CARY, N.C. (May 8, 2024) — North Carolina FC fell to Phoenix Rising, 1-2, in added extra time in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. NCFC forced the bonus 30 minutes with a late equalizer, but played with nine men for much of the added time after both teams had a player sent off in the first half.
After Phoenix scored the go-ahead goal in the 9’, North Carolina FC equalized with ten minutes left in regulation. Louis Perez played a corner insert into the front of the box where Justin Malou backheeled a redirect on a full volley into the net to level things.
Phoenix took control late on Giulio Doratiotto’s goal in the 111’ of added extra time to end NCFC’s Open Cup run. The home team held a 20-14 edge in shots on the night and had a marked advantage in xGoals, but could wound up on the wrong side of the scoreline.
Match Notes
- The match start was delayed to a 7:27 kickoff due to weather.
- Justin Malou scored his first NCFC goal in all competitions.
- Oalex Anderson had six shots on the night, more than any other player.
Up Next:
North Carolina FC will host Loudoun United FC on Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park for a midweek USL Championship tilt. Loudoun won the first meeting of 2024, 3-1, at Segra Field in March. Tickets are available here.
Box Score:
NCFC (3-4-2-1): Jake McGuire, Shaft Brewer (Rafa Mentzingen – 63’), Nelson Flores Blanco (Ezra Armstrong – 63’), Paco Craig © (red card), Justin Malou, Raheem Somersall, Rodrigo da Costa (Julian Placias – 78’), Jacori Hayes (Louis Perez – 63’), Bryce Washington, Evan Conway (Garrett McLaughlin – 97’), Oalex Anderson (Mikey Maldonado – 98’)
Subs Not Used: Akira Fitzgerald
PHX (4-3-3): Patrick Rakovsky, John Stenberg ©, Mohamed Traore, Laurence Wyke, Gabi Torres (Erickson Gallardo – 74’), Renzo Zambrano, John Scearce (Jose Hernandez – 113’), Juan Carlos Azócar (Ryan Flood – 91’), Federico Varela (Emil Cuello – 64’), Rémi Cabral (Giulio Doratiotto – 91’), Panos Armenakas (Alejandro Fuenmayor – 46’)
Subs Not Used: Rocco Ríos Novo
Score:
NCFC: 1
PHX: 2
Goals:
NCFC: J. Malou – 80’ (L. Perez),
PHX: J. Azócar – 9’, J. Doratiotto– 110’ (E. Gallardo)
Cautions:
NCFC: P. Craig – 9’, 40’; J. Malou – 54’; R. Somersall – 85’; E. Armstrong – 86’, 95’; J. Placias – 90+6’
PHX: L. Wyke – 7’, 24’; J. Azócar – 90+7’; J. Doratiotto– 110’; E. Gallardo – 117’
Ejections:
NCFC: P. Craig – 40’ (second yellow), E. Armstrong – 95’ (second yellow)
PHX: L. Wyke – 24’ (second yellow)
Attendance: 822