TAMPA, Fla. — With a gritty 1-1 draw on the road against league-leaders Carolina, Tampa Bay Sun FC clinched a postseason berth in their inaugural USL Super League campaign — a significant milestone for the expansion club that has quickly asserted itself among the league’s top contenders.
The result, forged by Cecilie Fløe Nielsen’s equalizer in the 23rd minute after Carolina's Eli Hutchinson opened the scoring, was enough to guarantee the Sun a place in the league’s first-ever playoff bracket. Tampa Bay now sits inside the top four of the eight-team table, securing one of the coveted semifinal spots.
“We’re riding the energy of this city,” said club president and general manager Christina Unkel, speaking to Tampa Bay Times. “The support has been incredible, and it’s translating into historic results on the pitch.”
Goalkeeper Sydney Schneider delivered another composed performance, registering four saves to keep Tampa Bay level and help preserve one of the stingiest defensive records in the league — just 28 goals conceded to date. Paired with a vibrant attack that has tallied 40 goals this season, the Sun have crafted a balanced, playoff-ready profile.
While Tampa Bay celebrated its postseason breakthrough, Carolina emerged from the match with the USL Super League Players’ Shield, earning the league’s top seed and home-field advantage for the semifinals on June 7.
The Sun will have a chance to secure similar privileges when they host DC Power FC in their final regular season fixture this Saturday, May 24, at Riverfront Stadium. With a win, Tampa Bay would finish in the top two and claim the right to host their own semifinal match — a potentially decisive advantage in the single-elimination format.
This weekend’s clash is poised to be more than just a playoff tune-up. It marks the conclusion of the Sun’s first regular season and, fittingly, the finale is nearly sold out. The club also opened its campaign with a sellout, making it the only team in the league to bookend its season with capacity crowds — a testament to how quickly the franchise has built a following in the Tampa Bay community.
To celebrate the occasion, the club is planning a series of events around Saturday’s game, including a fireworks display on the riverfront and post-match festivities commemorating their inaugural season. The team will also hold an open practice for fans on Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m.
For a club that didn’t exist a year ago, Tampa Bay Sun FC has quickly made itself a story worth watching. With a playoff spot secured and home-field still within reach, the Sun’s rise continues — and they’re bringing a city along with them.
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