MATCHDAY INFO:
NEW YORK COSMOS VS NORTH CAROLINA FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 – 7:00 P.M. ET
MCU PARK
DIGITAL: ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #NYCvNCFC
CARY, N.C. (Sep. 22, 2017) – With just six matches remaining in the Fall Season for North Carolina FC (8W-9DL-9L, 33 points, 3rd place), every match is critically important for the club’s push to qualify for the 2017 NASL playoffs. NCFC will meet another potential playoff team – the New York Cosmos (7W-12D-6L, 33 points, fifth place) – on Saturday, Sep. 23 at 7 p.m. at MCU Park in Brooklyn. With three points on the line, both sides are eager to gain ground on the other in what may be a major match in deciding who is going to qualify for the playoffs.
Both sides are part of a trio of teams in the NASL with 33 points in the overall table. While New York and Jacksonville Armada FC both have two matches in hand, NCFC will have a match against both teams, starting with New York this weekend.
NCFC will look to take advantage of New York’s poor home form as of late. New York has not won a match at MCU Park in four straight matches – a streak that is tied for the longest in club history. Conversely, NCFC is playing some of its best soccer on the road during the Fall Season. The club has taken points from three of its four road matches and is averaging 1.6 goals per road match in the fall –half a goal more than it averaged on the road during the Spring Season.
Despite the form from both sides, New York has history on its side in the matchup. The Cosmos are undefeated against NCFC in nine-straight league contests, but NCFC has halted New York’s win streak and taken a point from each of the last two matchups this season.
Last Time Out:
NCFC settled for a 0-0 draw with Puerto Rico FC last weekend. Despite hitting the woodwork twice and outshooting PRFC 20-4, NCFC couldn’t find the back of the net and took a point from the contest.
Players to Watch:
No. 6 Austin da Luz
Da Luz is an integral part of the NCFC midfield that will aim to generate the attack and control the match. He’s completed 1,132 passes, which ranks 10th in the league, while playing 1,774 minutes in 20 matches this season. Look for the midfield tactician to create chances and help NCFC control the match from the middle of the park.
No. 16 Juan Guerra
The experienced Venezuelan has been a mainstay in the Cosmos team. In his last outing, Guerra recorded a goal in the 2-2 draw with the San Francisco Deltas on Sep. 20. He has five goals and one assist in 23 appearances with the club in 2017. Look for Guerra to run the midfield on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will return home to take on the Indy Eleven on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.
MATCHDAY INFO:
NEW YORK COSMOS VS NORTH CAROLINA FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 – 7:00 P.M. ET
MCU PARK
DIGITAL: ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #NYCvNCFC
CARY, N.C. (Sep. 22, 2017) – With just six matches remaining in the Fall Season for North Carolina FC (8W-9DL-9L, 33 points, 3rd place), every match is critically important for the club’s push to qualify for the 2017 NASL playoffs. NCFC will meet another potential playoff team – the New York Cosmos (7W-12D-6L, 33 points, fifth place) – on Saturday, Sep. 23 at 7 p.m. at MCU Park in Brooklyn. With three points on the line, both sides are eager to gain ground on the other in what may be a major match in deciding who is going to qualify for the playoffs.
Both sides are part of a trio of teams in the NASL with 33 points in the overall table. While New York and Jacksonville Armada FC both have two matches in hand, NCFC will have a match against both teams, starting with New York this weekend.
NCFC will look to take advantage of New York’s poor home form as of late. New York has not won a match at MCU Park in four straight matches – a streak that is tied for the longest in club history. Conversely, NCFC is playing some of its best soccer on the road during the Fall Season. The club has taken points from three of its four road matches and is averaging 1.6 goals per road match in the fall –half a goal more than it averaged on the road during the Spring Season.
Despite the form from both sides, New York has history on its side in the matchup. The Cosmos are undefeated against NCFC in nine-straight league contests, but NCFC has halted New York’s win streak and taken a point from each of the last two matchups this season.
Last Time Out:
NCFC settled for a 0-0 draw with Puerto Rico FC last weekend. Despite hitting the woodwork twice and outshooting PRFC 20-4, NCFC couldn’t find the back of the net and took a point from the contest.
Players to Watch:
No. 6 Austin da Luz
Da Luz is an integral part of the NCFC midfield that will aim to generate the attack and control the match. He’s completed 1,132 passes, which ranks 10th in the league, while playing 1,774 minutes in 20 matches this season. Look for the midfield tactician to create chances and help NCFC control the match from the middle of the park.
No. 16 Juan Guerra
The experienced Venezuelan has been a mainstay in the Cosmos team. In his last outing, Guerra recorded a goal in the 2-2 draw with the San Francisco Deltas on Sep. 20. He has five goals and one assist in 23 appearances with the club in 2017. Look for Guerra to run the midfield on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will return home to take on the Indy Eleven on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.