Dallas Trinity FC’s debut season ends in heartbreak.
Dallas fell 2-1 on the road against Tampa Bay Sun FC in the first playoff game in USL Super League history. Trinity was eliminated one week after a playoff-clinching win against league-leading Carolina Ascent FC in front of a record crowd at the Cotton Bowl.
Speaking after the game, Trinity head coach Pauline MacDonald offered a broad assessment of the team’s inaugural campaign.
“This season has been challenging in a positive way, because the league is so competitive. We’re always being tested. We didn’t know what we were coming into with it being the first year and now we have a much clearer picture,” MacDonald said. “I’m super proud of the group and what we’ve achieved. We’ll learn so much from this experience.”
The opening 15 minutes saw the teams feel each other out before Dallas broke through with a goal from defender Hannah Davison. She latched onto the end of a cross from Julia Dorsey and headed it toward goal. The ball bounced awkwardly right in front of Sun goalkeeper Ashley Orkus who misplayed it, fumbling it into her own net.
The teams took a hydration break at the 30-minute mark and Tampa Bay took no time to get back to speed after stoppage. Midfielder Sydny Nasello charged into the box and drew a foul from Trinity’s Cyera Hintzen. Forward Natasha Flint stepped up to the penalty spot and deftly slotted it past a diving Madison White to even things up.
Dallas had an excellent chance in the 57th minute thanks to some individual brilliance from Chioma Ubogagu. She took on two defenders on the left wing, nutmegging one of them and running out of bounds to get around the pair and cross the ball into Tamara Bolt in the 6-yard box. Bolt put a shot on goal but Orkus was able to smother it and avoid a dangerous rebound in close range.
Less than two minutes later, Tampa Bay’s Carlee Giammona scored with a crafty first-time lob over an out-of-position White. Once they fell behind 1-2, Trinity failed to create a truly threatening chance. Dallas captain Amber Brooks had the last opportunity of note, putting a long shot on goal and forcing a save from a rapidly retreating Orkus in stoppage time.
It was only Dallas’ second loss this season where it scored the contest’s opening goal. Entering Saturday, Trinity had 10 wins, 3 draws and one loss in 14 such games this season.
Trinity finished its inaugural regular season with 12 wins, 9 losses and 7 draws, good enough for 43 points and third place in the league. Dallas now heads into the offseason before its second season begins in August.
Find more Dallas Trinity FC coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.