Cary NC (April 15, 2017) – North Carolina FC (1W-1D-1L; 4 pts) remains unbeaten at home with a Saturday night 3-1 win against FC Edmonton (0W-0D-3L; 0 pts) at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. NCFC goals were provided by Lance Laing, Nazmi Albadawi and Matt Fondy in the commanding performance.
"I'm happy for everyone involved," said Head Coach Colin Clarke. "The women winning, us winning, it has been a good, positive weekend."
Ready to grab control of the game early, North Carolina FC put the pressure on FC Edmonton right at kickoff. Lance Laing gave NCFC a quick lead in the 4th minute with a highlight reel worthy free kick that rocketed over Edmonton goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
Looking to add on, the always dangerous Matt Fondy had a chance in the 18thminute, as his left-footed shot flew just wide of the top left corner.
Not slowing down, the club added another tally in the 23rd minute with Nazmi Albadawi’s first goal of the season. The midfielder carried the ball for 50 yards and found the back of the net from the bottom right corner after he fired a low, powerful shot.
NCFC’s strong efforts in the first half showed, as the club outshot Edmonton 8-5, securing a 2-0 lead after 45 minutes.
The club had another quick goal upon return for the second half, with Fondy’s second goal of the season in the 48th minute. The forward found Steven Miller’s cross to give his club a 3-1 lead and become NCFC’s current leading goal scorer.
Not a club to sit on a lead, Laing was looking for his second goal of the season, and NCFC’s fourth of the night, in the 51st minute as the Jamaican forced Konopka to make a save in the bottom left corner.
Though NCFC continued to attack, Edmonton broke through in the 72nd minute with a goal from Tomi Ameobi, as the forward slipped a rebounded shot past Brian Sylvestre denying him the shutout.
Worth noting, North Carolina FC amateur signee and United States U18 standout, Jose Carranza, made his debut for the club as he subbed in for Laing in the 75thminute.
Overall, North Carolina FC secured three points for their first home win of the season, and outshot FC Edmonton 15-12.
"We knew we would cause them [Edmonton] problems," Clarke said. "We move the ball very well and create a lot of good stuff in the first and second half."
Up next: North Carolina FC next plays at Riccardo Silva Stadium for an April 22 7:30 p.m. match against Miami FC. The club then travels to Puerto Rico, before returning home on Saturday, May 6 as the club hosts the San Francisco Deltas at 7:30 P.M. at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. For tickets and information please visit NCFCTix.com.
Notes:
- Lance Laing returned to the lineup after being sidelined by injury for the last game against San Francisco.
- U.S. U18 standout Jose Carranza made his NASL debut for NCFC, playing 15 minutes.
- Bolu Akinyode also made his regular season debut coming on in added time.
- Laing’s goal was his first for NCFC. He had previously recorded an assist in the season opener against Miami FC.
- Nazmi Albadawi scored his first goal of 2017.
- Matt Fondy scored his second goal of the season. He had previously scored in the home opener against Miami FC.
- Steven Miller and James Marcelin recorded their first assists of the season.
North Carolina FC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Jose Carranza, 75’), Austin da Luz, Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin, Tiyi Shipalane (Brian Shriver 75’); Matt Fondy (Bolu Akinyode, 90+)
Subs not used: Matias Reynares, Kareem Moses, Alex Molano, Billy Schuler.
FC Edmonton: Chris Konopka, Shawn Nicklaw, Albert Watson, Adam Straith, Netan Sansara; Nik Ledgerwood © (Sabri Khattab, 71’), Dustin Corea, Nicolas Di Biase (Allan Zebie, 41’); Tomi Amoebi; Jake Keegan (Sainey Nyassi, 46’), Dean Shiels
Subs: Nathan Ingham, Abdoulaye Diakite.
Score:
NCFC: 3
EDM: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Lance Laing (unassisted, 4’), Nazmi Albadawi (James Marcelin, 23’), Matt Fondy (Steven Miller, 48’)
EDM: Tomi Amoebi (Dean Shiels, 72’)
Cautions:
NCFC: —
EDM: —
Ejections:
NCFC: —
EDM: —
Attendance: 4,293
Cary NC (April 15, 2017) – North Carolina FC (1W-1D-1L; 4 pts) remains unbeaten at home with a Saturday night 3-1 win against FC Edmonton (0W-0D-3L; 0 pts) at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. NCFC goals were provided by Lance Laing, Nazmi Albadawi and Matt Fondy in the commanding performance.
“I’m happy for everyone involved,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “The women winning, us winning, it has been a good, positive weekend.”
Ready to grab control of the game early, North Carolina FC put the pressure on FC Edmonton right at kickoff. Lance Laing gave NCFC a quick lead in the 4th minute with a highlight reel worthy free kick that rocketed over Edmonton goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
Looking to add on, the always dangerous Matt Fondy had a chance in the 18thminute, as his left-footed shot flew just wide of the top left corner.
Not slowing down, the club added another tally in the 23rd minute with Nazmi Albadawi’s first goal of the season. The midfielder carried the ball for 50 yards and found the back of the net from the bottom right corner after he fired a low, powerful shot.
NCFC’s strong efforts in the first half showed, as the club outshot Edmonton 8-5, securing a 2-0 lead after 45 minutes.
The club had another quick goal upon return for the second half, with Fondy’s second goal of the season in the 48th minute. The forward found Steven Miller’s cross to give his club a 3-1 lead and become NCFC’s current leading goal scorer.
Not a club to sit on a lead, Laing was looking for his second goal of the season, and NCFC’s fourth of the night, in the 51st minute as the Jamaican forced Konopka to make a save in the bottom left corner.
Though NCFC continued to attack, Edmonton broke through in the 72nd minute with a goal from Tomi Ameobi, as the forward slipped a rebounded shot past Brian Sylvestre denying him the shutout.
Worth noting, North Carolina FC amateur signee and United States U18 standout, Jose Carranza, made his debut for the club as he subbed in for Laing in the 75thminute.
Overall, North Carolina FC secured three points for their first home win of the season, and outshot FC Edmonton 15-12.
“We knew we would cause them [Edmonton] problems,” Clarke said. “We move the ball very well and create a lot of good stuff in the first and second half.”
Up next: North Carolina FC next plays at Riccardo Silva Stadium for an April 22 7:30 p.m. match against Miami FC. The club then travels to Puerto Rico, before returning home on Saturday, May 6 as the club hosts the San Francisco Deltas at 7:30 P.M. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. For tickets and information please visit NCFCTix.com.
Notes:
- Lance Laing returned to the lineup after being sidelined by injury for the last game against San Francisco.
- U.S. U18 standout Jose Carranza made his NASL debut for NCFC, playing 15 minutes.
- Bolu Akinyode also made his regular season debut coming on in added time.
- Laing’s goal was his first for NCFC. He had previously recorded an assist in the season opener against Miami FC.
- Nazmi Albadawi scored his first goal of 2017.
- Matt Fondy scored his second goal of the season. He had previously scored in the home opener against Miami FC.
- Steven Miller and James Marcelin recorded their first assists of the season.
North Carolina FC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Jose Carranza, 75’), Austin da Luz, Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin, Tiyi Shipalane (Brian Shriver 75’); Matt Fondy (Bolu Akinyode, 90+)
Subs not used: Matias Reynares, Kareem Moses, Alex Molano, Billy Schuler.
FC Edmonton: Chris Konopka, Shawn Nicklaw, Albert Watson, Adam Straith, Netan Sansara; Nik Ledgerwood © (Sabri Khattab, 71’), Dustin Corea, Nicolas Di Biase (Allan Zebie, 41’); Tomi Amoebi; Jake Keegan (Sainey Nyassi, 46’), Dean Shiels
Subs: Nathan Ingham, Abdoulaye Diakite.
Score:
NCFC: 3
EDM: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Lance Laing (unassisted, 4’), Nazmi Albadawi (James Marcelin, 23’), Matt Fondy (Steven Miller, 48’)
EDM: Tomi Amoebi (Dean Shiels, 72’)
Cautions:
NCFC: —
EDM: —
Ejections:
NCFC: —
EDM: —
Attendance: 4,293
