Cary, N.C. (May 15, 2021) – In the first match-up in history between North Carolina FC and Forward Madison FC, the home side claimed victory over NCFC with a stoppage time goal from Madison Striker Derek Gebhard in the 92nd minute.
Despite a final score of 0-1, North Carolina FC’s backline showed a dominant defensive performance throughout the night as they faced an onslaught of offensive attempts by Forward Madison. NCFC stood up to the test as Madison’s early offensive pressure included ten total shots, with two on frame, during the first half. The most dangerous opportunity of the half for NCFC came in the 38th minute when last week’s goal scorer, Selmir Miscic, struck a stunning half-volley from far outside the 18. While on frame, the attempt was saved by Madison Goalkeeper Phil Breno. In the final minute of the half, a dangerous Forward Madison counter attack was shut down by NCFC goalkeeper and USL Save of the Week recipient Jake McGuire, who came up big with a diving save to keep the match scoreless going into the second half.
Forward Madison FC continued their offensive pressure at the start of the second, but their efforts were matched as the reenergized NCFC backline continued to shut down all goal scoring opportunities. NCFC brought the offensive pressure in the 74th minute with a first-time strike from Midfielder Peter Pearson, sending a shot just over the crossbar. In the final minutes of regular time, NCFC goalkeeper Jake McGuire ventured way off of his goal line to make yet another heroic save off of a Madison counter attack. However, Madison would find the back of the net in the 92nd minute with a driving shot from Derek Gebhard, to give his team the win.
“This loss hurts, especially after the effort that this group put in for 90 minutes,” Head Coach John Bradford said. “We have to learn from this and understand how to close a game out and get a valuable point on the road. It certainly wasn’t our best attacking game, but we stayed in it with a strong defensive effort. Credit to Forward Madison on the night.”
Next Up:
North Carolina FC will continue their road swing on Saturday, May 22, taking on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium in Richmond, VA, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The team will return home to face FC Tucson on Saturday, May 29. Tickets to their next home match can be found here. More information on the club's expanded seating capacity can be found here.
Box Score:
NCFC (3-5-2): Jake McGuire, Malick Mbaye, Nelson Blanco, Nelson Martinez, Max Flick, Peter Pearson, Pecka, Luis Arriaga, Selmir Miscic (Colin McMamy -88), Joshua Coan (Cole Frame -78’), Robert Kristo
Subs Not Used: Nicholas Holliday, Collin McCamy, Britton Fischer, Curtis De Leon, Jay Tee Kamara, Malyk Hamilton
MAD (4-3-3): Phil Breno; Ronaldo Lomeli (Christian Diaz -62)Jiro Barriga Toyama, Gustavo Fernandes, Connor Tobin; Aaron Mallloy, Michael Vang (Justin Sukow -62), Audi Jepson; Jake Keegan, Tyler Allen (Noah Fuson- 69’) , Derek Gebhard.
Subs Not Used: Aidan Hogan, Heath Martin, Eric Leonard, Noah Fuson
Score:
NCFC:
MAD:
Goals:
NCFC:
MAD: Derek Gebhard – 90+
Cautions:
NCFC: Peter Person -79’
MAD: Derek Gebhard – 34; Gustavo Fernandes – 43
Ejections:
NCFC: —
MAD: —
Cary, N.C. (May 15, 2021) – In the first match-up in history between North Carolina FC and Forward Madison FC, the home side claimed victory over NCFC with a stoppage time goal from Madison Striker Derek Gebhard in the 92nd minute.
Despite a final score of 0-1, North Carolina FC’s backline showed a dominant defensive performance throughout the night as they faced an onslaught of offensive attempts by Forward Madison. NCFC stood up to the test as Madison’s early offensive pressure included ten total shots, with two on frame, during the first half. The most dangerous opportunity of the half for NCFC came in the 38th minute when last week’s goal scorer, Selmir Miscic, struck a stunning half-volley from far outside the 18. While on frame, the attempt was saved by Madison Goalkeeper Phil Breno. In the final minute of the half, a dangerous Forward Madison counter attack was shut down by NCFC goalkeeper and USL Save of the Week recipient Jake McGuire, who came up big with a diving save to keep the match scoreless going into the second half.
Forward Madison FC continued their offensive pressure at the start of the second, but their efforts were matched as the reenergized NCFC backline continued to shut down all goal scoring opportunities. NCFC brought the offensive pressure in the 74th minute with a first-time strike from Midfielder Peter Pearson, sending a shot just over the crossbar. In the final minutes of regular time, NCFC goalkeeper Jake McGuire ventured way off of his goal line to make yet another heroic save off of a Madison counter attack. However, Madison would find the back of the net in the 92nd minute with a driving shot from Derek Gebhard, to give his team the win.
“This loss hurts, especially after the effort that this group put in for 90 minutes,” Head Coach John Bradford said. “We have to learn from this and understand how to close a game out and get a valuable point on the road. It certainly wasn’t our best attacking game, but we stayed in it with a strong defensive effort. Credit to Forward Madison on the night.”
Next Up:
North Carolina FC will continue their road swing on Saturday, May 22, taking on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium in Richmond, VA, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The team will return home to face FC Tucson on Saturday, May 29. Tickets to their next home match can be found here. More information on the club’s expanded seating capacity can be found here.
Box Score:
NCFC (3-5-2): Jake McGuire, Malick Mbaye, Nelson Blanco, Nelson Martinez, Max Flick, Peter Pearson, Pecka, Luis Arriaga, Selmir Miscic (Colin McMamy -88), Joshua Coan (Cole Frame -78’), Robert Kristo
Subs Not Used: Nicholas Holliday, Collin McCamy, Britton Fischer, Curtis De Leon, Jay Tee Kamara, Malyk Hamilton
MAD (4-3-3): Phil Breno; Ronaldo Lomeli (Christian Diaz -62)Jiro Barriga Toyama, Gustavo Fernandes, Connor Tobin; Aaron Mallloy, Michael Vang (Justin Sukow -62), Audi Jepson; Jake Keegan, Tyler Allen (Noah Fuson- 69’) , Derek Gebhard.
Subs Not Used: Aidan Hogan, Heath Martin, Eric Leonard, Noah Fuson
Score:
NCFC:
MAD:
Goals:
NCFC:
MAD: Derek Gebhard – 90+
Cautions:
NCFC: Peter Person -79’
MAD: Derek Gebhard – 34; Gustavo Fernandes – 43
Ejections:
NCFC: —
MAD: —
