LEXINGTON, Ky. — For 75 days, the Lexington Sporting Club women have ruled over the Gainbridge Super League after claiming the crown and winning the first double in league history. On Saturday night, they become public enemy No. 1 with seven other clubs gunning to dethrone them.
Should LSC accomplish the feat again in a shortened 14-match Fall 2026 season, they would become the first professional sports team in North American history to win two distinct league titles in the same calendar year.
Heading into the new campaign, the idea does not seem too far-fetched.
The Gals in Green were ranked No. 1 in the Gainbridge Super League’s preseason poll earlier this week. The squad is returning 15 players from its record-setting 2025/26 season and added six new faces, all of whom are expected to contribute this season.
Among the returners are last season’s Golden Boot winner and single-season scoring record holder Catherine Barry. The league’s all-time leading scorer Addie McCain. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Allison Pantuso. All-League First Team honoree Taylor Aylmer and 11 others who played pivotal roles in securing the first two trophies in Lexington Sporting Club history.
Newcomers include:
- Goalkeeper Ryan Campbell on loan from the NWSL’s Gotham FC, who posted a 0.4 goals-against average as a senior at UCLA in 2024
- Midfielder Katie Murray, who has won 76% of her tackles since the league’s inaugural season
- 2025 SEC Midfielder of the Year Ally Perry
- Two-time SEC Defender of the Year and three-time All-SEC First Team defender Gracie Falla
- 2025 Fourth Team All-American Mac Midgley
- Goalkeeper Marz Josephson, who posted 16 clean sheets at the University of Kentucky in 2024
To Lexington, this season is as much about winning a second consecutive title as it is about defending what’s theirs. Aggression is the mentality, and the club is packing plenty of firepower to double-up.
LSC’s first challenger is Brooklyn FC, a club it beat four times in four matches last season with a +7 goal differential. Brooklyn was also shut out in three of those contests.
Lexington will also be happy to start the new season at home. In 2025/26, the group posted a 10W-2L-4D record at Lexington SC Stadium, including playoffs, with 37 goals scored and only 14 surrendered.
The hunt for more silverware kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.
SCOUTING BROOKLYN
Brooklyn FC finished seventh in the Gainbridge Super League a season ago, sporting a 6W-14L-8D record and a –13 goal differential.
Key returners for the New York side include Catherine Zimmerman and Jessica Garziano, both of whom finished second on the club in goals and assists a season ago, respectively. However, the club is without its two greatest offensive threats from 2025/26 — Brooklyn’s assist leader Sam Kroeger joined Tampa Bay Sun FC in the offseason, and leading scorer Rebecca Cooke suffered an injury late in the season that will sideline her for the Fall.
Brooklyn has not conquered Lexington in the Bluegrass since Dec. 7, 2024.
STAT OF THE MATCH
Lexington’s four wins over Brooklyn FC are tied for its most against any Gainbridge Super League club. It has also beaten Fort Lauderdale United FC four times.
KIDS GET IN FREE
Kids 12 and under will receive complimentary admission to the match. Parents must claim a ticket for each child using this link.
POSTER GIVEAWAY
The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a limited-edition LSC poster.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will stream live on Peacock.
