Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs Union Omaha
Friday, September 29, at 7:00 p.m. ET | WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC
Broadcast: ESPN+
Social Media: @NorthCarolinaFC
CARY, N.C. (September 28, 2023) – North Carolina FC return home for a top of the table match up against Union Omaha this Friday, September 29, at 7:00 PM ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina enters the weekend in first in the USL League One standings, just point ahead of Omaha, with 56 points and a 17-7-5 record. With just three matches remaining, a win would put NCFC on the cusp of their first-ever USL League One regular season title and a worst-to-first turnaround in 2023.
North Carolina won, 2-0, in Windsor against the North Colorado Hailstorm this past weekend. Garrett McLaughlin banged home a perfect free kick to put North Carolina ahead only five minutes before halftime. Oalex Anderson doubled the lead for NCFC on a Raheem Somersall through ball, allowing Anderson to drill it into the back of the net. North Carolina FC claimed a pair of wins on the daunting two-match west coast swing to catapult them back atop the standings.
North Carolina leads the league in goals with 54, shots with 414, and are tied in fourth for clean sheets with eight. Anderson closed the gap in the chase for the Golden Boot Race with his 16th goal of the season, making him second in the league. Rafa Mentzingen and Anderson sit third and fourth in shots this season, with 73 and 64. North Carolina looks to build on the momentum from this past week against Union Omaha in a critical matchup and remain atop the USL League One table with just two match weeks remaining.
Scouting Union Omaha
Union Omaha is on a ten-match winning streak, dating back to July 29, to climb up the USL League One table. They now sit in second with 55 points, with a. record of 16-5-7. The Owls are fourth in goals with 51, second in shots with 408, and have six clean sheets. North Carolina won the first meeting of the season, 2-1, then the Owls took the second at home 4-3. The red-hot Owls also have a game in hand down the stretch but face four of the top seven teams in the standings to close the season.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – Midfielder Raheem Somersall
The St. Kitts/Nevis international is a four-time team of the week honoree and is making waves for North Carolina. After recording his third goal and third assist within three matches, Somersall is proving to be an attacking force. The midfielder has become a reliable link for this potent front line, creating overloads and mismatches for his forwards and putting opposing defenses in tough positions to allow great chances at goal.
Union Omaha – Midfielder Luis Gil
The former United States Men’s National Team midfielder is setting expectations for Union Omaha this season. Gil is 3rd in assists with 7, 6th in chances created with 44, and has 29 shots this season. Luis Gil is a creative player who will look to distribute the ball in the attacking third, giving the Owls the best opportunity for scoring, and making it a challenge for North Carolina’s defense.
Next Up
North Carolina FC will head to Kentucky next Saturday, October 7, at 7:00 PM ET to take on Lexington Sporting Club at Toyota Stadium. The match will stream live on ESPN+ and @NorthCarolinaFC will have live updates on social media.