at halftime, followed by Gabby Provenzano for Mackenzie Pluck on 64 minutes. Emma Gaines-Ramos came on for Victoria Haugen four minutes later, and Hannah Keane replaced Jordan Zade in the closing stages.

The Sun pressed forward in the final minutes and found their breakthrough in stoppage time. Carlee Giammona struck in the 90+4 minute, converting late pressure into a deserved goal and ensuring a tense finish before Brooklyn closed out the result.

Sun Captain Jordyn Listro: “Brooklyn is a hard environment to play in, and I don’t think we played our normal game. But there were positive moments, especially with the goal late in the final half, and those are things we can go back to and build on moving forward.”

Sun Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown: “It’s always a tough battle coming to Brooklyn. The surface is challenging, the environment is challenging, and they have a very competitive team. That being said, I’m very proud of our ladies. They fought hard and kept it close, but time ran out before we could equalize. We’ll continue to grow and improve as we embark on this season to defend our title.”

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FACTS AND STATS

• Goals: Zimmerman 56, Williams 72; Giammona 90+4.
• Substitutions: Shimkin (45’), Provenzano (64’), Gaines-Ramos (68’), Keane (85’)

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WHAT’S NEXT

Tampa Bay Sun FC return home on Saturday, August 30, for a marquee clash with Sporting Jacksonville, marking the club’s official home opener and trophy presentation night.

Tampa, FL (February 22, 2025) –  Tampa Bay Sun FC scored first, but Brooklyn FC came back to tie the game with a final score of 1-1 in a tough battle at Riverfront Stadium in Downtown Tampa. This is the fifth straight home game without a loss for the Sun.

The Sun took an early 1-0 lead against the first place Brooklyn FC into the locker room at the break. Brooklyn FC came back to tie it up 1-1 in the second half. 

MATCH RECAP

Tampa Bay took the early lead while holding Brooklyn FC scoreless in the first half.

Jade Moore put Tampa Bay on the board first with a goal in the 42nd minute. That was Moore’s first goal with the Sun. Tash Flint had the assist. 

MacKenzie Pluck of Brooklyn FC scored in the 58th minute to tie it up.

Ava Tankersley played her professional first game of her career after joining Tampa Bay Sun earlier in the week. She was a two-time SEC Forward of the Year with Arkansas.

QUOTES

Coach Denise Schilte-Brown on the result:

“I was really really proud of the ladies tonight. I think that they listened, they executed what we asked them to do tactically. We got the tie, and I thought we could have won.”

Jade Moore on her goal:

“Good for the group, happy for myself to do something the coaching staff has asked me to perfect. In that moment, I actually swapped with Tash in the nine, and I was like ‘You go be a midfielder for a minute.’ I found myself in the nine position, which is very rare for me. But I just thought execute, hit the target, and lucky for me obviously it went in.”

NEXT MATCH

Tampa Bay will host a historic match against Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League on Sunday, March 2 at 6:00 p.m. This groundbreaking game will be one of the first times a team from the newly established USL Super League has taken on a team from America’s other top-tier women’s professional soccer league—the long-established NWSL. The matchup will feature Olympic gold medalists, members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and veterans of World Cup competition.

The Sun’s next league match takes them on the road to cross-state rival Fort Lauderdale United FC on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. 

 FINAL RESULT

Brooklyn FC 1 – Tampa Bay Sun FC 1

Saturday, February 22 | 7:00 p.m. | Riverfront Stadium at Blake High School

About Tampa Bay Sun FC

Tampa Bay Sun FC is the first professional women’s soccer team in Tampa, Florida. The Sun light up the pitch, playing their home games in a stunning newly-renovated riverfront stadium situated along Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. Joining the USL Super League’s historic inaugural season, the Tampa Bay Sun FC is one of eight initial markets paving the way for a national expansion of first-division professional women’s soccer. With a shared vision to become a global leader in the sport, both on and off the field, paves the way for increased opportunities for talented female athletes across the country, fostering growth and empowerment within local communities. For more information, visit TampaBaySunFC.com