Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs. Greenville Triumph SC
Saturday, August 12, 7:00 p.m. ET | WakeMed Soccer Park| Cary, North Carolina
Broadcast: ESPN+
Social Media: @NorthCarolinaFC
CARY, NC. (August 11, 2023) – North Carolina FC return home to host Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina heads into their second match of the week sitting atop of the USL League One table with 38 points.
North Carolina FC ended their three-match road swing with a 2-2 draw against the Richmond Kickers Wednesday night. North Carolina is now unbeaten in eight straight matches, the longest stretch for the club in their time in USL League One and equaling their longest since May 19 through July 5 of 2019, which is also the longest unbeaten run since rejoining the USL pathway in 2018.
North Carolina erased an early deficit Wednesday on a Garrett McLaughlin strike then NCFC took the lead on a Richmond own goal early in the second half. The Kickers found an equalizer in the waning seconds of extra time to force a 2-2 draw.
North Carolina have scored in match during their unbeaten run, scoring 17 goals in the stretch. NCFC ranks third in the league in goals with 34, and second in shots with 292.
Scouting the Greenville Triumph
This will be North Carolina’s second of three matches against the Triumph this season, as NCFC took the first match, 1-2, at Paladin Stadium back in April. Greenville has just one loss in their last eleven matches and they had the most clean sheets (2) and fewest goals conceded (3) of any USL League One club in July.
Greenville head coach John Harkes was named July Coach of the Month, which is the fifth for him and the club, the most in league history. The Triumph ranks fifth in goals with 32 but have multiple players with impressive individual rankings. Leo Castro is third in goals (10), Allen Gavilanes is third in assists (6) — tied with North Carolina Forward Garrett McLaughlin, and keeper Jared Mazzola is second in saves with 64. Greenville’s stellar form as of late has lifted them into playoff positioning., Greenville will look to further climb the table and prove this confident group can hang with the league’s best when they visit WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday night.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – Forward Oalex Anderson
The July USL League One Player of the Month is a force to be reckoned with in the offensive third. He’s been named to the USL League One Team of the Week seven times and was also nominated for April Player of the Month. Anderson has scored seven goals in his last seven matches, recording his first two career braces in the span. He tallied the game winner at Tormenta this past weekend, tying him for second in the Golden Boot race with 11 goals this season. The former Seattle Sounder seems to have found his best form of his career and has emerged as the leader of NCFC’s prolific offense, which will be tested by the stingy Greenville defense Saturday night.
Greenville Triumph – Forward Leo Castro
Castro has been on a tear as of late, scoring four goals in his past three matches. He enters Saturday on the heels of a brace against the Charlotte Independence to earn Team of the Week honors. Castro is third in the league with 10 goals and ranks second in duels won. He is tough in possession and will challenge the North Carolina defense Throughout the evening.
Next Up
North Carolina FC will travel to Richmond, Virginia to once again face the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, August 19, with a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff at City Stadium. The match will stream on ESPN+ and @NorthCarolinaFC will provide social media updates.
