Cary, N.C. (March 22, 2017)- North Carolina FC played to a 2-1 loss against Atlas FC of Mexico’s Liga MX on Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in the Hyatt Place Southpoint Community Shield Match. Though the score was in favor of the visitors, it was North Carolina FC with the advantage in the fast-paced and exciting game, as the home team out-shot the opposition.
“I thought we did very well, and it was a good game,” North Carolina FC Head Coach Colin Clarke said. “I thought it was fun to watch. There were plenty of chances and big saves from both sides, some good play, for us it was an overall good end to the preseason.”
Jose Cruz, Atlas FC’s head coach, said he enjoyed his experience playing North Carolina FC.
“I loved the team,” Jose Cruz, Atlas FC Head Coach, said. “I believe they are on the right level and I think it’s a very good place to play soccer. I wish them luck on getting to the MLS and I believe it would be very good for the city.”
After an exchange of chances in the beginning of the match, North Carolina FC’s first opportunity came in the 10th minute, as Nazmi Albadawi found Matt Fondy at the top of the 18, but the shot was blocked. NCFC kept chipping away, with a shot from Lance Laing just three minutes later, but it was denied by Atlas goalkeeper, José Hernández.
After big consecutive saves from Brian Sylvestre, Atlas FC struck first, with a goal in the 32nd minute from a converted penalty kick, as Martin Barragán found the back of the net past a diving Sylvestre.
North Carolina FC nearly equalized eight minutes later, as Albadawi quickly turned and beat a man before firing a low shot outside the box, but his effort just barely missed wide. Sylvestre closed out the first half with another huge save in added time, as he denied Atlas’ corner shot from inside the box.
North Carolina FC returned from halftime searching for a goal, and after a slew of quick chances from Jonathon Orlando, the club was rewarded for their persistence in the 68th minute, as Kareem Moses blasted a goal past Hernández.
Though North Carolina FC kept the pressure up, Atlas FC scored the last goal, with a shot in the 86th minute from Matias Alustiza that found its way past Macklin Robinson, who replaced Sylvestre in net in the 62nd minute.
The game was the last opportunity for Clarke to see the club’s new, young pieces in action before Saturday’s home opener against Miami FC, and they did not disappoint, as they held their own against Atlas.
“During the second half when the young kids came on, I thought they were lively and bright, and they really changed the pace of the game,” Clarke said. “I also thought the group in the first half did very well, they did well defensively, and we really held our shape. We had good things from everybody; we had a very positive night with different things in different halves.”
Coming Up Next: North Carolina FC will open the NASL 2017 regular season on Saturday, March 25 at WakeMed Soccer Park against Miami FC at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the match can be purchased at NCFCTix.com or by calling our box office at 919-459-8144.
Boxscore:
NCFC 1
ATLAS 2
Starting lineups:
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Steven Miller, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Paul Black; James Marcelin, Lance Laing, Austin da Luz, Nazmi Albadawi, Brian Shriver; Matt Fondy
Substitutes: Andre Fortune; Michael Mecham; Kareem Moses; Marcel Kandziora; Saeed Robinson; Jonathon Orlando; Billy Schuler; Jose Carranza; Macklin Robinson; Delasi Batse; Alex Molano; Manny Perez
ATLAS: José Hernández; Cristian Calderón; Edgar Valverde, Edgar Valdívar; Christian Tabó; Rodolfo Salinas; Daniel Arreola; Matías Alustiza; Jahir Barraza; Édson Rivera; Carlos Treviño
Goals:
NCFC: Kareem Moses, 68’
Atlas: Martin Barragán, 32’, Matias Alustiza, 86’
Cautions:
NCFC: Christian Ibeagha, 32’ Lance Laing, 35’
Atlas: Gaddi Aguirre, Édson Rivera
Ejections:
NCFC: —
OKC: —
Attendance: 6,201
Cary, N.C. (March 22, 2017)- North Carolina FC played to a 2-1 loss against Atlas FC of Mexico’s Liga MX on Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in the Hyatt Place Southpoint Community Shield Match. Though the score was in favor of the visitors, it was North Carolina FC with the advantage in the fast-paced and exciting game, as the home team out-shot the opposition.
“I thought we did very well, and it was a good game,” North Carolina FC Head Coach Colin Clarke said. “I thought it was fun to watch. There were plenty of chances and big saves from both sides, some good play, for us it was an overall good end to the preseason.”
Jose Cruz, Atlas FC’s head coach, said he enjoyed his experience playing North Carolina FC.
“I loved the team,” Jose Cruz, Atlas FC Head Coach, said. “I believe they are on the right level and I think it’s a very good place to play soccer. I wish them luck on getting to the MLS and I believe it would be very good for the city.”
After an exchange of chances in the beginning of the match, North Carolina FC’s first opportunity came in the 10th minute, as Nazmi Albadawi found Matt Fondy at the top of the 18, but the shot was blocked. NCFC kept chipping away, with a shot from Lance Laing just three minutes later, but it was denied by Atlas goalkeeper, José Hernández.
After big consecutive saves from Brian Sylvestre, Atlas FC struck first, with a goal in the 32nd minute from a converted penalty kick, as Martin Barragán found the back of the net past a diving Sylvestre.
North Carolina FC nearly equalized eight minutes later, as Albadawi quickly turned and beat a man before firing a low shot outside the box, but his effort just barely missed wide. Sylvestre closed out the first half with another huge save in added time, as he denied Atlas’ corner shot from inside the box.
North Carolina FC returned from halftime searching for a goal, and after a slew of quick chances from Jonathon Orlando, the club was rewarded for their persistence in the 68th minute, as Kareem Moses blasted a goal past Hernández.
Though North Carolina FC kept the pressure up, Atlas FC scored the last goal, with a shot in the 86th minute from Matias Alustiza that found its way past Macklin Robinson, who replaced Sylvestre in net in the 62nd minute.
The game was the last opportunity for Clarke to see the club’s new, young pieces in action before Saturday’s home opener against Miami FC, and they did not disappoint, as they held their own against Atlas.
“During the second half when the young kids came on, I thought they were lively and bright, and they really changed the pace of the game,” Clarke said. “I also thought the group in the first half did very well, they did well defensively, and we really held our shape. We had good things from everybody; we had a very positive night with different things in different halves.”
Coming Up Next: North Carolina FC will open the NASL 2017 regular season on Saturday, March 25 at WakeMed Soccer Park against Miami FC at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to the match can be purchased at NCFCTix.com or by calling our box office at 919-459-8144.
Boxscore:
NCFC 1
ATLAS 2
Starting lineups:
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Steven Miller, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Paul Black; James Marcelin, Lance Laing, Austin da Luz, Nazmi Albadawi, Brian Shriver; Matt Fondy
Substitutes: Andre Fortune; Michael Mecham; Kareem Moses; Marcel Kandziora; Saeed Robinson; Jonathon Orlando; Billy Schuler; Jose Carranza; Macklin Robinson; Delasi Batse; Alex Molano; Manny Perez
ATLAS: José Hernández; Cristian Calderón; Edgar Valverde, Edgar Valdívar; Christian Tabó; Rodolfo Salinas; Daniel Arreola; Matías Alustiza; Jahir Barraza; Édson Rivera; Carlos Treviño
Goals:
NCFC: Kareem Moses, 68’
Atlas: Martin Barragán, 32’, Matias Alustiza, 86’
Cautions:
NCFC: Christian Ibeagha, 32’ Lance Laing, 35’
Atlas: Gaddi Aguirre, Édson Rivera
Ejections:
NCFC: —
OKC: —
Attendance: 6,201