Cary, NC (August 13, 2020)- North Carolina FC sits in second place in Group G going into Saturday’s match against Birmingham Legion FC at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:00 p.m. NCFC looks to keep their two-game win streak alive as they continue in their 16-game season. The top two teams in each group of the USL will make it to the USL playoffs.
Most recently, North Carolina FC defeated Memphis 901 FC in the team’s first road win of the season. Akeem Ward scored the only goal in the 1-0 win. The goal was Ward’s first of his professional career and earned him a spot on the USL Team of the Week. Alex Tambakis secured his second clean sheet of the season and recorded five saves. The goalkeeper was named to the USL Team of the Week bench.
Dave Sarachan’s team is undefeated since they restarted the season on July 17. The last time around against Birmingham Legion FC, Dre Fortune scored to secure the NCFC win. An early red card given to Legion FC player Boluwatife Akinyode played a big difference in the match as Birmingham played a man down for just under 60 minutes.
“Birmingham certainly has a good sense of what we are about, and we have a good sense about what they are about,” said Sarachan. “We are playing against a good team that will be prepared to play and we have to be on our best to get the points we feel we can get at home.”
Birmingham Legion FC has played three matches since facing NCFC on August 1, earning seven points in the process. Legion FC has played three more games than NCFC since the restart. Most recently the team pulled off a comeback draw when Mikey Lopez scored an equalizer goal in the third minute of stoppage time against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday.
Players to Watch Presented by Aetna
North Carolina FC- #1 Alex Tambakis
Tambakis doubled his season save count last match against Memphis 901 FC. The goalkeeper has two clean sheets, including one against Birmingham Legion FC. He will look for his third-consecutive clean sheet this match.
Birmingham Legion FC- #8 Bruno Lapa
Lapa is familiar with the area having played collegiately at Wake Forest from 2016-2019. The Brazilian has taken more shots than any of his teammates, scoring four goals so far in 2020. He also has two assists, proving to be a dangerous attacking playmaker.
Cary, NC (August 13, 2020)- North Carolina FC sits in second place in Group G going into Saturday’s match against Birmingham Legion FC at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7:00 p.m. NCFC looks to keep their two-game win streak alive as they continue in their 16-game season. The top two teams in each group of the USL will make it to the USL playoffs.
Most recently, North Carolina FC defeated Memphis 901 FC in the team’s first road win of the season. Akeem Ward scored the only goal in the 1-0 win. The goal was Ward’s first of his professional career and earned him a spot on the USL Team of the Week. Alex Tambakis secured his second clean sheet of the season and recorded five saves. The goalkeeper was named to the USL Team of the Week bench.
Dave Sarachan’s team is undefeated since they restarted the season on July 17. The last time around against Birmingham Legion FC, Dre Fortune scored to secure the NCFC win. An early red card given to Legion FC player Boluwatife Akinyode played a big difference in the match as Birmingham played a man down for just under 60 minutes.
“Birmingham certainly has a good sense of what we are about, and we have a good sense about what they are about,” said Sarachan. “We are playing against a good team that will be prepared to play and we have to be on our best to get the points we feel we can get at home.”
Birmingham Legion FC has played three matches since facing NCFC on August 1, earning seven points in the process. Legion FC has played three more games than NCFC since the restart. Most recently the team pulled off a comeback draw when Mikey Lopez scored an equalizer goal in the third minute of stoppage time against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday.
Players to Watch Presented by Aetna
North Carolina FC- #1 Alex Tambakis
Tambakis doubled his season save count last match against Memphis 901 FC. The goalkeeper has two clean sheets, including one against Birmingham Legion FC. He will look for his third-consecutive clean sheet this match.
Birmingham Legion FC- #8 Bruno Lapa
Lapa is familiar with the area having played collegiately at Wake Forest from 2016-2019. The Brazilian has taken more shots than any of his teammates, scoring four goals so far in 2020. He also has two assists, proving to be a dangerous attacking playmaker.
