CARY, NC (September 4, 2021) – North Carolina FC fell to the visiting Union Omaha, 3-0, in a chippy contest that saw five yellow cards between the two sides on Saturday night. The match featured Daniel Steedman’s club debut, a second-half spark from substitute Jay Tee Kamara, and a standout performance from Jake McGuire, who totaled four impressive saves throughout the game. The young squad will look to add to the win column in their next match against New England Revolution II on Saturday, September 11.
“I think in critical moments we let ourselves down,” said Head Coach John Bradford following the match. “In terms of flow of play, we responded after giving up an early goal in both halves but I don’t think that response was good enough to get ourselves back into things. Daniel’s been a really positive addition to the group. To get him on the field tonight and see him in a live game was great. He brings a lot of good things, like his athleticism and explosiveness, and once we figure out what position fits him best I think he’ll show what a bright future he has ahead of him. I feel bad for this group, because everybody trained incredibly well all week. It’s disappointing that we weren’t able to get out of this week what we put into it. The effort and the intensity that these guys continue to play with are still positives.”
Union Omaha drew first blood in tonight’s match as Damia Viader received a ball inside the North Carolina FC box, taking a few quick touches in succession before sharply cutting the ball to his left foot. Now in at close range, the defender curved a shot towards the near post, converting the attempt despite a valiant diving effort from Jake McGuire. The goal was Viader’s third of the season, the second-highest number of goals scored on the Union Omaha roster behind forward Greg Hurst.
Early into the second half, a Union Omaha attack was halted abruptly with a charge from McGuire. A penalty kick was awarded to the Owls as a yellow card was shown to McGuire, sparking some discourse from the North Carolina FC side, but to no avail as the penalty kick stood. Viader took the kick, scoring his second goal of the night to double Union Omaha’s lead. Ricky Rivera added Union Omaha’s third goal of the night in the 85th minute, heading in a cross from teammate John Scearce and bringing the score to 3-0.
Match Notes:
-
Daniel Steedman made his club debut in tonight’s matchup.
-
North Carolina FC maintained 57.6% of possession.
-
Jake McGuire recorded four saves during the contest.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will host a First Responders Night at their next home match against New England Revolution II on Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets available here.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-5-1): Jake McGuire, Parker O’Ferral, Max Flick, Britton Fischer, Nelson Flores, Aziel Jackson (Daniel Steedman — 76’), Nazmi Albadawi, Nelson Martinez (Pecka — 68’), Josh Coan (Jay Tee Kamara — 58’), Cole Frame, Robert Kristo (Thorn Simpson — 58’)
Subs Not Used: Nick Holliday, Peter Pearson, Malick Mbaye
OMA (4-5-1): Rashid Nuhu, Damia Viader, Jake Crull, Blake Malone, Ferrety Sousa, Austin Panchot (Greg Hurst — 60’), Emir Alihodzic (Toby Otieno — 73’), John Scearce, Conor Doyle, Devin Boyce (Elma N’for — 73’), Evan Conway (Ricky Rivera — 73’)
Subs Not Used: Kevin Piedrahita, Nick Firmino, Daltyn Knutson
Score:
NCFC: 0
OMA: 3
Goals:
NCFC: —
OMA: Damia Viader — 7’, 53’, Ricky Rivera — 85’
Cautions:
NCFC: Nelson Martinez — 24’, Max Flick — 39’, Jake McGuire — 52’, Aziel Jackson — 70’
OMA: Emir Alihodzic — 68’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
OMA: —
CARY, NC (September 4, 2021) – North Carolina FC fell to the visiting Union Omaha, 3-0, in a chippy contest that saw five yellow cards between the two sides on Saturday night. The match featured Daniel Steedman’s club debut, a second-half spark from substitute Jay Tee Kamara, and a standout performance from Jake McGuire, who totaled four impressive saves throughout the game. The young squad will look to add to the win column in their next match against New England Revolution II on Saturday, September 11.
“I think in critical moments we let ourselves down,” said Head Coach John Bradford following the match. “In terms of flow of play, we responded after giving up an early goal in both halves but I don’t think that response was good enough to get ourselves back into things. Daniel’s been a really positive addition to the group. To get him on the field tonight and see him in a live game was great. He brings a lot of good things, like his athleticism and explosiveness, and once we figure out what position fits him best I think he’ll show what a bright future he has ahead of him. I feel bad for this group, because everybody trained incredibly well all week. It’s disappointing that we weren’t able to get out of this week what we put into it. The effort and the intensity that these guys continue to play with are still positives.”
Union Omaha drew first blood in tonight’s match as Damia Viader received a ball inside the North Carolina FC box, taking a few quick touches in succession before sharply cutting the ball to his left foot. Now in at close range, the defender curved a shot towards the near post, converting the attempt despite a valiant diving effort from Jake McGuire. The goal was Viader’s third of the season, the second-highest number of goals scored on the Union Omaha roster behind forward Greg Hurst.
Early into the second half, a Union Omaha attack was halted abruptly with a charge from McGuire. A penalty kick was awarded to the Owls as a yellow card was shown to McGuire, sparking some discourse from the North Carolina FC side, but to no avail as the penalty kick stood. Viader took the kick, scoring his second goal of the night to double Union Omaha’s lead. Ricky Rivera added Union Omaha’s third goal of the night in the 85th minute, heading in a cross from teammate John Scearce and bringing the score to 3-0.
Match Notes:
-
Daniel Steedman made his club debut in tonight’s matchup.
-
North Carolina FC maintained 57.6% of possession.
-
Jake McGuire recorded four saves during the contest.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will host a First Responders Night at their next home match against New England Revolution II on Saturday, September 11 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets available here.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-5-1): Jake McGuire, Parker O’Ferral, Max Flick, Britton Fischer, Nelson Flores, Aziel Jackson (Daniel Steedman — 76’), Nazmi Albadawi, Nelson Martinez (Pecka — 68’), Josh Coan (Jay Tee Kamara — 58’), Cole Frame, Robert Kristo (Thorn Simpson — 58’)
Subs Not Used: Nick Holliday, Peter Pearson, Malick Mbaye
OMA (4-5-1): Rashid Nuhu, Damia Viader, Jake Crull, Blake Malone, Ferrety Sousa, Austin Panchot (Greg Hurst — 60’), Emir Alihodzic (Toby Otieno — 73’), John Scearce, Conor Doyle, Devin Boyce (Elma N’for — 73’), Evan Conway (Ricky Rivera — 73’)
Subs Not Used: Kevin Piedrahita, Nick Firmino, Daltyn Knutson
Score:
NCFC: 0
OMA: 3
Goals:
NCFC: —
OMA: Damia Viader — 7’, 53’, Ricky Rivera — 85’
Cautions:
NCFC: Nelson Martinez — 24’, Max Flick — 39’, Jake McGuire — 52’, Aziel Jackson — 70’
OMA: Emir Alihodzic — 68’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
OMA: —