BROOKLYN (Sep. 23, 2017) – North Carolina FC emerged victorious and earned a huge three points in the race to qualify for the 2017 NASL playoffs with a 2-0 win over the New York Cosmos on Saturday night at MCU Park.
The victory keeps NCFC at third place in the combined standings and moves the side three points ahead of the New York Cosmos and Jacksonville Armada FC with 36 points.
NCFC is playing some of its best soccer near the end of the season. The side has earned two shutouts in its last three matches and has earned six points from its last three road matches.
The visitors wasted no time to get on the board, as Renan Gorne slotted home the opening goal in the 12thminute. Austin da Luz played a perfect cross from the left flank to an unmarked Gorne who was in acres of space in the Cosmos attacking half. Gorne took a touch and made no mistake on the finish to beat the goalkeeper for his third goal of the year.
The NCFC defense limited the New York Cosmos in the attack. The Cosmos only placed one shot on goal during the first half, which Brian Sylvestre covered with a diving save in the 36th minute.
NCFC doubled its lead in stoppage time of the first half, as a quick attack caught the Cosmos off guard in the final third. Nazmi Albadawi got free on the right flank and sent a pass across the face of goal. Da Luz found the end of the cross and fired a strike into the open net from close range for his first goal of the season.
The teams played out a tame second half, where only one shot was placed on target for either team. Sylvestre was there to make a big save in 77th minute to deny a deflected shot from Emmanuel Ledesma. The save proved to be the only attack that would threaten the goal for the Cosmos, as NCFC left with its first away win at New York since a 1-0 victory on Aug. 2, 2014.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will return home to take on the Indy Eleven on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.
Notes:
- Renan Gorne scored his third goal of the season with a strike assisted by Austin da Luz in the 12th minute.
- Da Luz scored his first goal of the season with a goal off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi in stoppage time of the first half.
- The club earned its first victory in 10 matches against New York and its first away win in the series since a 1-0 victory on Aug. 2, 2014.
- With the loss tonight, New York has failed to win its last five matches at home – the longest home winless streak in club history.
- NCFC has now earned three shutouts in its last four matches, including two shutout victories on the road.
Box Score
Lineups
NYC: Brian Holt; James Mulligan, Carlos Medes, Dejan Jakovic, Ayoze, Juan Guerra, Andrew Flores (Eric Calvillo, 67’), Javi Marquez (Emmanuel Ledesma, 56’), Eugene Starikov, Pablo Vranjican (Irvin Herrera 76’), Bljedi Bardic
Subs not used: Kobi Moyal, Jimmy Maurer, David Ochieng, Ryan Richter
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black (James Marcelin, 42’), Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Kareem Moses; Austin da Luz, Dre Fortune (Bolu Akinyode, 64’), Marcel Kandziora (Billy Schuler, 86’), Nazmi Albadawi (C), Steven Miller; Renan Gorne
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Tiyi Shipalane, Lance Laing, Jonathan Glenn
Score:
NYC: 0
NCFC: 2
Goals:
NYC: —
NCFC: Gorne (da Luz 12’) da Luz (Albadawi 45+)
Cautions:
NYC: Mendes 37’, Jakovic 89’
NCFC: Albadawi 35’
Ejections:
NYC: —
NCFC: —
Attendance: 4,666
BROOKLYN (Sep. 23, 2017) – North Carolina FC emerged victorious and earned a huge three points in the race to qualify for the 2017 NASL playoffs with a 2-0 win over the New York Cosmos on Saturday night at MCU Park.
The victory keeps NCFC at third place in the combined standings and moves the side three points ahead of the New York Cosmos and Jacksonville Armada FC with 36 points.
NCFC is playing some of its best soccer near the end of the season. The side has earned two shutouts in its last three matches and has earned six points from its last three road matches.
The visitors wasted no time to get on the board, as Renan Gorne slotted home the opening goal in the 12thminute. Austin da Luz played a perfect cross from the left flank to an unmarked Gorne who was in acres of space in the Cosmos attacking half. Gorne took a touch and made no mistake on the finish to beat the goalkeeper for his third goal of the year.
The NCFC defense limited the New York Cosmos in the attack. The Cosmos only placed one shot on goal during the first half, which Brian Sylvestre covered with a diving save in the 36th minute.
NCFC doubled its lead in stoppage time of the first half, as a quick attack caught the Cosmos off guard in the final third. Nazmi Albadawi got free on the right flank and sent a pass across the face of goal. Da Luz found the end of the cross and fired a strike into the open net from close range for his first goal of the season.
The teams played out a tame second half, where only one shot was placed on target for either team. Sylvestre was there to make a big save in 77th minute to deny a deflected shot from Emmanuel Ledesma. The save proved to be the only attack that would threaten the goal for the Cosmos, as NCFC left with its first away win at New York since a 1-0 victory on Aug. 2, 2014.
Coming Up Next:
North Carolina FC will return home to take on the Indy Eleven on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.
Notes:
- Renan Gorne scored his third goal of the season with a strike assisted by Austin da Luz in the 12th minute.
- Da Luz scored his first goal of the season with a goal off an assist from Nazmi Albadawi in stoppage time of the first half.
- The club earned its first victory in 10 matches against New York and its first away win in the series since a 1-0 victory on Aug. 2, 2014.
- With the loss tonight, New York has failed to win its last five matches at home – the longest home winless streak in club history.
- NCFC has now earned three shutouts in its last four matches, including two shutout victories on the road.
Box Score
Lineups
NYC: Brian Holt; James Mulligan, Carlos Medes, Dejan Jakovic, Ayoze, Juan Guerra, Andrew Flores (Eric Calvillo, 67’), Javi Marquez (Emmanuel Ledesma, 56’), Eugene Starikov, Pablo Vranjican (Irvin Herrera 76’), Bljedi Bardic
Subs not used: Kobi Moyal, Jimmy Maurer, David Ochieng, Ryan Richter
NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black (James Marcelin, 42’), Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Kareem Moses; Austin da Luz, Dre Fortune (Bolu Akinyode, 64’), Marcel Kandziora (Billy Schuler, 86’), Nazmi Albadawi (C), Steven Miller; Renan Gorne
Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Tiyi Shipalane, Lance Laing, Jonathan Glenn
Score:
NYC: 0
NCFC: 2
Goals:
NYC: —
NCFC: Gorne (da Luz 12’) da Luz (Albadawi 45+)
Cautions:
NYC: Mendes 37’, Jakovic 89’
NCFC: Albadawi 35’
Ejections:
NYC: —
NCFC: —
Attendance: 4,666
