CARY, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2017) – North Carolina FC continued to solidify its postseason fate, clinching a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The win moves NCFC to 42 points on the season, which is now five points ahead of New York and Jacksonville who both have 37 points in the combined standings. The home side is enjoying its best form of the season and has won three-straight matches in three-straight shutouts. Additionally, the side has only allowed one goal in its last 540 minutes of play.
CARY, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2017) – North Carolina FC continued to solidify its postseason fate, clinching a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The win moves NCFC to 42 points on the season, which is now five points ahead of New York and Jacksonville who both have 37 points in the combined standings. The home side is enjoying its best form of the season and has won three-straight matches in three-straight shutouts. Additionally, the side has only allowed one goal in its last 540 minutes of play.
The hosts jumped out to a lead in the 23rd minute, as Steven Miller scored his fourth league goal of the year and second in as many matches. Austin da Luz had a cross deflected to the top of the box where a waiting Miller clinically finished his shot for the goal.
NCFC’s 1-0 lead held throughout the game. Puerto Rico found the back of the net in the dying moments of the first half, but an offside call pulled back the goal to keep the visitors at bay.
In the second half, the squads played in sloppy conditions, due to intermittent rain, and struggled to convert their chances. Lance Laing had a one-on-one chance in the 86th minute, but sent his shot high. Renan Gorne and James Marcelin also had good looks at goal, but couldn’t convert.
On the other side, PRFC had several chances, but couldn’t find the target, as Macklin Robinson earned his first complete shutout in his first NASL start. The goalkeeper wasn’t forced to make a save in the contest.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will head south for a pivotal match in the playoff race against Jacksonville Armada FC. The two clubs are separated by just five points although Jacksonville has a game in hand. The teams will meet Friday, Oct. 13 at Hodges Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The club will return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for its regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. to face the San Francisco Deltas. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting NCFCTix.com or by calling the North Carolina Football Club box office at 919-459-8144.
Notes:
- Macklin Robinson made his first NASL start for the club, the goalkeeper extended NCFC’s shutout streak to three matches and 270 minutes while making zero saves.
- D.J. Taylor filled in for Kareem Moses at right back who was on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago and played 68 minutes.
- Steven Miller scored his fourth goal of the NASL season with a goal in the 23rd minute.
- The game was originally scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico, but moved to Cary, N.C., after destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.
- NCFC devolved half of the gate to the Carmelo Anthony Hurricane Relief Fund
Lineups
PRFC: Austin Pack; Kyle Culbertson, Ramon Soria ©, Seth Moses, Phanuel Kavita; Michael Ramos (Giuseppe Gentile, 67’), Jordi Quintilla, Walter Ramirez, Conor Doyle, Michael Kafari (Jorge Rivera, 82’), Sidney Rivera (Mario Martinez Rubio, 72’)
Subs not used: Trevor Spangenberg, Brian Bement, Rudy Dawson
NCFC: Macklin Robinson; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, DJ Taylor (Lance Laing, 68’); Austin da Luz, Dre Fortune (Bolu Akinyode, 71’), Marcel Kandziora (James Marcelin, 84’), Nazmi Albadawi ©, Steven Miller; Renan Gorne
Subs not used: George Marks, Tiyi Shipalane, Billy Schuler, Jonathan Glenn,
Score:
PRFC: 0
NCFC: 1
Goals:
PRFC:
NCFC: Steven Miller (Unassisted, 31’)
Cautions:
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla, 53’, Phanuel Kavita, 73’
NCFC: Marcel Kandziora, 84’
Ejections:
PRFC:
NCFC:
The hosts jumped out to a lead in the 23rd minute, as Steven Miller scored his fourth league goal of the year and second in as many matches. Austin da Luz had a cross deflected to the top of the box where a waiting Miller clinically finished his shot for the goal.
NCFC’s 1-0 lead held throughout the game. Puerto Rico found the back of the net in the dying moments of the first half, but an offside call pulled back the goal to keep the visitors at bay.
In the second half, the squads played in sloppy conditions, due to intermittent rain, and struggled to convert their chances. Lance Laing had a one-on-one chance in the 86th minute, but sent his shot high. Renan Gorne and James Marcelin also had good looks at goal, but couldn’t convert.
On the other side, PRFC had several chances, but couldn’t find the target, as Macklin Robinson earned his first complete shutout in his first NASL start. The goalkeeper wasn’t forced to make a save in the contest.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will head south for a pivotal match in the playoff race against Jacksonville Armada FC. The two clubs are separated by just five points although Jacksonville has a game in hand. The teams will meet Friday, Oct. 13 at Hodges Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The club will return to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for its regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. to face the San Francisco Deltas. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting NCFCTix.com or by calling the North Carolina Football Club box office at 919-459-8144.
Notes:
- Macklin Robinson made his first NASL start for the club, the goalkeeper extended NCFC’s shutout streak to three matches and 270 minutes while making zero saves.
- D.J. Taylor filled in for Kareem Moses at right back who was on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago and played 68 minutes.
- Steven Miller scored his fourth goal of the NASL season with a goal in the 23rd minute.
- The game was originally scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico, but moved to Cary, N.C., after destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.
- NCFC devolved half of the gate to the Carmelo Anthony Hurricane Relief Fund
Lineups
PRFC: Austin Pack; Kyle Culbertson, Ramon Soria ©, Seth Moses, Phanuel Kavita; Michael Ramos (Giuseppe Gentile, 67’), Jordi Quintilla, Walter Ramirez, Conor Doyle, Michael Kafari (Jorge Rivera, 82’), Sidney Rivera (Mario Martinez Rubio, 72’)
Subs not used: Trevor Spangenberg, Brian Bement, Rudy Dawson
NCFC: Macklin Robinson; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, DJ Taylor (Lance Laing, 68’); Austin da Luz, Dre Fortune (Bolu Akinyode, 71’), Marcel Kandziora (James Marcelin, 84’), Nazmi Albadawi ©, Steven Miller; Renan Gorne
Subs not used: George Marks, Tiyi Shipalane, Billy Schuler, Jonathan Glenn,
Score:
PRFC: 0
NCFC: 1
Goals:
PRFC:
NCFC: Steven Miller (Unassisted, 31’)
Cautions:
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla, 53’, Phanuel Kavita, 73’
NCFC: Marcel Kandziora, 84’
Ejections:
PRFC:
NCFC: