BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 13, 2019) – North Carolina FC saw its eight-game unbeaten streak in USL Championship play come to a close Saturday night with a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham Legion FC.
The loss was NCFC’s first in league play since May 12, and NCFC is now 8W-3L-7D (31 points) on the season. Despite the result, head coach Dave Sarachan’s team remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
After doing well to weather a strong push from Birmingham at the beginning of the match, NCFC nearly opened the scoring in the 26th minute through midfielder Steven Miller. Miller, who is second on the team with five goals this season, took a well-hit shot from the left side of the box that forced Birmingham goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel into an uncomfortable save.
NCFC maintained the offensive pressure, and Miller set up midfielder Ben Speas for a good scoring opportunity in the 38th minute. From a tight angle, Speas saw his deflected effort glance off the crossbar, narrowly missing out on the game’s opening goal.
Nothing separated the two teams after a scoreless first half, and a great save by NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis on Birmingham midfielder Prosper Kasim in the 58th minute kept it that way.
NCFC earned the better of the chances for a large portion of the second half, including a golden opportunity in the 77th minute. Out on the right flank, Miller played in a cross that second-half substitute Robert Kristo headed on target, but his shot was saved by Van Oekel, who reacted quickly.
Not long after, Birmingham scored the game’s only goal in the 79th minute on a shot from substitute Brian Wright.
Despite a push near the end, NCFC couldn’t find an equalizer.
Notes
– NCFC rookie defender Timmy Mehl made his debut appearance in USL Championship play, starting at right back and playing 70 minutes.
– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was central to Saturday’s game, as NCFC Academy products Dre Fortune and Caleb Duvernay were named in the starting lineup. Former NCFC U23 product Nazmi Albadawi was also featured on the bench.
– Nazmi Albadawi, Robert Kristo and Austin da Luz each appeared as second-half substitutes.
– Steven Miller, Donovan Ewolo and Robert Kristo each had a shot on target.
Looking Ahead
NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on Loudoun United on Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. The match will be the first between the two teams, as Loudoun United is currently in its first-ever season. For tickets and information please visit www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
Box Score
BHM (4-3-1-2): Matt Van Oekel ©; Kyle Cuthbertson, Mathieu Laurent, Kyler Fisher, Femi Hollinger-Janzen; Daniel Johnson, Daigo Kobayashi (Edward Opoku, 84’) Zachary Herivaux; Prosper Kasim (Mikey Lopez, 73’); Chandler Hoffman (Brian Wright, 20’), J.J. Williams
Subs not used: Trevor Spangenberg, Marcel Appiah, Eric Avila, Razak Cromwell
NCFC (4-2-3-1): Alex Tambakis; Caleb Duvernay, Sam Brotherton, Aaron Guillen, Timmy Mehl (Robert Kristo, 70’); Graham Smith, Dre Fortune (Austin da Luz, 81’); Steven Miller ©, Ben Speas, Yamikani Chester (Nazmi Albadawi, 61’); Donovan Ewolo
Subs not used: Austin Panchot, Victor Igbekoyi, Darrin MacLeod
Score:
BHM: 1
NCFC: 0
Goals:
BHM: Brian Wright (Daigo Kobayashi, 79’)
NCFC: —
Cautions:
BHM: J.J. Williams, 45+1’; Brian Wirght, 90+4’
NCFC: Yamikani Chester, 52’; Dre Fortune, 54’
Ejections:
BHM: —
NCFC: —
Attendance: 4,277
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (July 13, 2019) – North Carolina FC saw its eight-game unbeaten streak in USL Championship play come to a close Saturday night with a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham Legion FC.
The loss was NCFC’s first in league play since May 12, and NCFC is now 8W-3L-7D (31 points) on the season. Despite the result, head coach Dave Sarachan’s team remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
After doing well to weather a strong push from Birmingham at the beginning of the match, NCFC nearly opened the scoring in the 26th minute through midfielder Steven Miller. Miller, who is second on the team with five goals this season, took a well-hit shot from the left side of the box that forced Birmingham goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel into an uncomfortable save.
NCFC maintained the offensive pressure, and Miller set up midfielder Ben Speas for a good scoring opportunity in the 38th minute. From a tight angle, Speas saw his deflected effort glance off the crossbar, narrowly missing out on the game’s opening goal.
Nothing separated the two teams after a scoreless first half, and a great save by NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis on Birmingham midfielder Prosper Kasim in the 58th minute kept it that way.
NCFC earned the better of the chances for a large portion of the second half, including a golden opportunity in the 77th minute. Out on the right flank, Miller played in a cross that second-half substitute Robert Kristo headed on target, but his shot was saved by Van Oekel, who reacted quickly.
Not long after, Birmingham scored the game’s only goal in the 79th minute on a shot from substitute Brian Wright.
Despite a push near the end, NCFC couldn’t find an equalizer.
Notes
– NCFC rookie defender Timmy Mehl made his debut appearance in USL Championship play, starting at right back and playing 70 minutes.
– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was central to Saturday’s game, as NCFC Academy products Dre Fortune and Caleb Duvernay were named in the starting lineup. Former NCFC U23 product Nazmi Albadawi was also featured on the bench.
– Nazmi Albadawi, Robert Kristo and Austin da Luz each appeared as second-half substitutes.
– Steven Miller, Donovan Ewolo and Robert Kristo each had a shot on target.
Looking Ahead
NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on Loudoun United on Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m. The match will be the first between the two teams, as Loudoun United is currently in its first-ever season. For tickets and information please visit www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
Box Score
BHM (4-3-1-2): Matt Van Oekel ©; Kyle Cuthbertson, Mathieu Laurent, Kyler Fisher, Femi Hollinger-Janzen; Daniel Johnson, Daigo Kobayashi (Edward Opoku, 84’) Zachary Herivaux; Prosper Kasim (Mikey Lopez, 73’); Chandler Hoffman (Brian Wright, 20’), J.J. Williams
Subs not used: Trevor Spangenberg, Marcel Appiah, Eric Avila, Razak Cromwell
NCFC (4-2-3-1): Alex Tambakis; Caleb Duvernay, Sam Brotherton, Aaron Guillen, Timmy Mehl (Robert Kristo, 70’); Graham Smith, Dre Fortune (Austin da Luz, 81’); Steven Miller ©, Ben Speas, Yamikani Chester (Nazmi Albadawi, 61’); Donovan Ewolo
Subs not used: Austin Panchot, Victor Igbekoyi, Darrin MacLeod
Score:
BHM: 1
NCFC: 0
Goals:
BHM: Brian Wright (Daigo Kobayashi, 79’)
NCFC: —
Cautions:
BHM: J.J. Williams, 45+1’; Brian Wirght, 90+4’
NCFC: Yamikani Chester, 52’; Dre Fortune, 54’
Ejections:
BHM: —
NCFC: —
Attendance: 4,277
