2026 USL Super League final

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2026 USL Super League final
EventUSL Super League final
Lexington SC Carolina Ascent FC
3 1
DateMay 30, 2026 (2026-05-30)
VenueLexington SC Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
MVPRegan Steigleder
(Lexington SC)
RefereeShawn Tehini
Attendance7,715

The 2026 USL Super League final was the championship match of the 2025–26 season of the USL Super League, a top-division professional soccer league in the United States. It was contested between Lexington SC and Carolina Ascent FC at Lexington SC Stadium on May 30, 2026. Lexington won the match 3–1, becoming the first Players' Shield champions to complete the league double.[1]

Road to the final

Lexington SC

After finishing last in the league in their inaugural season, Lexington SC turned their fortunes around in their second year and won the USL Super League Players' Shield with the best record in the league.[2] The club hired a new head coach before the season, Masaki Hemmi, but he moved to the club's men's side during the winter break and was replaced by his former assistant Kosuke Kimura.[2] Offensively, the club was led by new signings including McKenzie Weinert, Addie McCain, Sarah Griffith, and Catherine Barry, who burst onto the professional scene and won the USL Super League Golden Boot.[2] In the playoff semifinals, Lexington SC won 2–0 over Dallas Trinity FC with goals from Griffith and Barry to advance to their first league championship game.[3]

Carolina Ascent

After winning the Players' Shield in their inaugural season, Carolina Ascent FC finished their second year in third place in the league, ending the campaign on a six-game win streak and eleven-game undefeated streak.[4] In the playoff semifinals, the Ascent won 1–0 against expansion club Sporting JAX on an early goal from Mackenzie George, reaching their first league title game.[5]

Match

Details

Lexington SC3–1 (a.e.t.)Carolina Ascent
 Report Corbin 45+1'
Attendance: 7,715
Referee: Shawn Tehini
Lexington SC
GK26United States Kat Asman
LB16United States Ally Brown
CB22United States Regan Steigleder
CB3United States Allison Pantuso
RB12United States Alyssa BourgeoisYellow card 52'
CM6United States Taylor Aylmer (c)
CM20United States Darya Rajaeedownward-facing red arrow 91'
LW11United States McKenzie Weinertdownward-facing red arrow 90+1'
FW18United States Addie McCaindownward-facing red arrow 110'
FW15United States Catherine Barrydownward-facing red arrow 90+1'
RW13United States Sarah Griffithdownward-facing red arrow 101'
Substitutes:
GK1United States Sarah Cox
FW2United States Hannah WhiteYellow card 116'upward-facing green arrow 90+1'
MF9United States Amber Nguyenupward-facing green arrow 90+1' downward-facing red arrow 117'
DF13United States McKenzie Hawkins
MF17United States Tati Fungupward-facing green arrow 91'
DF19United States Hannah Johnsonupward-facing green arrow 110'
DF21United States Hannah Shartsupward-facing green arrow 117'
MF23United States Nicole Vernisupward-facing green arrow 101'
Manager:
Japan Kosuke Kimura
Carolina Ascent FC
GK15Puerto Rico Sydney Martinez
LB7Puerto Rico Jill Aguilera (c)downward-facing red arrow 105'
CB19United States Meaghan Nally
CB5United States Jenna ButlerYellow card 61'
RB13United States Addisyn Merrickdownward-facing red arrow 101'
CM28United States Lily Nabetdownward-facing red arrow 77'
CM9United States Mia Corbindownward-facing red arrow 77'
LW17United States Tyler Lussidownward-facing red arrow 77'
FW20United States Shea Groomdownward-facing red arrow 101'
FW31United States Mackenzie George
RW23United States Riley Parker
Substitutes:
GK1United States Meagan McClelland
DF2United States Brianna Martinezupward-facing green arrow 105'
FW4United States Ava Cookupward-facing green arrow 101'
DF8United States Emily Moxleyupward-facing green arrow 101'
MF14United States Taylor PorterYellow card 98'upward-facing green arrow 77'
FW18United States Audrey Colemanupward-facing green arrow 77'
MF22United States Emily MorrisYellow card 90+3'upward-facing green arrow 77'
Manager:
England Philip Poole

Most Valuable Player
United States Regan Steigleder
Assistant referees
Jessica Carnevale (United States)
Zeno Cho (United States)
Fourth official
Laura Rodriguez (United States)
Match rules

References

  1. "Lexington Sporting Club Win Gainbridge Super League Championship Title". USL Super League. May 30, 2026. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  2. Drummond, Cameron (May 22, 2026). "After a record-breaking regular season, Lexington Sporting Club plays for a title". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  3. Cierzan, Noah (May 23, 2026). "Lexington Sporting Club Advances to First Championship in Club History". WLEX-TV. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  4. Goldberg, Steve (May 22, 2026). "Carolina Ascent on a mission heading into GSL playoffs". The Charlotte Post. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  5. White, Herbert L. (May 27, 2026). "Carolina Ascent has one final mountain to climb for title". The Charlotte Post. Retrieved May 30, 2026.