MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC v PUERTO RICO FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. ET
ESATDIO JUAN RAMON LOUBRIEL
BROADCAST INFO:
DIGITAL: ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #PRFCvNCFC
Cary, N.C. (April 28, 2017) – After four points from its last two matches, North Carolina FC (1W-2D-1L; 5 points) looks to continue building momentum in the NASL Spring Season with a visit to Puerto Rico FC (0W-3D-1L; 3 points) Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel.
NCFC’s six goals and Puerto Rico’s five goals set up a showdown between two of the top offenses in the league. NCFC will continue to make a push towards the top of the table, as one of four teams within three points of the top of the league. PRFC is also searching for points after opening the season with just three points in its first four matches. The team is undefeated at home, but currently sits in seventh place in the table.
The meeting will be the first between the two clubs in 2017. Last season during Puerto Rico’s inaugural season, PRFC earned a 2-1 win in the regular-season finale at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel and the clubs drew 2-2 in Cary.
Lance Laing and Matt Fondy, who are tied at the top of the NASL goal-scoring list with two goals each, will look to lead NCFC’s offensive unit. Tiyi Shipalane and Nazmi Albadawi have also found the back of the net this season.
Brian Sylvestre will headline the defensive effort. The goalkeeper is currently tied at the top of the league’s save list with 17 saves, and his eight-save effort against Miami FC was critical in earning last week’s result.
Last Time Out:
North Carolina FC secured a positive result on the road with a 1-1 draw against Miami FC last weekend. Laing scored in the 63rd minute to take the lead, but a stoppage-time goal from Miami ended the match in a draw.
Players to Watch:
#92 Brian Sylvestre
Following an incredible performance between the posts against Miami, Sylvestre is tied for the NASL lead with 17 saves. His play earned him NASL Player of the Week honors as well as a spot on NASL’s Week 5 Team of the Week. Sylvestre will be relied on to stop a dangerous PRFC attack, which has scored five goals in its first four matches.
#9 Hector Ramos
Ramos is one of the six leading scorers in NASL with two goals to his name after four matches. Both of his goals have come in a home and away series against the Indy Eleven. The attacker has historically played well against NCFC. He scored in both matches against the team last season.
Coming Up Next:
Following the conclusion of its two-match road swing, NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to host the San Francisco Deltas May 6th at 7:30 p.m. and the Jacksonville Armada May 13th at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and other information regarding the match, visit NCFCTix.com.
MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC v PUERTO RICO FC
KICKOFF: SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. ET
ESATDIO JUAN RAMON LOUBRIEL
BROADCAST INFO:
DIGITAL: ESPN3
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC #PRFCvNCFC
Cary, N.C. (April 28, 2017) – After four points from its last two matches, North Carolina FC (1W-2D-1L; 5 points) looks to continue building momentum in the NASL Spring Season with a visit to Puerto Rico FC (0W-3D-1L; 3 points) Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel.
NCFC’s six goals and Puerto Rico’s five goals set up a showdown between two of the top offenses in the league. NCFC will continue to make a push towards the top of the table, as one of four teams within three points of the top of the league. PRFC is also searching for points after opening the season with just three points in its first four matches. The team is undefeated at home, but currently sits in seventh place in the table.
The meeting will be the first between the two clubs in 2017. Last season during Puerto Rico’s inaugural season, PRFC earned a 2-1 win in the regular-season finale at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel and the clubs drew 2-2 in Cary.
Lance Laing and Matt Fondy, who are tied at the top of the NASL goal-scoring list with two goals each, will look to lead NCFC’s offensive unit. Tiyi Shipalane and Nazmi Albadawi have also found the back of the net this season.
Brian Sylvestre will headline the defensive effort. The goalkeeper is currently tied at the top of the league’s save list with 17 saves, and his eight-save effort against Miami FC was critical in earning last week’s result.
Last Time Out:
North Carolina FC secured a positive result on the road with a 1-1 draw against Miami FC last weekend. Laing scored in the 63rd minute to take the lead, but a stoppage-time goal from Miami ended the match in a draw.
Players to Watch:
#92 Brian Sylvestre
Following an incredible performance between the posts against Miami, Sylvestre is tied for the NASL lead with 17 saves. His play earned him NASL Player of the Week honors as well as a spot on NASL’s Week 5 Team of the Week. Sylvestre will be relied on to stop a dangerous PRFC attack, which has scored five goals in its first four matches.
#9 Hector Ramos
Ramos is one of the six leading scorers in NASL with two goals to his name after four matches. Both of his goals have come in a home and away series against the Indy Eleven. The attacker has historically played well against NCFC. He scored in both matches against the team last season.
Coming Up Next:
Following the conclusion of its two-match road swing, NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to host the San Francisco Deltas May 6th at 7:30 p.m. and the Jacksonville Armada May 13th at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and other information regarding the match, visit NCFCTix.com.
