Matchday Info:
North Carolina FC vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, March 30 – 7 p.m.
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park
Braodcast:
ESPN+: es.pn/2U2KWGL
CARY, N.C. (March 28, 2019) – Another exciting chapter in Raleigh’s soccer history will be written on Saturday, March 23 when Charleston Battery faces North Carolina FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. Professional soccer teams from the Triangle area have faced off against Charleston since the early 1990s. In the upcoming match, the two undefeated teams will meet for a Southern Derby Cup contest.
The Southern Derby Cup is a supporter-led competition between North Carolina FC, Charleston Battery and Charlotte Independence. Regular-season results between the three teams determine the annual winner of the Cup. This season’s balanced USL Championship schedule allows every game between the regional rivals to count as a Southern Derby Cup match. North Carolina FC is the defending champion of the competition and has won every year it’s been involved.
North Carolina FC is riding a wave a confidence, coming off three-straight wins, including a 2-1 international exhibition victory over Liga MX side Club Necaxa last weekend. The home side is third in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings with six points from two games, taking down Louisville City FC 4-1 and Bethlehem Steel FC 1-0. The only teams in front of NCFC have seven points from three games. Charleston Battery sits just under North Carolina FC with four points from two games.
Despite positioning in the table and current form, Charleston always presents a difficult test. NCFC has picked up preseason wins over the Battery in recent history, but the team has struggled in regular seasons matches against the regional rival. North Carolina FC’s last regular-season win over Charleston dates to 2009. Last year, the teams meet three times, but Charleston earned a victory and two draws from the contests.
While still early in the season, North Carolina FC is already flipping the script. Three weeks since the season opener, NCFC has first-ever wins against Louisville City FC and Bethlehem Steel FC and has defeated a professional team from Mexico for the first time since 2014.
Players To Watch:
North Carolina FC – No. 9 Marios Lomis
As team records continue to be broken, look for starting striker Marios Lomis to continue scoring goals. Lomis leads the team with two goals in two games and his physical play has helped control opposing defenses.
Charleston Battery – No. 10 Ataulla Guerra
Last year, Guerra accounted for 15 goals, more than double of the team’s second-leading goal scorer. He hasn’t played yet in 2019, but if the forward finds his way on the field, NCFC will need to focus on the elite goal scorer.
Up Next:
The season continues with another home match. North Carolina FC will face expansion side Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online now or over the phone by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
###
Matchday Info:
North Carolina FC vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, March 30 – 7 p.m.
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park
Braodcast:
ESPN+: es.pn/2U2KWGL
CARY, N.C. (March 28, 2019) – Another exciting chapter in Raleigh’s soccer history will be written on Saturday, March 23 when Charleston Battery faces North Carolina FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. Professional soccer teams from the Triangle area have faced off against Charleston since the early 1990s. In the upcoming match, the two undefeated teams will meet for a Southern Derby Cup contest.
The Southern Derby Cup is a supporter-led competition between North Carolina FC, Charleston Battery and Charlotte Independence. Regular-season results between the three teams determine the annual winner of the Cup. This season’s balanced USL Championship schedule allows every game between the regional rivals to count as a Southern Derby Cup match. North Carolina FC is the defending champion of the competition and has won every year it’s been involved.
North Carolina FC is riding a wave a confidence, coming off three-straight wins, including a 2-1 international exhibition victory over Liga MX side Club Necaxa last weekend. The home side is third in the USL Championship Eastern Conference standings with six points from two games, taking down Louisville City FC 4-1 and Bethlehem Steel FC 1-0. The only teams in front of NCFC have seven points from three games. Charleston Battery sits just under North Carolina FC with four points from two games.
Despite positioning in the table and current form, Charleston always presents a difficult test. NCFC has picked up preseason wins over the Battery in recent history, but the team has struggled in regular seasons matches against the regional rival. North Carolina FC’s last regular-season win over Charleston dates to 2009. Last year, the teams meet three times, but Charleston earned a victory and two draws from the contests.
While still early in the season, North Carolina FC is already flipping the script. Three weeks since the season opener, NCFC has first-ever wins against Louisville City FC and Bethlehem Steel FC and has defeated a professional team from Mexico for the first time since 2014.
Players To Watch:
North Carolina FC – No. 9 Marios Lomis
As team records continue to be broken, look for starting striker Marios Lomis to continue scoring goals. Lomis leads the team with two goals in two games and his physical play has helped control opposing defenses.
Charleston Battery – No. 10 Ataulla Guerra
Last year, Guerra accounted for 15 goals, more than double of the team’s second-leading goal scorer. He hasn’t played yet in 2019, but if the forward finds his way on the field, NCFC will need to focus on the elite goal scorer.
Up Next:
The season continues with another home match. North Carolina FC will face expansion side Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online now or over the phone by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
###
