CARY, NC. (June 30, 2023) — North Carolina FC walked away with a big 2-0 win against Charlotte Independence at WakeMed Soccer Park. With more than double the shots, North Carolina pulled through to make the Dogwood Derby 1-1-1.
North Carolina and Charlotte Independence battled through the first half with almost even possession however North Carolina came out on top in the first half. Oalex Anderson was in perfect position to tap in a goal after a deflection from the Independence goalkeeper.
North Carolina added to their lead only fourteen minutes into the second half. Garrett McLauglin laid off a ball for Anderson who absolutely smashed the ball off the cross bar to then go into the back of the net. The assist by McLauglin tied him for first in assists in the league. Tor Saunders made his season debut with North Carolina FC and kept the clean sheet. North Carolina still sits atop the USL League One table with 26 points.
Quoting North Carolina FC
Head coach John Bradford on the win against Charlotte Independence
“I think our, our group from every single player obviously is, is, was committed to the, the purpose tonight to try to get a win.
Head Coach John Bradford on the pairing of Oalex Anderson and Garrett McLaughlin
“You see them in training, you see it in the locker room. It’s two guys that love playing with one another. They both have an unselfishness about them, that, whoever gets the assist, whoever gets the goal, as long as it’s good for the group, I think they see that.”
Oalex Anderson on winning against Charlotte Independence
“It’s good to put two on them tonight. It gives us the goal differential advantage this season. So it’s really good. I’ve scored two goals already against Charlotte this season and this game gave us three points and top of the table.”
Match Notes:
- O. Anderson has scored his sixth goal this season, no North Carolina player has more in the USL League One.
- G. McLaughlin has assisted his fourth goal making it the most this season.
- Charlotte Played the last twelve minutes with ten men.
- Luis Arriaga competed in his 100th professional appearance.
Next Match: North Carolina FC will travel to One Knoxville SC on Saturday, July 8, at 7:30 PM ET. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-4-2): Tor Saunders, Devin Benton, Gustavo Fernandes, Daniel Navarro, Christian Lue Young, Rafael Mentzingen (David Garcia –86’), Jaden Servania (Louis Perez, Luis Arriaga, Michael Maldonado, Garrett McLaughlin, Oalex Anderson
Subs Not Used: Trevor Mulqueen, Max Flick, Wellington Paeckart, Shakeem Adams, Preston Popp
CLT (4-3-3): Austin Pack, Fabrice Ngah (Tresor Mbuyu – 46’), Shalom Dutey, Nick Spielman, Clay Dimick, Omar Ciss, Rayan Djedje, Avionne Flanagan (Hector Acosta –83’), Gabriel Obertan (Miguel Ibarra – 46’), Joel Johnson, Dane Kelly (Khori Bennett – 67’)
Subs Not Used: Noah Abrams, Brad Dunwell, Luis Alvarez Escoto,
Score:
NCFC: 1
CLT: 0
Goals:
NCFC: O. Anderson – 40’, O. Anderson –59’ (G. McLaughlin)
CLT:
Cautions:
NCFC: O. Anderson – 54’
CLT: G. Obertan – 20’, S. Dutey – 39’, O. Ciss – 84’
Ejections:
NCFC: –
CLT: S. Duety – 79’ (Second Yellow)