From packed stands in Seattle to tight defensive tussles and high-scoring displays elsewhere, it was a varied day for Bermuda Footballers and coaches across women’s and men’s football, with a mixture of encouraging performances and sobering defeats for teams and players alike.
Mia Fishel and her Seattle Reign FC teammates were left to rue missed opportunities as they were forced into a 0-0 draw with San Diego Wave FC in front of an electric crowd of 10,004 at Lumen Field. The RISE Together Match, presented by Alaska Airlines, was defined more by defensive solidity than attacking moments, with the Reign repelling several promising Wave moves to secure a clean sheet in a game that rarely found the net.
In the USL Championship, Khano Smith’s Rhode Island FC produced one of its biggest results of the season as JJ Williams struck late to beat second-placed Charleston Battery 1-0 at Centreville Bank Stadium. Rhode Island’s organisation was the story of the night: the hosts limited one of the division’s most potent attacks to a season-low five shots, extended a club-record run to four successive home shutouts, and moved back above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference standings.
Fort Lauderdale United FC were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Carolina Ascent FC at Beyond Bancard Field, watched from the bench by Nia Christopher. Defender Ella Simpson opened her professional account with a composed finish, while Kiara Locklear continued her hot start with her second goal in as many games. The point means Fort Lauderdale have taken points from both of their opening fixtures in the 2025/26 campaign as they prepare for a long trip — roughly 3,000 miles — for their next assignment.
Across the Channel, Bournemouth Women and Exeter City shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on home turf for Bournemouth, with Kenni Thompson among the hosts’ ranks. The result maintained parity between the sides, each taking something from a close contest.
QPR Women edged Chatham Town 1-0 in a tight affair, with goalkeeper coach Dashun Cooper’s side doing just enough to claim victory. The clean sheet underlined the narrow margins often seen at this level, where a single moment can decide the outcome.
It was a difficult day for Sutton United Women, who were beaten 4-0 by Saltdean United at the David Weir Leisure Centre. K’Shaela Burch Waldron and her teammates were second-best as Saltdean ran out comfortable winners.
In the FA Women’s National League Division One South West, Bridgwater United Women ran out 4-1 winners over Keynsham Town, with Camryn Lines and her teammates producing a convincing attacking display to take maximum points.
Finally, in the North West Women’s Regional League, FC United of Manchester Women were held to a 1-1 draw by West Didsbury & Chorlton. Keunna Dill gave FC United the lead with the opening goal, but the visitors fought back to share the spoils.
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