CARY, N.C. (May 4, 2024) — North Carolina FC drew Rhode Island FC, 0-0, in the first ever meeting between the two teams on Saturday, May 4, at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Rhode Island held 58.6% of the possession, but NCFC outshot the visitors 8-5. NCFC won nine corners compared to Rhode Island’s three, with Louis Perez and Mikey Maldonado creating some key chances from the set pieces.
Maldonado’s long throw-ins also caused problems for the Rhode Island defense, but NCFC could not find the back of the net.
Paco Craig, Justin Malou and Bryce Washington put up a strong performance to help Antonio Carrera keep his first USL Championship clean sheet, holding Rhode Island to just two shots on target.
Match Notes
- Evan Conway made his 100th USL regular season appearance in the draw, entering the game as a substitute in the 69’.
- NCFC picked up their second clean sheet of the 2024 USL Championship regular season and third clean sheet overall.
- Antonio Carrera picked up his first USL Championship clean sheet.
Up Next:
North Carolina FC will host 2023 USL Championship winner Phoenix Rising in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Tickets for the battle between the 2023 USL Championship and USL League One winners are available here.
Box Score:
NCFC (3-4-2-1): Antonio Carrera; Justin Malou, Paco Craig ©, Bryce Washington; Nelson Flores Blanco, Collin Martin, Mikey Maldonado (Raheem Somersall – 69’), Rafa Mentzingen; Louis Perez (Jaden Servania – 83’), Julian Placias (Rodrigo Da Costa – 62‘); Oalex Anderson (Evan Conway – 69’).
Subs Not Used: Jake McGuire, Jacori Hayes, Shaft Brewer Jr., Ezra Armstrong,, Kyrome Lumsden.
RI (4-1-4-1): Koke Vegas ©; Frank Nodarse, Dabriel Alves, Karifo Yao, Stephen Turnbull; Prince Saydee (Collin Smith – 74’), Clay Holstad, Jokes Kwizera (Joseph Brito – 74’), Marc Ybarra (Kofi Twumasi – 88’), Noah Fuson; Mark Doyle (Isaac Angking – 80’).
Subs Not Used: Jackson Lee, Kevin Vang, Nathan Messer.
Score:
NCFC: 0
RI: 0
Goals:
NCFC: –
RI: –
Cautions:
NCFC: L. Perez – 50’, Bench – 56’,
RI: C. Holstad – 32’, F. Nodarse – 40’, Bench – 87’, K. Twumasi – 90’+3”
Ejections:
NCFC: –
RI: –
Attendance: 3,187