CARY, N.C. (July 7, 2017) – North Carolina FC dropped a tough result on the road at FC Edmonton on Friday night, falling 2-1 at Clarke Stadium. NCFC scored the opener in the 24th minute with a goal from Dre Fortune, but Edmonton answered with two late goals in the 77th and 80th minutes to win the match.
With the result, NCFC and Edmonton have split its last two meetings this season. NCFC won the first match 3-1 at home on April 15.
After a fierce start to the match from an attacking-minded Edmonton side, NCFC survived the early push and scored the first goal in the 24th minute. Fortune, who was making his first NASL start, tallied his first professional goal after cleaning up a loose ball in the box and placing his shot into the corner of the net.
With the goal, Fortune became the first former Capital Area RailHawks Academy member to score a competitive goal for the first team.
NCFC continued to pressure Edmonton and nearly doubled its lead near the end of the half when Tiyi Shipalane’s free kick hit the top of the crossbar. However, the shot bounced out of play and NCFC entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Following the break, NCFC and Edmonton continued their end-to-end play, as both teams had chances to score. Lance Laing produced a scoring opportunity when he sprinted in behind the Edmonton defense, but his shot from close range was too high and clipped the crossbar on the way over the goal in the 61st minute.
Edmonton responded with a chance in the 70th minute, but excellent defensive play from NCFC kept the ball out of the back of the net. Edmonton’s Tomi Ameobi ripped a low shot towards the goal, but Paul Black was on the line to block the shot. The rebound fell to Ben Fisk, but Christian Ibeagha stepped up to clear his shot off the line.
Despite NCFC’s solid defensive efforts, the team couldn’t preserve the shutout, as FC Edmonton scored twice in a three-minute period to take the lead.
Ameobi headed in a cross from Fisk in the 77th minute to level the match. Just three minutes later, Edmonton grabbed a second goal, as Mauro Eustaquio finished Sainey Nyassi’s cross from close range to take the lead.
NCFC had its chance to level the match in extra time, but Matt Fondy was unable to hit the target in a crowded penalty area, as Edmonton held on to take all three points.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC returns home on Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. to take on Puerto Rico FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling 919.459.8144.
Notes:
NCFC was without head coach Colin Clarke who was in Nashville, Tenn., to continue a USSF PRO coaching course.
Assistant coach Dewan Bader coached the team in Clarke's absence.
Dre Fortune earned his first NASL start and scored his first professional goal with a tally in the 24th minute.
Fortune became the first former Capital Area RailHawks Academy member to score a professional goal for the first team.
Connor Tobin made his 100th competitive appearance for the club in a 90-minute effort.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Brad Ruhaak; Lance Laing (Saeed Robinson, 85’), Dre Fortune (Brian Shriver, 75’), Nazmi Albadawi (C), Austin da Luz, Tiyi Shipalane (Jose Carranza, 63’); Matt Fondy
Subs not used: Matias Reynares, Kareem Moses, Jonathon Orlando, Steven Miller
FCE: Nathan Ingham (Tyson Farago, 45+’); Sainey Nyassi, Albert Watson, Abdoulaye Diakite (Karsten Smith, 42’), Pedro Galvao; Sabri Khattab (Jake Keegan, 72’), Shawn Nicklaw, Ben Fisk, Mauro Eustaquio; Tomi Amoebi ©, Allan Zebie
Subs not used: Dean Shiels
Score:
FCE: 2
NCFC: 1
Goals:
FCE: Tomi Ameobi (Beni Fisk, 77’), Mauro Eustaquio (Sainey Nyassi, 80’)
NCFC: Dre Fortune (Unassisted, 24’)
Cautions:
FCE: Abdoulaye Diakite 30’, Albert Watson 32’
NCFC: Jose Carranza 86’
Ejections:
FCE:
NCFC:
Attendance: 3,438
CARY, N.C. (July 7, 2017) – North Carolina FC dropped a tough result on the road at FC Edmonton on Friday night, falling 2-1 at Clarke Stadium. NCFC scored the opener in the 24th minute with a goal from Dre Fortune, but Edmonton answered with two late goals in the 77th and 80th minutes to win the match.
With the result, NCFC and Edmonton have split its last two meetings this season. NCFC won the first match 3-1 at home on April 15.
After a fierce start to the match from an attacking-minded Edmonton side, NCFC survived the early push and scored the first goal in the 24th minute. Fortune, who was making his first NASL start, tallied his first professional goal after cleaning up a loose ball in the box and placing his shot into the corner of the net.
With the goal, Fortune became the first former Capital Area RailHawks Academy member to score a competitive goal for the first team.
NCFC continued to pressure Edmonton and nearly doubled its lead near the end of the half when Tiyi Shipalane’s free kick hit the top of the crossbar. However, the shot bounced out of play and NCFC entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Following the break, NCFC and Edmonton continued their end-to-end play, as both teams had chances to score. Lance Laing produced a scoring opportunity when he sprinted in behind the Edmonton defense, but his shot from close range was too high and clipped the crossbar on the way over the goal in the 61st minute.
Edmonton responded with a chance in the 70th minute, but excellent defensive play from NCFC kept the ball out of the back of the net. Edmonton’s Tomi Ameobi ripped a low shot towards the goal, but Paul Black was on the line to block the shot. The rebound fell to Ben Fisk, but Christian Ibeagha stepped up to clear his shot off the line.
Despite NCFC’s solid defensive efforts, the team couldn’t preserve the shutout, as FC Edmonton scored twice in a three-minute period to take the lead.
Ameobi headed in a cross from Fisk in the 77th minute to level the match. Just three minutes later, Edmonton grabbed a second goal, as Mauro Eustaquio finished Sainey Nyassi’s cross from close range to take the lead.
NCFC had its chance to level the match in extra time, but Matt Fondy was unable to hit the target in a crowded penalty area, as Edmonton held on to take all three points.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC returns home on Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. to take on Puerto Rico FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling 919.459.8144.
Notes:
NCFC was without head coach Colin Clarke who was in Nashville, Tenn., to continue a USSF PRO coaching course.
Assistant coach Dewan Bader coached the team in Clarke’s absence.
Dre Fortune earned his first NASL start and scored his first professional goal with a tally in the 24th minute.
Fortune became the first former Capital Area RailHawks Academy member to score a professional goal for the first team.
Connor Tobin made his 100th competitive appearance for the club in a 90-minute effort.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Brad Ruhaak; Lance Laing (Saeed Robinson, 85’), Dre Fortune (Brian Shriver, 75’), Nazmi Albadawi (C), Austin da Luz, Tiyi Shipalane (Jose Carranza, 63’); Matt Fondy
Subs not used: Matias Reynares, Kareem Moses, Jonathon Orlando, Steven Miller
FCE: Nathan Ingham (Tyson Farago, 45+’); Sainey Nyassi, Albert Watson, Abdoulaye Diakite (Karsten Smith, 42’), Pedro Galvao; Sabri Khattab (Jake Keegan, 72’), Shawn Nicklaw, Ben Fisk, Mauro Eustaquio; Tomi Amoebi ©, Allan Zebie
Subs not used: Dean Shiels
Score:
FCE: 2
NCFC: 1
Goals:
FCE: Tomi Ameobi (Beni Fisk, 77’), Mauro Eustaquio (Sainey Nyassi, 80’)
NCFC: Dre Fortune (Unassisted, 24’)
Cautions:
FCE: Abdoulaye Diakite 30’, Albert Watson 32’
NCFC: Jose Carranza 86’
Ejections:
FCE:
NCFC:
Attendance: 3,438