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On March 18th, the Tampa Bay Sun FC celebrated their Women’s Empowerment Night, where they raised the 2025 USL Super League Champion banner, highlighting their victory in their inaugural season. There was a mini-marketplace showcasing a variety of woman-owned vendors and the Girl Scouts of West Central ���۴�ý led the pregame flag presentation. This match was a celebration of the women who are leading and shaping the local community. 

A noteworthy leader is Jordyn Listro. From captaining the USF soccer team to leading the Tampa Bay Sun FC—the first and only profession women’s sports team in Tampa— to championship victory during their inaugural season, Jordyn Listro has shown remarkable leadership and dedication throughout her career. In 2017, she made her professional debut in the Spanish Primera Division. She played for Canada’s National Team in 2021 and went on to play for Orlando Pride before finding a home at the Tampa Bay Sun FC as part of the founding team in 2024. On June 14, 2025, Listro led the Sun to winning the USL Super League title in their debut season, officially marking the first women’s professional sports title in the area. 

“I hope to inspire younger generations that have dreams of playing professionally, especially in Tampa,” Listro says. “I remember playing against Orlando Pride when I was at USF and wanting to be there one day. Representation is so important because without seeing it with your own eyes, it’s hard to think that it can be something you can achieve.” 

Growing up in Toronto, Listro started playing soccer when she was five years old. “I had no idea how far the sport could take me when I started playing,” Listro says. “By 14, it was already a goal of mine to play at a college in the United States.”  She earned a scholarship to play for USF and while being away from friends and family was scary at first, the coaching staff and athletic department welcomed her with open arms. “We had a very international roster, which is so unique,” Listro notes. “You become such a family while learning about each other’s cultures.”

“My team every year was so special. I always tell people that it was the best four years of my life,” Listro says. “The moment I stepped on campus, I always had my eyes set on going as far as I could with the sport.” That passion and dedication served her well. While at USF, she was a 4-year starter, which set the record for the number of career games played, and was captain for her final two years. 

Listro notes that the lessons she learned in the program at USF served her later in her professional career.

Listro notes that the lessons she learned in the program at USF served her later in her professional career. “My coach Denise, who is actually my coach now, always tried to develop us as people from the minute we walked on campus,” Listro explains. “She made us strong, powerful women and leaders. I’ve carried the confidence and self-belief that she instilled with me into the professional world.”

Coach Denise Schilte-Brown is a pioneer for women’s sports as well. “I’ve always wanted to break glass ceilings for women. When I was younger, I felt like I was stuck in a holding pattern because of the limitations placed on women in spots,” Schilte-Brown says. “My career was all about breaking these new barriers.” 

Growing up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, before coming to play for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Schilte-Brown is familiar with the skill and dedication it takes to play at the highest level. She is the first female soccer player to be inducted into the UMBC’s Athletics Hall of Fame. During her career, she played for the Canada National Team, played two seasons playing in Germany and three years in the W-League in the US. 

Her talent on the field translated phenomenally to coaching. In 2007, Schilte-Brown became the head coach for improved in almost every offensive and defensive category. In 2013, Jordyn Listro appeared on her roster. “Watching Jordyn come of high school, still trying to find her identity to watching her grow into a role model and mentor for other players was just really nice,” Schilte-Brown says. “Jordyn prides herself on getting a very high load at practice. She’s always trying to catch an extra inch to get better and get ahead.” 

“She cares about all her teammates and empathies with them,” Schilte-Brown says about Listro being a leader on and off the field. In 2023, when Schilte-Brown was named as the first head coach for the Super League Tampa Bay team — the Tampa Bay Sun FC, which highlights Schilte-Brown’s impressive career and the outstanding work she did with the program at USF—Listro’s dedication on and off the field, alongside her empathy, made her the ideal choice to be captain for the Tampa Bay Sun FC’s inaugural season. 

“I’m looking forward to bringing in more USF Bulls in the future. We’ll always play and support each other.”  — Former USF Coach Denise Schilte-Brown

With Schilte-Brown and Listro, the Tampa Bay Sun FC had a strong foundation to build a successful team. “We have such a great group of people,” Listro says. “I think the culture we built off the field is special, and I do think it stems from the culture at USF. The importance of being a good person and treating people with respect has carried over into this team as well.” Schilte-Brown echoes this importance, saying that, “I’m looking forward to bringing in more USF Bulls in the future. We’ll always play and support each other.” 

USF is not the only part of Tampa that has welcomed the Tampa Bay Sun FC with open arms. On March 10th, the Tampa Bay Sun FC stepped onto the ice to commence the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Women in Sports Night. Schilte-Brown, Listro and fellow players Sydny Nasello, Brook Hendrix, Vivian Bessette, and Carlee Giammon dropped the ceremonial puck between the hockey team captains. “It was such a fun night, and it was great to be celebrated as women in professional sports,” Schilte-Brown notes. 

“There’s something about Tampa that I’ve just loved. I feel so at home here, even though I’m very far from my home,” Listro says. “The community and the support here is incredible.” 

Going forward, Listro has big goals ahead of her. “I want to play as many games with the Canada National team as possible,” Listro says. “The World Cup next year and the Olympics the following year.”  

“No dream is too big,” Listro says when asked what advice she has for the next generation. “Know that it’s something you can achieve if you stick with it and believe in yourself. There’s just so many different opportunities that you just have to be ready for.” 

Tampa Bay Sun FC will continue their 2025-2026 season through May.