MATCHDAY INFO:
LOUDOUN UNITED VS. NORTH CAROLINA FC
SEGRA FIELD
SATURDAY, AUG. 31 – 7:30 PM ET
WATCH: ESPN+
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #LDNvNC
Cary, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2019) – North Carolina FC closes out what has been a successful August on Saturday, as it travels to face Loudoun United at 7:30 p.m. ET at Segra Field in Leesburg, Va.
NCFC, which has won three games in August, is a victory away from its first four-win month since April 2016. Head coach Dave Sarachan’s team holds fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a 13W-6L-7D record (46 points) and is attempting to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 loss at Louisville City FC last weekend.
Saturday’s meeting is the second between the two teams this season, as NCFC defeated Loudoun 3-0 in Cary on July 17 behind a brace from midfielder Yamikani Chester and a goal by forward Robbie Kristo.
Loudoun, coached by Ryan Martin, is coming off a 1-1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday. Winless in its last seven matches, Loudoun (5W-12L-6D) finds itself in 15th place in the Eastern Conference in its first-ever season. However, Loudoun has taken points in two of its first four home matches at the recently opened Segra Field, which hosted its inaugural game on Aug. 9.
NCFC, which has five road victories on the season, could match last season’s away win total with three points on Saturday. To do so, NCFC will need to add on to its 47 goals on the season, the second-most in the Eastern Conference. Midfielder Steven Miller, who was recently named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the third time this season, leads the team in both goals (nine) and assists (seven). Not far behind Miller are midfielder Dre Fortune and forward Donovan Ewolo, who each have found the back of the net seven times.
Defensively, NCFC has relied on goalkeepers Alex Tambakis and Darrin MacLeod to limit opponents to 0.92 goals per match. Between Tambakis and MacLeod, NCFC has recorded eight shutouts. Paced by forward Kyle Murphy (six goals), Loudoun is averaging 1.26 goals per match.
Last Time Out
Playing its third game in seven days, NCFC dropped a 1-0 result on the road at Louisville City FC last Saturday. The narrow defeat snapped NCFC’s three-match winning streak, its longest of the season. Despite a solid defensive performance in what was goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod’s fourth start of the year, Louisville City’s 55th-minute goal from Magnus Rasmussen proved to be the difference maker.
Offensively, NCFC had several good scoring chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the 32nd minute, forward Donovan Ewolo appeared to score the game’s first goal, but the Cameroonian striker was ruled offside. Even after going behind, NCFC earned good scoring opportunities through midfielder Steven Miller in the 69th minute and forward Justin Rennicks in the 89th, as his shot ricocheted off the far post.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #6 Austin da Luz
The NCFC captain, who has battled through injuries in 2019, made his first start in four months last time out against Louisville City FC, playing the full 90. When at full strength, da Luz can be a force in the NCFC midfield with his ability to set up other teammates and score himself.
Loudoun United– #9 Kyle Murphy
Murphy captained Loudoun United and scored in his team’s 1-1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday. With six goals on the year, the former San Antonio FC man leads Loudoun in scoring and is one goal from matching his career high. The NCFC defense will understandably keep a close eye on Murphy on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
NCFC returns home to host Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7:00 p.m. ET. NCFC defeated Bethlehem 1-0 on the road in March in the first meeting between the two teams this season. For tickets and information please visit www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
MATCHDAY INFO:
LOUDOUN UNITED VS. NORTH CAROLINA FC
SEGRA FIELD
SATURDAY, AUG. 31 – 7:30 PM ET
WATCH: ESPN+
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #LDNvNC
Cary, N.C. (Aug. 30, 2019) – North Carolina FC closes out what has been a successful August on Saturday, as it travels to face Loudoun United at 7:30 p.m. ET at Segra Field in Leesburg, Va.
NCFC, which has won three games in August, is a victory away from its first four-win month since April 2016. Head coach Dave Sarachan’s team holds fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference with a 13W-6L-7D record (46 points) and is attempting to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 loss at Louisville City FC last weekend.
Saturday’s meeting is the second between the two teams this season, as NCFC defeated Loudoun 3-0 in Cary on July 17 behind a brace from midfielder Yamikani Chester and a goal by forward Robbie Kristo.
Loudoun, coached by Ryan Martin, is coming off a 1-1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday. Winless in its last seven matches, Loudoun (5W-12L-6D) finds itself in 15th place in the Eastern Conference in its first-ever season. However, Loudoun has taken points in two of its first four home matches at the recently opened Segra Field, which hosted its inaugural game on Aug. 9.
NCFC, which has five road victories on the season, could match last season’s away win total with three points on Saturday. To do so, NCFC will need to add on to its 47 goals on the season, the second-most in the Eastern Conference. Midfielder Steven Miller, who was recently named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the third time this season, leads the team in both goals (nine) and assists (seven). Not far behind Miller are midfielder Dre Fortune and forward Donovan Ewolo, who each have found the back of the net seven times.
Defensively, NCFC has relied on goalkeepers Alex Tambakis and Darrin MacLeod to limit opponents to 0.92 goals per match. Between Tambakis and MacLeod, NCFC has recorded eight shutouts. Paced by forward Kyle Murphy (six goals), Loudoun is averaging 1.26 goals per match.
Last Time Out
Playing its third game in seven days, NCFC dropped a 1-0 result on the road at Louisville City FC last Saturday. The narrow defeat snapped NCFC’s three-match winning streak, its longest of the season. Despite a solid defensive performance in what was goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod’s fourth start of the year, Louisville City’s 55th-minute goal from Magnus Rasmussen proved to be the difference maker.
Offensively, NCFC had several good scoring chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. In the 32nd minute, forward Donovan Ewolo appeared to score the game’s first goal, but the Cameroonian striker was ruled offside. Even after going behind, NCFC earned good scoring opportunities through midfielder Steven Miller in the 69th minute and forward Justin Rennicks in the 89th, as his shot ricocheted off the far post.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #6 Austin da Luz
The NCFC captain, who has battled through injuries in 2019, made his first start in four months last time out against Louisville City FC, playing the full 90. When at full strength, da Luz can be a force in the NCFC midfield with his ability to set up other teammates and score himself.
Loudoun United– #9 Kyle Murphy
Murphy captained Loudoun United and scored in his team’s 1-1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday. With six goals on the year, the former San Antonio FC man leads Loudoun in scoring and is one goal from matching his career high. The NCFC defense will understandably keep a close eye on Murphy on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
NCFC returns home to host Bethlehem Steel FC on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7:00 p.m. ET. NCFC defeated Bethlehem 1-0 on the road in March in the first meeting between the two teams this season. For tickets and information please visit www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
