Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs. Richmond Kickers
Saturday, May 28 at 7 p.m. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park
Cary, NC
CARY, NC (May 26, 2022) – North Carolina FC will play its final home match during the month of May this weekend, facing the Richmond Kickers for the first time this season. Kickoff is set for Saturday, May 28 at 7 p.m. ET. NCFC currently sits at fifth place in the table, with Richmond just two points behind in sixth, making Saturday’s contest vital for both sides as the standings continue to take shape. Tickets to the match are available here, and the match will air live on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
North Carolina FC snapped Greenville Triumph SC’s three-game unbeaten streak last Saturday, defeating their regional rival 1-0 behind an early goal from midfielder Luis Arriaga. The goal was Arriaga’s first of the regular season, with Jaden Servania picking up the assist. Nick Holliday recorded his second regular-season appearance between the posts during the match, collecting his first professional clean sheet.
“I thought that was the most complete performance that we’ve put together so far this year,” Head Coach John Bradford said following the match. “In previous games, we’ve found a way to have a moment where we lose focus or lose concentration or whatever it may be as the game wears on, but you had a feeling about the group…that they were going to make sure that they saw out getting three points.”
“I’m really happy to get my first professional clean sheet,” Holliday said of the game. “It was an all around great effort from the guys, we stuck to our game plan and it paid off. Overall, I’m really excited and grateful.”
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #7 Luis Arriaga
Picking up his first goal of the regular season in NCFC’s victory over the Greenville Triumph, Arriaga continues to cement his value in the midfield week in and week out. In addition to his goal, the Santa Rosa, CA native has collected seven appearances, 630 minutes of playing time, and an assist, and was named to the USL League One Team of the Week in Week Eight. With position in the table up for grabs this weekend, Arriaga will look to generate scoring chances for himself and his teammates as the North Carolina side hunts for their second consecutive win.
Richmond Kickers – #32 Emiliano Terzaghi
A two-time Golden Boot winner, Terzaghi is arguably one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players. Across three seasons with the Kickers, the forward has scored 31 goals in 49 appearances, tallying three of those this season. As Richmond returns to action for the first time in two weeks, Terzaghi will look to pose a significant challenge to the NCFC backline, leading the charge on offense as the Kickers vie for three points, a feat the squad has not achieved since April 25.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will travel to face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for the second time this season on Wednesday, June 8 at 9 p.m. ET at Future Legends Complex in Windsor, CO. The match will air on ESPN+.
