While not every player on the field this afternoon will have experience playing in championship matches, one of them brings a wealth of experience playing for championship teams in other leagues.

When Natasha Flint signed with Tampa Bay Sun, it was seen as a high-profile signing and the move has paid off throughout the season. Flint has played extensively in the UK, for multiple well-known teams including Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers, and Manchester City. In her playing time there, she scored over 100 goals and was called up to play for several age groups of the youth England national teams. She helped Manchester City win the 2014 Continental Cup and was instrumental in successful promotion battles for both Blackburn and Leicester. Her track record of success made her a big signing and she’s back it up on the field.

*Photo Credit: Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Sun FC*

Natasha is part of a trio of Tampa Bay Sun attackers that have contributed almost 30 goals this season. Cecilie Fløe Nielsenn scored 11, Carlee Giamona added 8, and Flint scored 10 goals of her own. But the English forward felt like they could have scored more and thinks the future is bright for Tampa’s attack. “I think we’ve all done very well to get all those goals, but there should have been more goals between us. I think next year will be very different. It’s the first year of everyone getting used to each other.” Flint also led the league in shots, which she’s proud of, but thinks there will be even more next season.

But for those that have watched Tampa this season, the defense has really stood out in their playoff run. Even attackers contribute in a group effort to prevent goals and Flint highlighted that approach from her position. “I think there’s a 50/50 focus on attack and defense. You can’t just focus on attack and, as a striker, I like to focus on it more, but you have to have defense in the back of your mind always. I always say that when you’re going on the attack, just make sure you know your whereabouts, so we don’t get countered.” That balanced approach has made Tampa one of the hardest dates on every club’s calendar and why the Sun are now in the championship match with Ft. Lauderdale.

That championship matchup is one that yielded three draws and a win for Tampa during the regular season and Natasha sees the matchup as a battle between known opponents. “They aren’t a team we can underestimate…We’ve played them four times and we know them pretty well and they know us pretty well, but I think it will be whoever turns up best on that day, whoever gives the most will win that game.”

Having come from the land of generational rivalries, Flint sees potential for a long-standing rivalry between the two clubs. “It’s a Florida derby and it’s only going to grow from this game. We’re playing at our home grounds and hopefully we can get a sellout. If we play them in the future, I hope we keep getting bigger crowds. It’s going to be a huge game, massive.”

Flint and her Tampa Bay Sun teammates will face Ft. Lauderdale United in the USL Super League championship match this afternoon in Tampa. For Natasha, it will be another chance to contribute to a successful season ending in hardware for the winner.

- Dan Vaughn