CARY, N.C. (July 6, 2018) – North Carolina FC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to face the Charleston Battery on Saturday, July 7 at 7 p.m. The meeting between the two clubs presents an opportunity to renew a soccer rivalry in the Carolinas that has been around since the early 1990s.
The Battery, one of the oldest soccer clubs in the United States, faced off with the Raleigh Flyers from 1993-2000 and have officially played against NCFC from 2007-2010. After the teams changed leagues, the rivalry has been stoked through regular preseason meetings between the sides. In total, Raleigh-based soccer clubs have gone 18W-12L-2D against the Battery in league play and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches since 1993. The last official meeting between the two teams took place in a 2010 U.S. Open Cup match, with the Battery coming away with a 2-1 victory.
Charleston are coming off a decisive 4-0 victory in the team’s last match against Toronto FC II. The Battery are in the thick of the playoff race with 25 points on the season, currently placing the team in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Charleston have excelled at earning positive results with points from 12 of their last 13 matches.
The visitors will field an organized team that has strengths across the field. The defense is tied for the fifth-fewest goals conceded with 16. In addition to the strong backline, Charleston converts a high percentage of their chances on the attack. The team’s 18-percent conversion rate is tied for fourth-best in the USL. The dangerous attack is led by midfielder Atualla Guerra, who has scored a team-high eight goals.
NCFC comes into the match following a two-game road trip. The team will look to re-establish its recent momentum in an important game against a strong opponent in the Charleston Battery. The side has fared well at home in recent weeks, earning a big 4-2 victory over Ottawa Fury FC and a 2-2 draw against Louisville City FC in its last two home matches.
Last Time Out:
NCFC fell on the road against USL Eastern Conference contender Pittsburgh Riverhounds on July 4. Following a 173-minute weather delay, Pittsburgh scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory for the home team.
Players to Watch:
No. 10 Atualla Guerra
Guerra, in his third season with the Battery, leads the team with eight goals and two assists in 2018. This has been Guerra’s most productive season for Charleston as he has already surpassed his goal total for 2017 in just 15 appearances. He also has 40 caps for the national team of Trinidad and Tobago. Slowing down Guerra will be important for the NCFC backline.
No. 1 Alex Tambakis
Tambakis is in his first season with NCFC following a two-year stint in Charleston, where he made 29 appearances for the club on loan. The goalkeeper has started in every USL match for NCFC and has four clean sheets on the season. He continues to rank atop the Eastern Conference with 51 saves.
Coming Up Next:
NCFC goes on the road to take on Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday, July 14 at 5 p.m. The team will return home to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, July 21 at 7 p.m. for Kicks 4 Kids Night. Tickets are available online, over the phone at 919-459-8144 or in person at the Coastal Credit Union Box Office.
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CARY, N.C. (July 6, 2018) – North Carolina FC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to face the Charleston Battery on Saturday, July 7 at 7 p.m. The meeting between the two clubs presents an opportunity to renew a soccer rivalry in the Carolinas that has been around since the early 1990s.
The Battery, one of the oldest soccer clubs in the United States, faced off with the Raleigh Flyers from 1993-2000 and have officially played against NCFC from 2007-2010. After the teams changed leagues, the rivalry has been stoked through regular preseason meetings between the sides. In total, Raleigh-based soccer clubs have gone 18W-12L-2D against the Battery in league play and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches since 1993. The last official meeting between the two teams took place in a 2010 U.S. Open Cup match, with the Battery coming away with a 2-1 victory.
Charleston are coming off a decisive 4-0 victory in the team’s last match against Toronto FC II. The Battery are in the thick of the playoff race with 25 points on the season, currently placing the team in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Charleston have excelled at earning positive results with points from 12 of their last 13 matches.
The visitors will field an organized team that has strengths across the field. The defense is tied for the fifth-fewest goals conceded with 16. In addition to the strong backline, Charleston converts a high percentage of their chances on the attack. The team’s 18-percent conversion rate is tied for fourth-best in the USL. The dangerous attack is led by midfielder Atualla Guerra, who has scored a team-high eight goals.
NCFC comes into the match following a two-game road trip. The team will look to re-establish its recent momentum in an important game against a strong opponent in the Charleston Battery. The side has fared well at home in recent weeks, earning a big 4-2 victory over Ottawa Fury FC and a 2-2 draw against Louisville City FC in its last two home matches.
Last Time Out:
NCFC fell on the road against USL Eastern Conference contender Pittsburgh Riverhounds on July 4. Following a 173-minute weather delay, Pittsburgh scored a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory for the home team.
Players to Watch:
No. 10 Atualla Guerra
Guerra, in his third season with the Battery, leads the team with eight goals and two assists in 2018. This has been Guerra’s most productive season for Charleston as he has already surpassed his goal total for 2017 in just 15 appearances. He also has 40 caps for the national team of Trinidad and Tobago. Slowing down Guerra will be important for the NCFC backline.
No. 1 Alex Tambakis
Tambakis is in his first season with NCFC following a two-year stint in Charleston, where he made 29 appearances for the club on loan. The goalkeeper has started in every USL match for NCFC and has four clean sheets on the season. He continues to rank atop the Eastern Conference with 51 saves.
Coming Up Next:
NCFC goes on the road to take on Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday, July 14 at 5 p.m. The team will return home to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, July 21 at 7 p.m. for Kicks 4 Kids Night. Tickets are available online, over the phone at 919-459-8144 or in person at the Coastal Credit Union Box Office.
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