| Founded | May 16, 2023; 2 years ago (2023-05-16) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Suncoast Credit Union Field Tampa, Florida | ||
| Capacity | 5,000 | ||
| Owner(s) | Jeff Fox David Laxer Darryl Shaw | ||
| President | Christina Unkel | ||
| Head coach | Denise Schilte-Brown | ||
| League | USL Super League | ||
| 2024–25 | Champions | ||
| Website | https://www.tampabaysunfc.com/ | ||
Tampa Bay Sun Football Club is an American professionalwomen's soccer club based inTampa, Florida, that competes in theGainbridge Super League (USLS). Founded in 2023, the team played its inaugural season in the2024–25 USLS season. Tampa Bay Sun FC is owned by real estate developer and investor Darryl Shaw,Bern's Steak House owner David Laxer, and formerBluePearl executive Jeff Fox.[1]
TheTampa Bay area was named as one of the initialUSL Super League markets on May 16, 2023.[2] On July 15, 2023,South Florida Bulls women's soccer head coachDenise Schilte-Brown was named as Sun's first-ever head coach, and former FIFA refereeChristina Unkel was named as club president.[3][4]
On April 23, 2024.Erika Tymrak was the first player signed to the inaugural roster, followed byJordyn Listro andDomi Richardson on the same day.[5]
On May 23, 2024, the club announced their home opener would be againstDallas Trinity FC on August 18, 2024. The match was the third ever match played for theUSL Super League.[6][7]
On September 8, 2024, Tampa Bay earned their first win, defeatingLexington SC 3–2 on the road.[8] On November 2, 2024, Tampa Bay earned their first home win, defeating Lexington 3–1.[9]
In March 2025, Tampa Bay became the first USLS team to host aNational Women's Soccer League team in a friendly, playingNJ/NY Gotham FC to a 1–1 draw.[10]
Tampa Bay Sun FC defeatedFort Lauderdale United FC in the2025 USL Super League Championship game to win the league title in their inaugural season.[11]
Club leadership ran a naming selection contest that received 2,500 naming suggestions. On November 4, 2023, the club announced that nine winners had selected Suns as the teams name and after group meetings it was decided that Tampa Bay Suns best represented the essence of the area.[12] The Tampa Bay Sun FC name, logo, and colors were unveiled on November 4, 2023, at a ceremony inYbor City attended by Tampa mayorJane Castor.[13]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Sleeve sponsor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–present | Capelli Sport | Tampa General Hospital | TECO Energy | [14] |
Tampa Bay Sun FC play atRiverfront Stadium on the campus ofHoward W. Blake High School, near downtown Tampa.[15] Renovations were made to bring the stadium up to division one soccer league standards, namely increasing the capacity of the stadium from 1,800 to 5,000, installing turf, and adding a new scoreboard.[16]
The team plans to play at Riverfront Stadium until a new stadium inYbor City is constructed.[17] Plans for the new stadium were unveiled on June 17, 2025. The stadium, which will have a capacity of 15,000, is to be located on a site once coveted by theTampa Bay Rays for a new stadium, but was ruled out for baseball use.[18]
The first official supporters' group established for the Tampa Bay Sun is The Heatwave.[19] The logo was created by IDC Sport Design.[20]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
For details of former players, seeCategory:Tampa Bay Sun FC players andList of Tampa Bay Sun FC players.
As of September 9, 2024*
| Front office | |
|---|---|
| Position | Name |
| Owners | Jeff Fox David Laxer Darryl Shaw |
| President | |
| Technical staff | |
| Head Coach | Denise Schilte-Brown[3] |
| Assistant Coach | Erich Leite |
| Head of Soccer Operations | Sam Ishee[22] |
| Season | League | Regular season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance | Top Goalscorer | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | Name(s) | Goals | ||||
| 2024–25 | USLS | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 42 | 28 | 46 | 2nd | Champions | 3,223 | 12 | |
| 2025–26 | USLS | 11 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 9th | TBD | 1,595 | 3 | |
| Total | 39 | 13 | 16 | 10 | 54 | 43 | – | – | – | – | 12 | ||
^ 1.Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in League, and USL Super Cup Playoffs, and other competitive matches.
Only competitive matches are counted.*
| Name | Nationality | From | To | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denise Schilte-Brown | July 15, 2023 | present | 41 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 58 | 45 | 36.59% |
| Player | Appearances | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Nat. | Pos. | Sun career | USLS | Playoffs | Total |
| 1 | Vivianne Bessette | DF | 2024– | 30 | 0 | 30 | |
| Carlee Giammona | MF | 2024– | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||
| Sydny Nasello | FW | 2024– | 30 | 0 | 30 | ||
| 4 | Brooke Hendrix | DF | 2024– | 29 | 0 | 29 | |
| Jordyn Listro | MF | 2024– | 29 | 0 | 29 | ||
| 6 | Cecilie Fløe | FW | 2024– | 24 | 0 | 24 | |
| Natasha Flint | FW | 2024– | 24 | 0 | 24 | ||
| Jade Moore | MF | 2024–2025 | 24 | 0 | 24 | ||
| 9 | Ashley Orkus | GK | 2024–2025 | 21 | 0 | 21 | |
| 10 | Ashley Clark | FW | 2024–2025 | 17 | 0 | 17 | |
| Paige Almendariz | DF | 2024–2025 | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||
| Parker Goins | FW | 2025– | 17 | 0 | 17 | ||
| Player | Goals scored | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Nat. | Pos. | Sun career | USLS | Playoffs | Total |
| 1 | Cecilie Fløe | FW | 2024– | 11 | 1 | 12 | |
| 2 | Natasha Flint | FW | 2024– | 9 | 1 | 10 | |
| 3 | Carlee Giammona | MF | 2024– | 7 | 1 | 8 | |
| 4 | Sydny Nasello | FW | 2024– | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 | Paige Almendariz | DF | 2024–2025 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Parker Goins | FW | 2025– | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||
| Hannah Keane | FW | 2024– | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||