CARY, N.C. (July 29, 2017) – North Carolina FC came back to earn a point at home against Puerto Rico FC in a physical and hard-fought battle at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.
Matt Fondy provided late-game heroics for NCFC once again, tallying an equalizer in stoppage time via a penalty kick. North Carolina FC has taken points in the last three meetings against Puerto Rico with goals in stoppage time.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy with a point. We didn’t start the game well,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We had more urgency in the second half. We’ve talked a lot over this week about starting this Fall Season well and setting a good tempo.”
Fondy immediately caused problems for PRFC’s backline. The forward nearly earned a penalty in the fourth minute and then had a one-on-one attempt at a goal saved by Puerto Rico goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg in the seventh minute.
Despite North Carolina’s early pressure, Puerto Rico took advantage of its first chance to take an early 1-0 lead. Jordi Quintilla slotted home a shot from the top of the box via a pass from Yuma, capitalizing on a turnover deep in NCFC’s defending half in the 14th minute.
NCFC nearly found its equalizer in the 44th minute. Lance Laing beat his man on the wing, but Fondy’s header at the far post was off target.
At the break, Clarke opted for a change of shape with the addition of new signee Jonathan Glenn. Glenn made his attacking presence known early into his debut, winning multiple fouls and corner kicks through his hold-up play. The forward nearly found the back of the net in the 71st minute, but Spangenberg covered the shot with a diving save.
The pressure once again paid off in the final minutes of the match when a take-down in the box led to a Matt Fondy penalty-kick conversion. The forward put away his fifth NASL goal of the year to lock in a point for the home team.
Notes:
- NCFC started the same line up in back-to-back league matches for the first time since April 15th and 22nd.
- New signee Jonathan Glenn started tonight’s match on the bench, the forward entered the match in the 46th minute to make his official debut.
- Matt Fondy tallied his fifth goal of the season and second in as many league matches.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Jonathan Glenn, 46’), Austin Da Luz (Tiyi Shipalane, 82’), James Marcelin, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Jose Carranza; Matt Fondy (Dre Fortune, 90’+)
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Bolu Akinyode, Marcel Kandziora, Brad Ruhaak,
PRFC: Trevor Spangenberg; Rudy Dawson, Seth Moses, Phanuel Kavita; Jairo Puerto, Walter Ramirez, Jordi Quintilla (Michael Kafari, 68’), Yuma ©; Conor Doyle (Sidney Rivera, 90’+), Giuseppe Gentile (Kyle Culbertson, 80’), Hector Ramirez
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Emery Welshman, Ramon Soria,
Score:
NCFC: 1
PRFC: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Matt Fondy (90’+, PK)
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla (13’, Yuma)
Cautions:
NCFC: Austin Da Luz 4’
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla 34’, Walter Ramirez 48’, Trevor Spangenberg 72’, Phanuel Kavita 76’, Michael Kafari 84’, Jairo Puerto 90’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
PRFC: Marco Velez
Attendance: 4,166
CARY, N.C. (July 29, 2017) – North Carolina FC came back to earn a point at home against Puerto Rico FC in a physical and hard-fought battle at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.
Matt Fondy provided late-game heroics for NCFC once again, tallying an equalizer in stoppage time via a penalty kick. North Carolina FC has taken points in the last three meetings against Puerto Rico with goals in stoppage time.
“At the end of the day, I’m happy with a point. We didn’t start the game well,” said Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We had more urgency in the second half. We’ve talked a lot over this week about starting this Fall Season well and setting a good tempo.”
Fondy immediately caused problems for PRFC’s backline. The forward nearly earned a penalty in the fourth minute and then had a one-on-one attempt at a goal saved by Puerto Rico goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg in the seventh minute.
Despite North Carolina’s early pressure, Puerto Rico took advantage of its first chance to take an early 1-0 lead. Jordi Quintilla slotted home a shot from the top of the box via a pass from Yuma, capitalizing on a turnover deep in NCFC’s defending half in the 14th minute.
NCFC nearly found its equalizer in the 44th minute. Lance Laing beat his man on the wing, but Fondy’s header at the far post was off target.
At the break, Clarke opted for a change of shape with the addition of new signee Jonathan Glenn. Glenn made his attacking presence known early into his debut, winning multiple fouls and corner kicks through his hold-up play. The forward nearly found the back of the net in the 71st minute, but Spangenberg covered the shot with a diving save.
The pressure once again paid off in the final minutes of the match when a take-down in the box led to a Matt Fondy penalty-kick conversion. The forward put away his fifth NASL goal of the year to lock in a point for the home team.
Notes:
- NCFC started the same line up in back-to-back league matches for the first time since April 15th and 22nd.
- New signee Jonathan Glenn started tonight’s match on the bench, the forward entered the match in the 46th minute to make his official debut.
- Matt Fondy tallied his fifth goal of the season and second in as many league matches.
Box Score
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Jonathan Glenn, 46’), Austin Da Luz (Tiyi Shipalane, 82’), James Marcelin, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Jose Carranza; Matt Fondy (Dre Fortune, 90’+)
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Bolu Akinyode, Marcel Kandziora, Brad Ruhaak,
PRFC: Trevor Spangenberg; Rudy Dawson, Seth Moses, Phanuel Kavita; Jairo Puerto, Walter Ramirez, Jordi Quintilla (Michael Kafari, 68’), Yuma ©; Conor Doyle (Sidney Rivera, 90’+), Giuseppe Gentile (Kyle Culbertson, 80’), Hector Ramirez
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Emery Welshman, Ramon Soria,
Score:
NCFC: 1
PRFC: 1
Goals:
NCFC: Matt Fondy (90’+, PK)
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla (13’, Yuma)
Cautions:
NCFC: Austin Da Luz 4’
PRFC: Jordi Quintilla 34’, Walter Ramirez 48’, Trevor Spangenberg 72’, Phanuel Kavita 76’, Michael Kafari 84’, Jairo Puerto 90’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
PRFC: Marco Velez
Attendance: 4,166
