CARY, N.C. (Aug. 12, 2017) – North Carolina FC fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to remain on top of the NASL Fall Season Table.
NCFC is now undefeated during its last five matches and remains on top of the NASL Fall Season standings for the second-straight week.
“If you take away the first 10 minutes, we were exceptionally good,” said NCFC Head Coach Colin Clarke. “But, you can’t to do that, so we’re still answerable for those poor goals we gave up at the beginning. The reaction after [Jacksonville’s] early goals was very good with our play and passing. With a little bit more luck and some better finishing, we could have gotten all three points.”
NCFC entered the match with plenty of momentum from its previous matches, but the energy wouldn’t hold up, as Jacksonville jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
Tony Taylor struck early for Jacksonville, catching North Carolina FC by surprise in the third minute. Taylor found space on the right flank and sent his shot past Sylvestre for the opening goal after Zach Steinberger played the forward in.
The Armada took advantage of another early chance and doubled its lead after Jack Blake converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute.
Despite the lead, North Carolina FC looked the better side, and the team dominated time of possession to a halftime advantage of 56.2-43.8 percent, outshooting the Armada 6-3 at the break.
NCFC would be awarded for its attacking prowess, as Dre Fortune scored just his second career goal for the club with a beautiful curler to the top right corner in the 44th minute.
Following the break, North Carolina FC’s attacking play continued. NCFC broke through to level the match in the 69th minute when Lance Laing was in the right place at the right time for his seventh league goal of the year.
Fortune once again sparked the play, as his powerful shot forced Jacksonville goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell to push Fortune’s shot off the crossbar. The rebound landed at the feet of Laing who converted the chance for the equalizer.
Despite several chances in the final stages of the match, NCFC settled for a draw.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will face a short turnaround with a match against Miami FC on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.
Notes:
- Dre Fortune scored his second career goal for the club with a strike in the 44th minute
- Lance Laing scored an equalizer in the 69th minute for his seventh league goal of the season
- D.J. Taylor earned his first official start for the club and played 66 minutes
- Renan Gorne appeared on the bench for the first time, but did not get into the match
- Three Raleigh natives started for NCFC including captain Nazmi Albadawi and NCFC Youth Academy products Fortune and Taylor
- NCFC extended its unbeaten record against Jacksonville at home to 3W-2D-0L
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; D.J. Taylor (Kareem Moses, 65’), Brad Ruhaak, Connor Tobin, Paul Black; Tiyi Shipalane, Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin, Dre Fortune, Lance Laing (Alex Molano, 83’); Matt Fondy (Billy Schuler, 56’)
Subs not used: Mack Robinson, Renan Gorne, Bolu Akinyode, Danny Barrow
JAX: Caleb Patterson-Sewell; Devon Fisher (Drew Beckie, 75’), Mechack Jerom, Aaron Pitchkolan ©, Kalen Ryden; Jack Blake, Kevan George; J.C. Banks (Charles Eloundou, 67’), Zach Steinberger, Brian Shriver (Derek Gebhard, 69’); Tony Taylor
Subs not used: Kyle Nasta, Jemal Johnson, Michael O’ Sullivan, Bryam Rebellom
Score:
NCFC: 2
JAX: 2
Goals:
NCFC: Dre Fortune (James Marcelin, 44'), Lance Laing (Unassisted, 69’)
JAX: Tony Taylor (Zach Steinberger, 3’), Jack Blake (PK, 18’)
Cautions:
NCFC: Dre Fortune 26’,
JAX: Kevan George 18’ J.C. Banks 86’, Jack Blake 90’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
JAX: —
Attendance: 4,272
CARY, N.C. (Aug. 12, 2017) – North Carolina FC fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to remain on top of the NASL Fall Season Table.
NCFC is now undefeated during its last five matches and remains on top of the NASL Fall Season standings for the second-straight week.
“If you take away the first 10 minutes, we were exceptionally good,” said NCFC Head Coach Colin Clarke. “But, you can’t to do that, so we’re still answerable for those poor goals we gave up at the beginning. The reaction after [Jacksonville’s] early goals was very good with our play and passing. With a little bit more luck and some better finishing, we could have gotten all three points.”
NCFC entered the match with plenty of momentum from its previous matches, but the energy wouldn’t hold up, as Jacksonville jumped out to an early 2-0 lead.
Tony Taylor struck early for Jacksonville, catching North Carolina FC by surprise in the third minute. Taylor found space on the right flank and sent his shot past Sylvestre for the opening goal after Zach Steinberger played the forward in.
The Armada took advantage of another early chance and doubled its lead after Jack Blake converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute.
Despite the lead, North Carolina FC looked the better side, and the team dominated time of possession to a halftime advantage of 56.2-43.8 percent, outshooting the Armada 6-3 at the break.
NCFC would be awarded for its attacking prowess, as Dre Fortune scored just his second career goal for the club with a beautiful curler to the top right corner in the 44th minute.
Following the break, North Carolina FC’s attacking play continued. NCFC broke through to level the match in the 69th minute when Lance Laing was in the right place at the right time for his seventh league goal of the year.
Fortune once again sparked the play, as his powerful shot forced Jacksonville goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell to push Fortune’s shot off the crossbar. The rebound landed at the feet of Laing who converted the chance for the equalizer.
Despite several chances in the final stages of the match, NCFC settled for a draw.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will face a short turnaround with a match against Miami FC on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.
Notes:
- Dre Fortune scored his second career goal for the club with a strike in the 44th minute
- Lance Laing scored an equalizer in the 69th minute for his seventh league goal of the season
- D.J. Taylor earned his first official start for the club and played 66 minutes
- Renan Gorne appeared on the bench for the first time, but did not get into the match
- Three Raleigh natives started for NCFC including captain Nazmi Albadawi and NCFC Youth Academy products Fortune and Taylor
- NCFC extended its unbeaten record against Jacksonville at home to 3W-2D-0L
Lineups
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; D.J. Taylor (Kareem Moses, 65’), Brad Ruhaak, Connor Tobin, Paul Black; Tiyi Shipalane, Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin, Dre Fortune, Lance Laing (Alex Molano, 83’); Matt Fondy (Billy Schuler, 56’)
Subs not used: Mack Robinson, Renan Gorne, Bolu Akinyode, Danny Barrow
JAX: Caleb Patterson-Sewell; Devon Fisher (Drew Beckie, 75’), Mechack Jerom, Aaron Pitchkolan ©, Kalen Ryden; Jack Blake, Kevan George; J.C. Banks (Charles Eloundou, 67’), Zach Steinberger, Brian Shriver (Derek Gebhard, 69’); Tony Taylor
Subs not used: Kyle Nasta, Jemal Johnson, Michael O’ Sullivan, Bryam Rebellom
Score:
NCFC: 2
JAX: 2
Goals:
NCFC: Dre Fortune (James Marcelin, 44′), Lance Laing (Unassisted, 69’)
JAX: Tony Taylor (Zach Steinberger, 3’), Jack Blake (PK, 18’)
Cautions:
NCFC: Dre Fortune 26’,
JAX: Kevan George 18’ J.C. Banks 86’, Jack Blake 90’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
JAX: —
Attendance: 4,272
