MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC VS MIAMI FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. ET
BROADCAST INFO:
TV: WRAL 2, SPECTRUM SPORTSCHANNEL
RADIO: 95.7 THE TICKET (95.7 FM and 1550 AM)
DIGITAL: WRAL.COM, ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #NCFCvMIA
Match Preview:
North Carolina FC is ready to open the 2017 NASL season and begin their championship push. NCFC had success at WakeMed Soccer Park last year, having enjoyed a nine game home-unbeaten streak in the Fall Season, and the club is looking to now start a new streak this season.
The team is returning much of its key core, including 2016 NASL Best XI and modern-era NASL all-time single-season assist leader Nazmi Albadawi, Matt Fondy, Brian Sylvestre, Connor Tobin and Austin da Luz. Fondy broke out as the club’s leading goal scorer in 2016, with seven goals and two assists.
Sylvestre also had a breakout year, as he took over as the club’s starting goalkeeper. Sylvestre was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year due to his five shutouts and 62 saves. The 23-year-old was additionally nominated for the League’s Young Player of the Year award.
Miami FC has several new faces as well, including Michel, Stefano Pinho and Dylan Mares.
Michel served as Rayo OKC’s first-ever captain during the 2016 NASL season and Mares played for the Indy Eleven team that made it to the Championship game. Pinho played for Minnesota United FC last year, after a 2015 season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that saw him win the NASL Golden Ball for his 16 goals and seven assists.
Last Time Out:
North Carolina FC finished with a 11W-7D-14L record at the conclusion of the 2016 season and is now looking to follow up with a Championship run in 2017. The club’s last NASL game was a tough fought 2-1 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders on Oct. 29.
The last time the club met Miami FC was Sept. 14 at FIU Stadium where the home team picked up a 1-0 win over NCFC. North Carolina outshot Miami, but it was Miami who came out victorious, after a Dario Cvitanich goal in the 77th minute. Prior to that, NCFC and Miami were held to draws in their two previous meetings in 2016.
NCFC played their last preseason match on Wednesday in an international exhibition against Atlas FC of Mexico’s Liga MX. Kareem Moses provided North Carolina with their goal in the 68th minute after he blasted a shot past Atlas goalkeeper, José Hernández. The team impressed with their speed, but was ultimately edged by Atlas with a 2-1 result.
Players to Watch:
#10 Nazmi Albadawi
As NCFC’s most consistent player in the 2016 NASL Season, Alabdawi was named to the league’s Best XI and was voted the team’s Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. The captain also broke a modern-era NASL record for most assists in a single season with 10. Albadawi was an NASL Golden Ball Award (MVP) nominee last year and is a fan favorite midfielder that will be playing in his fourth season with the club. Though Albadawi is always generous in his willingness to help teammates score, he is also a scoring threat, as he tallied 13 goals in his time with the club.
#31 Michel
Like Albadawi, Michel was named to the league’s Best XI of the 2016 season. Michel helped Rayo OKC reach the Championship Playoffs and throughout the season, the Brazilian midfielder scored 14 goals and tallied three assists. He started 27 games for the Oklahoma team last season and served as the club’s most consistent offensive force.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will be taking on the San Francisco Deltas on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 p.m. at Kezar Stadium for their first-ever matchup and for NCFC’s first away game of the Spring Season.
MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC VS MIAMI FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. ET
BROADCAST INFO:
TV: WRAL 2, SPECTRUM SPORTSCHANNEL
RADIO: 95.7 THE TICKET (95.7 FM and 1550 AM)
DIGITAL: WRAL.COM, ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #NCFCvMIA
Match Preview:
North Carolina FC is ready to open the 2017 NASL season and begin their championship push. NCFC had success at WakeMed Soccer Park last year, having enjoyed a nine game home-unbeaten streak in the Fall Season, and the club is looking to now start a new streak this season.
The team is returning much of its key core, including 2016 NASL Best XI and modern-era NASL all-time single-season assist leader Nazmi Albadawi, Matt Fondy, Brian Sylvestre, Connor Tobin and Austin da Luz. Fondy broke out as the club’s leading goal scorer in 2016, with seven goals and two assists.
Sylvestre also had a breakout year, as he took over as the club’s starting goalkeeper. Sylvestre was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year due to his five shutouts and 62 saves. The 23-year-old was additionally nominated for the League’s Young Player of the Year award.
Miami FC has several new faces as well, including Michel, Stefano Pinho and Dylan Mares.
Michel served as Rayo OKC’s first-ever captain during the 2016 NASL season and Mares played for the Indy Eleven team that made it to the Championship game. Pinho played for Minnesota United FC last year, after a 2015 season with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that saw him win the NASL Golden Ball for his 16 goals and seven assists.
Last Time Out:
North Carolina FC finished with a 11W-7D-14L record at the conclusion of the 2016 season and is now looking to follow up with a Championship run in 2017. The club’s last NASL game was a tough fought 2-1 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders on Oct. 29.
The last time the club met Miami FC was Sept. 14 at FIU Stadium where the home team picked up a 1-0 win over NCFC. North Carolina outshot Miami, but it was Miami who came out victorious, after a Dario Cvitanich goal in the 77th minute. Prior to that, NCFC and Miami were held to draws in their two previous meetings in 2016.
NCFC played their last preseason match on Wednesday in an international exhibition against Atlas FC of Mexico’s Liga MX. Kareem Moses provided North Carolina with their goal in the 68th minute after he blasted a shot past Atlas goalkeeper, José Hernández. The team impressed with their speed, but was ultimately edged by Atlas with a 2-1 result.
Players to Watch:
#10 Nazmi Albadawi
As NCFC’s most consistent player in the 2016 NASL Season, Alabdawi was named to the league’s Best XI and was voted the team’s Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. The captain also broke a modern-era NASL record for most assists in a single season with 10. Albadawi was an NASL Golden Ball Award (MVP) nominee last year and is a fan favorite midfielder that will be playing in his fourth season with the club. Though Albadawi is always generous in his willingness to help teammates score, he is also a scoring threat, as he tallied 13 goals in his time with the club.
#31 Michel
Like Albadawi, Michel was named to the league’s Best XI of the 2016 season. Michel helped Rayo OKC reach the Championship Playoffs and throughout the season, the Brazilian midfielder scored 14 goals and tallied three assists. He started 27 games for the Oklahoma team last season and served as the club’s most consistent offensive force.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will be taking on the San Francisco Deltas on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 p.m. at Kezar Stadium for their first-ever matchup and for NCFC’s first away game of the Spring Season.