CARY, N.C. (July 15, 2017) – Late-game dramatics led to a 2-1 victory for North Carolina FC over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Despite NCFC holding a 1-0 lead for most of the match, Puerto Rico scored late to equalize. However, NCFC was awarded a penalty in stoppage time to retake its advantage in the final minutes and hold on for the win.
"I'm delighted. They put a lot of hard work into it and got the result," said head coach Colin Clarke. "I thought we deserved it overall. We were fortunate a little bit at the end, maybe it was on the line or just outside. I think we played well enough and created enough chances, particularly in the first half to be two or three up. Fair play to them, they came out the second half and stepped up their pressure a little bit. I think overall, we deserved the three points."
NCFC opened the match with its patented quick attack, scoring in the 15th minute. Lance Laing added his team-leading sixth NASL goal of the year off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi. After NCFC regained possession in the midfield, Albadawi fed a streaking Laing, who flew past the PRFC defense and added an easy one-on-one finish past the visiting goalkeeper.
The hosts continued their dominance in the attacking half all night. NCFC outshot PRFC 11-4 and ended with a 62.9-37.1 percent advantage in possession. NCFC narrowly missed more chances to score, as a Christian Ibeagha header hit the post in the first half and Albadawi had a shot cleared off the line by Cristiano Dias in the second half.
Despite NCFC’s dominance on the attacking end, PRFC struck next, netting a goal in the 83rd minute. Kyle Culbertson crossed the ball from the left to Phanuel Kavita for the goal.
After conceding, NCFC pressed forward for the game winner. PRFC handled the pressure until stoppage time when Albadawi was pulled down in the box by Culbertson. Matt Fondy stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty kick for the game-winning goal and his fourth NASL tally of the year.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will host a marque international exhibition against English Premier League side Swansea City AFC on Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. A variety of ticket packages are available for the match at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling 919.459.8144.
Notes:
– NCFC returned to its original backline of Steven Miller, Christian Ibeagha, Connor Tobin and Paul Black for the first time since May 13th
– Lance Laing notched his sixth NASL goal and seventh goal across all competitions off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi in the 16th minute.
– Matt Fondy returned to form and scored with a penalty kick in stoppage time for his fourth goal of the year.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Bolu Akinyode, 83’), Austin Da Luz (Kareem Moses, 90’+), James Marcelin, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Jose Carranza (Dre Fortune, 83’); Matt Fondy
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Saeed Robinson, Tiyi Shipalane, Brian Shriver
PRFC: Trevor Spangenberg; Seth Moses (Walter Ramirez, 82’), Cristiano Dias ©, Ramon Soria, Phanuel Kavita; Jordi Quintilla, Jairo Puerto (Kyle Culbertson, 57’), Conor Doyle; Giuseppe Gentile, Emery Welshman, Sidney Rivera (Michael Kafari, 46’)
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Rudy Dawson, Michael Ramos, Jorge Rivera
Score:
NCFC: 2
PRFC: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Lance Laing (17’, Nazmi Albadawi), Matt Fondy (90’+, PK)
PRFC: Phanuel Kavita (83’, Kyle Culbertson)
Cautions:
NCFC: Steven Miller 71’, Jose Carranza 83’
PRFC: Emery Welshman 31’, Cristiano Dias 66’, Trevor Spangenberg 90’+
Ejections:
NCFC: —
PRFC: —
Attendance: 4,227
CARY, N.C. (July 15, 2017) – Late-game dramatics led to a 2-1 victory for North Carolina FC over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Despite NCFC holding a 1-0 lead for most of the match, Puerto Rico scored late to equalize. However, NCFC was awarded a penalty in stoppage time to retake its advantage in the final minutes and hold on for the win.
“I’m delighted. They put a lot of hard work into it and got the result,” said head coach Colin Clarke. “I thought we deserved it overall. We were fortunate a little bit at the end, maybe it was on the line or just outside. I think we played well enough and created enough chances, particularly in the first half to be two or three up. Fair play to them, they came out the second half and stepped up their pressure a little bit. I think overall, we deserved the three points.”
NCFC opened the match with its patented quick attack, scoring in the 15th minute. Lance Laing added his team-leading sixth NASL goal of the year off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi. After NCFC regained possession in the midfield, Albadawi fed a streaking Laing, who flew past the PRFC defense and added an easy one-on-one finish past the visiting goalkeeper.
The hosts continued their dominance in the attacking half all night. NCFC outshot PRFC 11-4 and ended with a 62.9-37.1 percent advantage in possession. NCFC narrowly missed more chances to score, as a Christian Ibeagha header hit the post in the first half and Albadawi had a shot cleared off the line by Cristiano Dias in the second half.
Despite NCFC’s dominance on the attacking end, PRFC struck next, netting a goal in the 83rd minute. Kyle Culbertson crossed the ball from the left to Phanuel Kavita for the goal.
After conceding, NCFC pressed forward for the game winner. PRFC handled the pressure until stoppage time when Albadawi was pulled down in the box by Culbertson. Matt Fondy stepped up to the spot and buried the penalty kick for the game-winning goal and his fourth NASL tally of the year.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will host a marque international exhibition against English Premier League side Swansea City AFC on Saturday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. A variety of ticket packages are available for the match at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling 919.459.8144.
Notes:
– NCFC returned to its original backline of Steven Miller, Christian Ibeagha, Connor Tobin and Paul Black for the first time since May 13th
– Lance Laing notched his sixth NASL goal and seventh goal across all competitions off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi in the 16th minute.
– Matt Fondy returned to form and scored with a penalty kick in stoppage time for his fourth goal of the year.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Bolu Akinyode, 83’), Austin Da Luz (Kareem Moses, 90’+), James Marcelin, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Jose Carranza (Dre Fortune, 83’); Matt Fondy
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Saeed Robinson, Tiyi Shipalane, Brian Shriver
PRFC: Trevor Spangenberg; Seth Moses (Walter Ramirez, 82’), Cristiano Dias ©, Ramon Soria, Phanuel Kavita; Jordi Quintilla, Jairo Puerto (Kyle Culbertson, 57’), Conor Doyle; Giuseppe Gentile, Emery Welshman, Sidney Rivera (Michael Kafari, 46’)
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Rudy Dawson, Michael Ramos, Jorge Rivera
Score:
NCFC: 2
PRFC: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Lance Laing (17’, Nazmi Albadawi), Matt Fondy (90’+, PK)
PRFC: Phanuel Kavita (83’, Kyle Culbertson)
Cautions:
NCFC: Steven Miller 71’, Jose Carranza 83’
PRFC: Emery Welshman 31’, Cristiano Dias 66’, Trevor Spangenberg 90’+
Ejections:
NCFC: —
PRFC: —
Attendance: 4,227
