By Janet Nummi
In their very first season, Tampa Bay Sun Football Club captured the hearts of fans and made history – winning the inaugural USL Women’s Super League championship. It was a feat built on grit, talent, and community support. Here’s how they did it.
The Foundation: Building Momentum
The 2024–25 season was the inaugural campaign for the USL Super League, a new top-tier women’s professional soccer league in the United States. Eight teams participated. Tampa Bay showed early sparks. Their first ever win came on the road against Lexington SC. Home games grew into major events. Their first home win came in November, in a spirited 3–1 victory over Lexington, with Cecilie Fløe Nielsen and Natasha Flint among those making major contributions.
Regular Season: Consistency & Home Strength
Over the regular season, Tampa Bay posted a 13-6-10 record. While not perfect, their ability to earn strong results, especially at home, proved crucial. The team closed out the regular season with a particularly strong run – including a dominant stretch of home performances. Riverfront Stadium became a fortress.
Playoffs & The Title Match: Rising to the Occasion
In the semifinals, they beat Dallas Trinity 2–1. The final was held at home, at Riverfront Stadium, a sold-out crowd of 5,006 cheering on the Sun. The decisive moment came in extra time. Cecilie Fløe scored in the 100th minute, after Sydny Nasello delivered an assist following a daring run along the back line. That one goal sealed the championship: Tampa Bay Sun FC 1, Fort Lauderdale United FC 0.
Key Players & Coaching
Cecilie Fløe was a standout – not just for her title-winning goal, but for her consistency. The goal in the final was her 12th of the season. Sydny Nasello earned the Championship Game MVP honors, contributing the critical assist in the final, and more throughout the season via her work rate, chances created, and all around influence. Denise Schilte-Brown, the head coach, deserves huge credit. Under her leadership, the team navigated a demanding schedule, developed chemistry, and showed resilience – particularly in high-pressure moments.
Community & Legacy
The championship was a big moment for the city. After the final, supporters celebrated with a boat parade along the Hillsborough River. The city declared June 18, 2025, as “Tampa Bay Sun Football Club Day.” Looking forward, the club has proposed plans for a new 15,000-seat waterfront stadium at Ybor Harbor, part of a larger mixed-use development. It’s an indicator of ambition: they’re not just content with one title, but aiming to build sustainable infrastructure and deepen their roots.
What Made Them Special
Inaugural Champions: Tampa Bay Sun FC will forever hold the distinction of being the first USL Women’s Super League champions. That’s a legacy-defining achievement. Composure in Pressure: Coming back in tight games, performing under stress, and delivering when it mattered most. Extra-time goals are never easy.
Strong Home Base
Their home field performances were a backbone for their success. Winning at Riverfront Stadium, in front of passionate fans, gave them momentum.
Team Depth
Beyond the stars, others stepped up in moments (goals, defensive efforts, substitutes). The cohesion mattered. The regular season was demanding, but they stayed competitive.
Looking Ahead
Having conquered the first season, the Sun now face new expectations.
Key questions include:
- Can they maintain their winning culture in subsequent seasons?
- How will the proposed stadium and infrastructure affect their growth – both on and off the field?
- How will their supporters and the league evolve, now that the bar has been set?
Tampa Bay Sun FC’s championship season was more than just wins – it was a statement. It was about laying a foundation, making history, and showing what’s possible when ambition meets execution. For the fans, the players, the city – this is a beginning. And with this kind of start, the future looks bright. www.tampabaysunfc.com