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Fort Lauderdale United FC Commits $350,000 Investment in Broward College Athletic Infrastructure

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Fort Lauderdale United FC and Broward College are advancing plans for a strategic collaboration aimed at improving existing athletic facilities, expanding access to youth sports programming and strengthening the connection between two organizations committed to serving the Broward County community.

The proposed partnership represents a significant commitment by Fort Lauderdale United FC to support the improvement of Broward College’s athletic infrastructure while creating additional opportunities for the club to expand its growing youth sports initiatives.

At the center of the collaboration is an estimated $350,000 investment in planned capital improvements to Broward College’s Central Campus athletic facilities. The proposed project would transform existing baseball fields and adjacent outdoor spaces into revitalized, multipurpose athletic fields capable of supporting soccer programming, recreational activities and community events.

Planned improvements include the re-grassing and conversion of existing playing surfaces for soccer use, upgrades to irrigation systems, restoration of field lighting and removal of outdated equipment and debris. Additional improvements are proposed for adjacent athletic areas, with supporting infrastructure upgrades intended to enhance the overall functionality and accessibility of the facilities.

The revitalized spaces would serve a dual purpose, supporting Broward College students and intramural programming while providing Fort Lauderdale United FC with additional facilities for club activities, youth development programs, training and community engagement. Broward College students would retain first priority for facility use, with additional programming coordinated through the College.

“This is about much more than improving athletic fields. It’s about investing in the future of Broward County,” said Tommy Smith, Chairman and Founder of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “We’re building a professional athletic organization with deep roots in this community, and that responsibility extends well beyond what happens on the field on matchday. Working alongside Broward College gives us an opportunity to bring new life to existing facilities, create more places for young athletes to develop and build something that can benefit local families and students for years to come.”

The proposed agreement would also provide Fort Lauderdale United FC with coordinated access to additional Central Campus infrastructure, including existing gymnasium facilities and adjacent athletic areas. These resources could help accommodate the continued expansion of the club’s youth development programming, clinics, training opportunities and other sports-related activities.

For Broward College, the collaboration offers an opportunity to enhance existing campus resources through private investment while strengthening recreational opportunities and supporting student engagement.

“Soccer has a bright future in Broward County, and Broward College is excited to help grow the sport locally through this partnership,” said Terry Mularkey, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and CEO, Broward College Foundation.

Beyond the initial improvements at Central Campus, Fort Lauderdale United FC and Broward College also intend to explore opportunities involving athletic infrastructure at the College’s North and South campuses. These discussions could create additional avenues for youth sports programming and recreational opportunities throughout Broward County.

The proposed collaboration reflects Fort Lauderdale United FC’s broader vision of creating a sustainable soccer organization with a meaningful community presence. Through its professional women’s team, upcoming men’s professional team and expanding youth development initiatives, the club is working to establish opportunities for athletes at multiple levels while growing the sport throughout South Florida.

“We see tremendous potential in what we can build together,” Smith added. “As our club continues to grow, we want that growth to create opportunities throughout Broward County. Whether it’s a young player attending their first clinic, a college student participating in recreational sports or a family discovering the game, these are the connections that make a community stronger.”

The organizations will continue working toward definitive agreements outlining facility improvements, programming opportunities and long-term collaboration.

About Fort Lauderdale United FC: Fort Lauderdale United FC is South Florida’s first and only professional women’s soccer club competing in the Gainbridge Super League with a men’s team set to debut in USL League One in 2027. Together with its youth development programs, Fort Lauderdale United FC is building a connected soccer organization designed to grow the game and create a lasting connection with communities across South Florida.

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Match recap: Unforced errors cost Atlanta United in loss to Chicago Fire

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5 days ago

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October 24, 2026

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Against the top teams in the conference, a mistake-free match isn’t a nice-to-have but an imperative for success. The 5-Stripes created and converted on the attacking end twice, but a pair of defensive miscues in the second half were costly enough to decide the match. Atlanta United fell 3-2 to Chicago Fire in their penultimate home match of the 2026 season.

What happened

The 5-Stripes jumped out the gate with purpose, pushing forward on the right side with Tomás Jacob overlapping attackers. He was to thank for the earliest goal of Atlanta United’s season, finding room on the right side of the box from a keen through ball from Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan had picked the ball up from midfield and dribbled all the way to the edge of the box before dishing it across to Jacob, who finished with power past Chris Brady in the 4th minute.

Chicago tried their hand at possession to settle into the match, but Atlanta United were chaotic in defense and eager to win the ball back. That early energy dissipated as the visitors kept pressing, and the Fire jumped out to

Philip Zinckernagel hit the crossbar on a rogue attempt from the left side of the box in the 25th minute that Lucas Hoyos may have gotten a touch on. Chicago did eventually find an equalizer in the 30th minute. The ball fell outside the box after a corner kick, and a crisp strike on the half volley from Anton Salétros snuck through defenders and past Hoyos.

Paulo Díaz had to make a sliding stop to prevent a possible second for Chicago in the 32nd minute, putting his body on the line to block a shot inside the box.

Breel Embolo had a great look saved by Brady in the 35th minute, as Mauricio Amaro did some lovely work to get the ball into a dangerous area. His cross was driven low, and the Swiss forward struck the ball cleanly but right at the Chicago keeper. The U.S. international picked up an injury making the save, though he carried on.

The 5-Stripes finished out the half with vigor, and Embolo scored a goal in what would eventually be ruled an offside run by Jacob before playing the cross to his forward. Things were starting to heat up just as the referee blew the whistle for halftime.

Chicago missed an open net on the first real chance of the second half, as Maren Haile-Selassie skied a chance with no one in goal. A minute later, the 5-Stripes gifted them a second goal. Substitute Anzor Mekvabishvili turned in a simple finish after winning a tackle and intercepting a routine pass at the back from Hoyos, leaving the 5-Stripes with a frustrating 2-1 deficit.

Atlanta United surrendered an indirect free kick in the 57th minute when Hoyos picked up a back pass from Elías Báez. It left Chicago with a rare free kick inside of the 6-yard box, which after a flurry of whistle restarts for players jumping too early, they dispatched for 3-1. Zinckernagel was the man to roof the ball into the net.

The 5-Stripes got one back 10 minutes later in the 67th when Breel Embolo thumped a header past Brady. Báez put in a whipped cross to the forward, whose header was pure to bring Atlanta United back into the match.

Atlanta’s striker broke away in the 70th minute and missed a golden opportunity to level the scoring. Embolo ran onto a deep clearance and got one-on-one with the keeper. but couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball. He missed the frame of the goal wide right.

So it was the hosts pressing for an equalizer down the stretch, playing a daring high line and going for points they desperately needed. They got five minutes of stoppage time to pull it off, but Chicago’s low-block defending was enough to finish off the match, and the 5-Stripes lost 3-2.

Standouts

  • Miguel Almirón continued his bright post-World-Cup form with another goal contribution, an assist where he brought the ball from midfield and ushered it to Tomás Jacob for the first goal. It was Almirón’s 15th MLS match with multiple chances created since the break, tying him with Carles Gil for most such by any MLS player in that time.

Milestones

  • Miguel Almirón became Atlanta United’s outright leader in assists on the season with 8.
  • Mauricio Amaro picked up his first two assists with the 5-Stripes with a secondary assist on both of the goals.

Up next

Atlanta United hits the road for a midweek match against New York City FC. They’ll need to pick up points to stay alive in the playoff race. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, October 28 at Citi Field in Queens.

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