Fort Lauderdale Utd II (W): The Next Step for South Florida’s Female Talent

Fort Lauderdale Utd II (W) is the reserve and development team of Fort Lauderdale United FC, a women’s semi-professional club based in the heart of South Florida. The team competes in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) Southeast Conference, acting as a bridge between academy youth and the senior squad that plays in the USL W League.

Team Purpose and Development Pathway

While Fort Lauderdale United FC’s first team aims for top-tier performance, the II side focuses on nurturing younger players—often recent high school graduates or college freshmen seeking game time during summer breaks. The team’s philosophy mirrors the senior squad: attacking football with a strong emphasis on fitness and tactical flexibility, typically set up in a 4-3-3 formation that demands overlapping runs from full-backs.

2024 Season Snapshot

In the most recent WPSL campaign, Fort Lauderdale Utd II (W) finished 5th in the Southeast table with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses. The team showed resilience in narrow defeats to established sides like Florida Krush and Tampa Bay Sun II. Midfielder Samantha Cruz was a standout, contributing 4 goals and 3 assists, earning a call-up to the first team for the final two matches of the USL W League season.

Player to Watch: Taylor Moore

Goalkeeper Taylor Moore, a 19-year-old from Miami, recorded three clean sheets and saved a penalty in a 1-0 win over Orlando Pride Reserves. Her shot-stopping ability and command of the box have drawn interest from Division I college programs like the University of South Florida. The staff at Fort Lauderdale Utd II (W) pride themselves on graduating players to higher levels.

Home Ground and Fan Support

The team plays its home games at the Broward County Soccer Complex, a facility that also hosts U.S. Soccer training events. Attendance for II side matches averages around 300–400, with a loyal group of supporters known as the “Fort Lauderdale Flock” cheering from behind the goal. The club uses these matches as community events, often featuring food trucks and youth clinics afterward.

With a clear development pipeline and strong ties to the senior team, Fort Lauderdale Utd II (W) is essential for sustaining the club’s long-term competitiveness in the rapidly growing landscape of American women’s soccer.