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CARY, N.C. (Oct. 18, 2019) – North Carolina FC announced its team awards for the 2019 season on Friday, with honors given for Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Leadership, Community Service and Select PT Comeback Player of the Year, as voted on by players. 

Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis was named MVP for an excellent second season with the club. The Athens, Greece, native has earned widespread recognition throughout 2019, including USL Championship Save of the Month honors on four different occasions. Tambakis, who was named the USL Championship Fans’ Choice Midseason Goalkeeper of the Year in July, has 90 saves and seven clean sheets. Tambakis’ .750 save percentage is second-highest among goalkeepers who have faced 100-plus shots in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. On June 8, Tambakis set a season-high with six saves as NCFC defeated the previously unbeaten and league-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-1. 

In the midst of a career year, midfielder Steven Miller was named Offensive Player of the Year. Now in his fifth season with the club, the converted defender leads NCFC in both goals (nine) and assists (six), the former of which is a personal-best. Miller has recorded braces in a pair of 4-2 wins against Atlanta United 2 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and his average of 1.33 shots on-goal per game is the fifth-highest in the Eastern Conference. 

One of the club’s most promising young players, right back DJ Taylor earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 22-year-old Taylor, in his fourth season professionally and third with NCFC, leads the team in minutes played with 2,808. A fixture in head coach Dave Sarachan’s backline, Taylor leads NCFC in tackles won (37) and ranks third in interceptions with 30. Also capable of joining in on the NCFC attack, Taylor’s created the third-most chances on the team (31) and has recorded four assists. 

Taking home the Leadership Award is captain Austin da Luz, the longest-tenured active NCFC player. Da Luz, who will retire following the season, ranks near the top of the NCFC record books in minutes played (13,310, second-most) matches (181, third-most), assists (18, fourth-most) and goals (23, fifth-most). After serving as a co-captain in 2018, da Luz assumed the full captaincy in 2019 for the second time in his time with the club, having previously served in the same capacity in 2013. 

Da Luz also took home the Community Service Award for the third straight year. The award went to a deserving player who distinguished himself with important work in the community off the field, which da Luz certainly did. Da Luz made countless appearances throughout the season and took his Playing For Pride initiative to new heights. drawing attention and support for LGBTQ issues. Using his platform as a professional soccer player to make a difference, da Luz has helped Playing for Pride raise over $60,000 since 2017. 

Forward Marios Lomis was named the Select PT Comeback Player of the Year for the way he bounced back from a lengthy ankle injury. In his second season with the club, Lomis scored six goals in his first 11 matches before breaking his left ankle during practice in late May. After undergoing surgery, Lomis exceeded expectations during the recovery process and rejoined the team in September before appearing for the first time since his injury on Oct. 12 against Nashville SC. 

Postseason-bound NCFC closes out the regular season on Saturday against Saint Louis FC at 7:00 p.m. on Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night, as the club will also honor da Luz for his career. NCFC’s USL Championship Playoffs journey begins at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m., with the opponent to be determined. For tickets and information about both games, please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
 

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 18, 2019) – North Carolina FC announced its team awards for the 2019 season on Friday, with honors given for Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Leadership, Community Service and Select PT Comeback Player of the Year, as voted on by players. 

Goalkeeper Alex Tambakis was named MVP for an excellent second season with the club. The Athens, Greece, native has earned widespread recognition throughout 2019, including USL Championship Save of the Month honors on four different occasions. Tambakis, who was named the USL Championship Fans’ Choice Midseason Goalkeeper of the Year in July, has 90 saves and seven clean sheets. Tambakis’ .750 save percentage is second-highest among goalkeepers who have faced 100-plus shots in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference. On June 8, Tambakis set a season-high with six saves as NCFC defeated the previously unbeaten and league-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-1. 

In the midst of a career year, midfielder Steven Miller was named Offensive Player of the Year. Now in his fifth season with the club, the converted defender leads NCFC in both goals (nine) and assists (six), the former of which is a personal-best. Miller has recorded braces in a pair of 4-2 wins against Atlanta United 2 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and his average of 1.33 shots on-goal per game is the fifth-highest in the Eastern Conference. 

One of the club’s most promising young players, right back DJ Taylor earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The 22-year-old Taylor, in his fourth season professionally and third with NCFC, leads the team in minutes played with 2,808. A fixture in head coach Dave Sarachan’s backline, Taylor leads NCFC in tackles won (37) and ranks third in interceptions with 30. Also capable of joining in on the NCFC attack, Taylor’s created the third-most chances on the team (31) and has recorded four assists. 

Taking home the Leadership Award is captain Austin da Luz, the longest-tenured active NCFC player. Da Luz, who will retire following the season, ranks near the top of the NCFC record books in minutes played (13,310, second-most) matches (181, third-most), assists (18, fourth-most) and goals (23, fifth-most). After serving as a co-captain in 2018, da Luz assumed the full captaincy in 2019 for the second time in his time with the club, having previously served in the same capacity in 2013. 

Da Luz also took home the Community Service Award for the third straight year. The award went to a deserving player who distinguished himself with important work in the community off the field, which da Luz certainly did. Da Luz made countless appearances throughout the season and took his Playing For Pride initiative to new heights. drawing attention and support for LGBTQ issues. Using his platform as a professional soccer player to make a difference, da Luz has helped Playing for Pride raise over $60,000 since 2017. 

Forward Marios Lomis was named the Select PT Comeback Player of the Year for the way he bounced back from a lengthy ankle injury. In his second season with the club, Lomis scored six goals in his first 11 matches before breaking his left ankle during practice in late May. After undergoing surgery, Lomis exceeded expectations during the recovery process and rejoined the team in September before appearing for the first time since his injury on Oct. 12 against Nashville SC. 

Postseason-bound NCFC closes out the regular season on Saturday against Saint Louis FC at 7:00 p.m. on Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night, as the club will also honor da Luz for his career. NCFC’s USL Championship Playoffs journey begins at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m., with the opponent to be determined. For tickets and information about both games, please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.
 

Game: North Carolina FC vs. Saint Louis FC (Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night)

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019

Kickoff time: 7:00 p.m.

Box Office Opens: 2:00 p.m.

Parking Lot Opens: 3:00 p.m.

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Parking: $10 general admission (cash/electronic)/$15 VIP (in advance)

Red & Blue Express: https://www.nccourage.com/express

Tickets: bit.ly/NCvSTLtix

Location: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Watch: WRAL2 l ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvSTL

Special Offer: First 3,000 fans will receive a free NCFC team poster.

Game: North Carolina FC vs. Saint Louis FC (Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night)

Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019

Kickoff time: 7:00 p.m.

Box Office Opens: 2:00 p.m.

Parking Lot Opens: 3:00 p.m.

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Parking: $10 general admission (cash/electronic)/$15 VIP (in advance)

Red & Blue Express: https://www.nccourage.com/express

Tickets: bit.ly/NCvSTLtix

Location: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Watch: WRAL2 l ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvSTL

Special Offer: First 3,000 fans will receive a free NCFC team poster.

North Carolina FC Hosts Saint Louis FC in Regular-Season Finale on Saturday as Club Honors Captain Austin da Luz

MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC VS. SAINT LOUIS FC
SAHLEN’S STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK 
SATURDAY, OCT. 19 – 7:00 PM ET
 
WATCH: WRAL2/ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvSTL
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #NCvSTL

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 17, 2019) – Postseason-bound North Carolina FC will close out the 34-game USL Championship regular season when it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The club will celebrate Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night while also honoring captain Austin da Luz, who will retire following the season. 

Da Luz is the longest-tenured active NCFC player, having first appeared for the club in 2012 following stints with Major League Soccer’s DC United and New York Red Bulls. The Wake Forest University product ranks near the top in the NCFC record book in several categories, including second in minutes played (13,310), third in matches played (181), fourth in assists (18) and fifth in goals (23). 

Two hundred and twenty-four days removed from its season-opening win against Louisville City FC in March, NCFC (15W-10L-8D, 53 points) enters Saturday’s regular-season finale in seventh place in the USL Championship standings. Having already clinched a spot in the postseason back in September, NCFC will begin its USL Championship Playoffs journey at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. While the opponent is to be determined, NCFC will host either Birmingham Legion FC, Charleston Battery or Saint Louis. 

Saint Louis holds 11th place in the Eastern Conference, as head coach Anthony Pulis’ team is on the outside looking in, one point behind 10th place Charleston. Very much a hot-and-cold type of team, Saint Louis has lost three straight matches and is winless in its last five games going back to Sept. 21. However, Saturday’s visitors previously won five straight games between Sept. 1-18.

Last time out, Saint Louis nearly earned a scoreless draw against conference-leading Pittsburgh this past weekend but conceded an 88th-minute goal. Likewise, NCFC is hoping to bounce back from a defeat, having lost 2-0 at second-place Nashville last Saturday. 

Sarachan’s team has scored 56 goals in 2019, tied for the fourth-most in the Eastern Conference. One of the most balanced teams in the USL Championship, NCFC has five different players with six-plus goals, including midfielder Steven Miller, who has a team-high nine goals and also leads with six assists. Not far behind Miller in scoring are forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robert Kristo, who have eight goals apiece. Defensively, NCFC is anchored by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, who has won USL Championship Save of the Month four times this season. 

Offensively, Saint Louis has counted on defender Sam Fink and forward Kyle Greig, as both players are tied for the team lead in goals with seven. 

Last Time Out 

Despite a good showing by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis and a strong second-half performance, NCFC fell 2-0 on the road at Nashville SC last Saturday. The hosts secured all three points through goals by Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto.  

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, NCFC earned the better of the chances as the second half began and nearly equalized in the 49th minute on a powerful strike by midfielder Ben Speas, which Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens initially fumbled. Knocking on the door, quality plays from Speas and forward Robert Kristo nearly brought NCFC even in the 59th minute. Having received a precise service from Speas, Kristo did well to take a calm first touch and released a left-footed shot that was goal-bound until Nashville’s Forrest Lasso deflected it. 

Against the run of play, Nashville made it a 2-0 game in the 70th on a header by Moloto. 
 
Players to Watch 

North Carolina FC – #6 Austin da Luz 
Since recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for a good portion of the season from April-July, da Luz has contributed regularly, both as a starter and a substitute for head coach Dave Sarachan. The last time he started a home match, da Luz scored his second goal of the season in a 3-3 draw against Bethlehem Steel last month. On the night he’s being honored, da Luz can make a real impact on the pitch. 

Saint Louis FC – #22 Kyle Greig
The former Vancouver Whitecap has enjoyed a productive second season in Saint Louis. A vital piece of head coach Anthony Pulis’ attack, Greig is tied for the team lead with seven goals and also has a team-best four assists. However, the forward is looking to snap out of a nine-game scoring drought. 

Looking Ahead 

NCFC begins its USL Championship Playoffs journey at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. While the opponent is yet to be determined, head coach Dave Sarachan’s group will host either Saint Louis, Birmingham Legion FC or Charleston Battery. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

North Carolina FC Hosts Saint Louis FC in Regular-Season Finale on Saturday as Club Honors Captain Austin da Luz

MATCHDAY INFO:
NORTH CAROLINA FC VS. SAINT LOUIS FC
SAHLEN’S STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK 
SATURDAY, OCT. 19 – 7:00 PM ET
 
WATCH: WRAL2/ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvSTL
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #NCvSTL

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 17, 2019) – Postseason-bound North Carolina FC will close out the 34-game USL Championship regular season when it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The club will celebrate Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night while also honoring captain Austin da Luz, who will retire following the season. 

Da Luz is the longest-tenured active NCFC player, having first appeared for the club in 2012 following stints with Major League Soccer’s DC United and New York Red Bulls. The Wake Forest University product ranks near the top in the NCFC record book in several categories, including second in minutes played (13,310), third in matches played (181), fourth in assists (18) and fifth in goals (23). 

Two hundred and twenty-four days removed from its season-opening win against Louisville City FC in March, NCFC (15W-10L-8D, 53 points) enters Saturday’s regular-season finale in seventh place in the USL Championship standings. Having already clinched a spot in the postseason back in September, NCFC will begin its USL Championship Playoffs journey at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. While the opponent is to be determined, NCFC will host either Birmingham Legion FC, Charleston Battery or Saint Louis. 

Saint Louis holds 11th place in the Eastern Conference, as head coach Anthony Pulis’ team is on the outside looking in, one point behind 10th place Charleston. Very much a hot-and-cold type of team, Saint Louis has lost three straight matches and is winless in its last five games going back to Sept. 21. However, Saturday’s visitors previously won five straight games between Sept. 1-18.

Last time out, Saint Louis nearly earned a scoreless draw against conference-leading Pittsburgh this past weekend but conceded an 88th-minute goal. Likewise, NCFC is hoping to bounce back from a defeat, having lost 2-0 at second-place Nashville last Saturday. 

Sarachan’s team has scored 56 goals in 2019, tied for the fourth-most in the Eastern Conference. One of the most balanced teams in the USL Championship, NCFC has five different players with six-plus goals, including midfielder Steven Miller, who has a team-high nine goals and also leads with six assists. Not far behind Miller in scoring are forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robert Kristo, who have eight goals apiece. Defensively, NCFC is anchored by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, who has won USL Championship Save of the Month four times this season. 

Offensively, Saint Louis has counted on defender Sam Fink and forward Kyle Greig, as both players are tied for the team lead in goals with seven. 

Last Time Out 

Despite a good showing by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis and a strong second-half performance, NCFC fell 2-0 on the road at Nashville SC last Saturday. The hosts secured all three points through goals by Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto.  

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, NCFC earned the better of the chances as the second half began and nearly equalized in the 49th minute on a powerful strike by midfielder Ben Speas, which Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens initially fumbled. Knocking on the door, quality plays from Speas and forward Robert Kristo nearly brought NCFC even in the 59th minute. Having received a precise service from Speas, Kristo did well to take a calm first touch and released a left-footed shot that was goal-bound until Nashville’s Forrest Lasso deflected it. 

Against the run of play, Nashville made it a 2-0 game in the 70th on a header by Moloto. 
 
Players to Watch 

North Carolina FC – #6 Austin da Luz 
Since recovering from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for a good portion of the season from April-July, da Luz has contributed regularly, both as a starter and a substitute for head coach Dave Sarachan. The last time he started a home match, da Luz scored his second goal of the season in a 3-3 draw against Bethlehem Steel last month. On the night he’s being honored, da Luz can make a real impact on the pitch. 

Saint Louis FC – #22 Kyle Greig
The former Vancouver Whitecap has enjoyed a productive second season in Saint Louis. A vital piece of head coach Anthony Pulis’ attack, Greig is tied for the team lead with seven goals and also has a team-best four assists. However, the forward is looking to snap out of a nine-game scoring drought. 

Looking Ahead 

NCFC begins its USL Championship Playoffs journey at home on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. While the opponent is yet to be determined, head coach Dave Sarachan’s group will host either Saint Louis, Birmingham Legion FC or Charleston Battery. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Tickets to North Carolina FC’s USL Championship Playoffs match on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m. are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com and can also be purchased by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Season Ticket Members have already had tickets to the match on the 23rd added to their account. While the opponent is unknown, NCFC will host either Saint Louis FC, Birmingham Legion FC, Memphis 901 FC or the Charleston Battery.  

The playoff appearance is NCFC’s second in the past three years and comes in head coach Dave Sarachan’s first year in charge of the team. With one regular-season match remaining, NCFC (15W-10L-8D, 53 points) holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference. NCFC closes out the regular season at home on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. against Saint Louis FC on Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. Tickets to that match can be purchased here or by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144. 

Tickets to North Carolina FC’s USL Championship Playoffs match on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m. are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com and can also be purchased by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Season Ticket Members have already had tickets to the match on the 23rd added to their account. While the opponent is unknown, NCFC will host either Saint Louis FC, Birmingham Legion FC, Memphis 901 FC or the Charleston Battery.  

The playoff appearance is NCFC’s second in the past three years and comes in head coach Dave Sarachan’s first year in charge of the team. With one regular-season match remaining, NCFC (15W-10L-8D, 53 points) holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference. NCFC closes out the regular season at home on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. against Saint Louis FC on Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. Tickets to that match can be purchased here or by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 12, 2019) – Despite a strong second-half effort and a good showing by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, North Carolina FC fell to Nashville SC 2-0 Saturday evening at Nissan Stadium. 

With the loss, NCFC, which has already clinched a spot in the USL Championship Playoffs, is now 15W-10L-8D (53 points) with one game in the regular season remaining. NCFC will host Saint Louis FC in the regular-season finale on Saturday. Oct. 19. 

As a result of Saturday’s game, NCFC will host a playoff match at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the opponent and time to be determined. Ticket information will be announced on Monday. 

Despite the NCFC defense remaining solid for much of the night and Tambakis making five saves, Nashville was able to secure its 19th win of the season through goals by Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto, respectively. 

Following a series of eye-catching saves by Tambakis, Nashville finally found a way through the Greek goalkeeper as Mensah headed home Moloto’s corner kick in the 32nd minute to put the hosts ahead 1-0. 

After the halftime break, NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan’s group created the better of the chances and nearly equalized in the 49th minute thanks to midfielder Ben Speas. Free in space, Speas fired a well-hit shot at the edge of the 18-yard box, which Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens initially spilled before recovering. Shortly after, NCFC forward Donovan Ewolo had a potentially dangerous shot blocked in the box. 

Knocking on the door, quality plays from Speas and forward Robbie Kristo nearly brought NCFC even in the 59th minute. Having received a precise service from Speas, Kristo did well to take a calm first touch and released a left-footed shot that was goal-bound until Nashville’s Forrest Lasso deflected it. 

Against the run of play, Nashville made it a 2-0 game in the 70th on a header by Moloto. 

Despite strong showings by second-half substitutes Justin Rennicks and Marios Lomis, NCFC couldn’t find a goal and Nashville saw out the two-goal win. 

Notes 

-As a result of Saturday’s match, NCFC will host a playoff match at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the opponent and time to be determined. Ticket information will be announced on Monday. 

– Nashville head coach Gary Smith was ejected from the match in the 51st minute. 

– NCFC split the regular-season series with Nashville. 

– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was fully featured on Saturday as NCFC Academy product DJ Taylor was named in the starting lineup, as was former NCFC U23 standout Alex Comsia. Caleb Duvernay, who played for both the Academy and NCFC U-23, appeared as a second-half substitute. 

– Justin Rennicks, Marios Lomis and Caleb Duvernay appeared as second-half substitutes for NCFC. Lomis, who previously suffered an ankle injury, made his first appearance since May 24. 

– NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis made five-plus saves for the seventh time this season. 

Looking Ahead 

NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The club will also honor the career of captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Box Score:

NSH (4-2-3-1): Matt Pickens; Justin Davis, Forrest Lasso ©, Jimmy Ockford, Darnell King; Bolu Akinyode, Matt LaGrassa; Alan Winn (Kharlton Belmar, 73’), Lebo Moloto (Derrick Jones, 85’), Ropapa Mensah (Taylor Washington, 66’); Daniel Ríos
 
Subs not used: Connor Sparrow, Bradley Bourgeois, Cameron Lancaster, Kosuke Kimura

NCFC (4-2-3-1): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen, Sam Brotherton, Alex Comsia, DJ Taylor; Victor Igbekoyi (Caleb Duvernay, 79’), Graham Smith; Donovan Ewolo (Marios Lomis, 79’), Ben Spes, Steven Miller © (Justin Rennicks, 69’); Robbie Kristo 
 
Subs not used: Darrin MacLeod, Austin da Luz, Duval Wapiwo, Colton Storm
 
Score:
NSH: 2
NCFC: 0

Goals:
NSH: Ropapa Mensah (32’, Lebo Moloto), Lebo Moloto (70’, Taylor Washington)
NCFC: – 

Cautions:
NSH: Darnell King, 55’
NCFC: Sam Brotherton, 3’

Ejections:
NSH: – 
NCFC: – 

Attendance: 9,101

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 12, 2019) – Despite a strong second-half effort and a good showing by goalkeeper Alex Tambakis, North Carolina FC fell to Nashville SC 2-0 Saturday evening at Nissan Stadium. 

With the loss, NCFC, which has already clinched a spot in the USL Championship Playoffs, is now 15W-10L-8D (53 points) with one game in the regular season remaining. NCFC will host Saint Louis FC in the regular-season finale on Saturday. Oct. 19. 

As a result of Saturday’s game, NCFC will host a playoff match at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the opponent and time to be determined. Ticket information will be announced on Monday. 

Despite the NCFC defense remaining solid for much of the night and Tambakis making five saves, Nashville was able to secure its 19th win of the season through goals by Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto, respectively. 

Following a series of eye-catching saves by Tambakis, Nashville finally found a way through the Greek goalkeeper as Mensah headed home Moloto’s corner kick in the 32nd minute to put the hosts ahead 1-0. 

After the halftime break, NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan’s group created the better of the chances and nearly equalized in the 49th minute thanks to midfielder Ben Speas. Free in space, Speas fired a well-hit shot at the edge of the 18-yard box, which Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens initially spilled before recovering. Shortly after, NCFC forward Donovan Ewolo had a potentially dangerous shot blocked in the box. 

Knocking on the door, quality plays from Speas and forward Robbie Kristo nearly brought NCFC even in the 59th minute. Having received a precise service from Speas, Kristo did well to take a calm first touch and released a left-footed shot that was goal-bound until Nashville’s Forrest Lasso deflected it. 

Against the run of play, Nashville made it a 2-0 game in the 70th on a header by Moloto. 

Despite strong showings by second-half substitutes Justin Rennicks and Marios Lomis, NCFC couldn’t find a goal and Nashville saw out the two-goal win. 

Notes 

-As a result of Saturday’s match, NCFC will host a playoff match at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23, with the opponent and time to be determined. Ticket information will be announced on Monday. 

– Nashville head coach Gary Smith was ejected from the match in the 51st minute. 

– NCFC split the regular-season series with Nashville. 

– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was fully featured on Saturday as NCFC Academy product DJ Taylor was named in the starting lineup, as was former NCFC U23 standout Alex Comsia. Caleb Duvernay, who played for both the Academy and NCFC U-23, appeared as a second-half substitute. 

– Justin Rennicks, Marios Lomis and Caleb Duvernay appeared as second-half substitutes for NCFC. Lomis, who previously suffered an ankle injury, made his first appearance since May 24. 

– NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis made five-plus saves for the seventh time this season. 

Looking Ahead 

NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The club will also honor the career of captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Box Score:

NSH (4-2-3-1): Matt Pickens; Justin Davis, Forrest Lasso ©, Jimmy Ockford, Darnell King; Bolu Akinyode, Matt LaGrassa; Alan Winn (Kharlton Belmar, 73’), Lebo Moloto (Derrick Jones, 85’), Ropapa Mensah (Taylor Washington, 66’); Daniel Ríos
 
Subs not used: Connor Sparrow, Bradley Bourgeois, Cameron Lancaster, Kosuke Kimura

NCFC (4-2-3-1): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen, Sam Brotherton, Alex Comsia, DJ Taylor; Victor Igbekoyi (Caleb Duvernay, 79’), Graham Smith; Donovan Ewolo (Marios Lomis, 79’), Ben Spes, Steven Miller © (Justin Rennicks, 69’); Robbie Kristo 
 
Subs not used: Darrin MacLeod, Austin da Luz, Duval Wapiwo, Colton Storm
 
Score:
NSH: 2
NCFC: 0

Goals:
NSH: Ropapa Mensah (32’, Lebo Moloto), Lebo Moloto (70’, Taylor Washington)
NCFC: – 

Cautions:
NSH: Darnell King, 55’
NCFC: Sam Brotherton, 3’

Ejections:
NSH: – 
NCFC: – 

Attendance: 9,101

MATCHDAY INFO:
NASHVILLE SC VS. NORTH CAROLINA FC  
NISSAN STADIUM 
SATURDAY, OCT. 12 – 8:00 PM ET
 
WATCH: ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNSHvNC
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #NSHvNC

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2019) – North Carolina FC takes a two-game winning streak into its final road match of the regular season, as it travels to face Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

Head coach Dave Sarachan’s team, which has already clinched a spot in the USL Championship Playoffs, took full advantage of its recent run of home games, winning 3-1 against Ottawa Fury FC and 2-0 against New York Red Bulls II. NCFC (15W-9L-8D, 53 points) holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference, but is only one point behind sixth-place Louisville City FC. 

Saturday’s match represents a chance for NCFC to both earn a season sweep of second-place Nashville (18W-7L-7D, 61 points) and once again illustrate how dangerous it can be against the conference’s top sides. In nine games against the teams ranked Nos. 1-5 in the Eastern Conference (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Nashville, Indy Eleven, New York Red Bulls II, Tampa Bay Rowdies), NCFC is 6W-2L-1D. 

The last time NCFC visited the Volunteer State, it nabbed a 2-1 win at Memphis 901 FC in August, and it will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday. When NCFC and Nashville most recently met in Cary on June 29, a goal by midfielder Ben Speas gave NCFC a 1-0 win, as goalkeeper Alex Tambakis earned his fifth clean sheet of the season. 

With five goals scored over its past two matches, NCFC’s attack enters Saturday’s showdown in fine form. As a team, NCFC’s 56 goals in 2019 are tied for the third-most in the Eastern Conference. The way Sarachan’s group has gone about finding the back of the net is unique compared to other teams in the USL Championship, however. Through matches played on Oct. 9, NCFC is the only team in the league to have five players with six-plus goals. Midfielder Steven Miller leads with nine goals – and also has a team-best six assists – but forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo aren’t far behind with eight tallies apiece. 

Nashville is led in scoring by Daniel Rios, a familiar name to NCFC fans. One year after notching 20 goals for NCFC while on loan from Chivas Guadalajara, the Mexican forward has found the back of the net a team-high 18 times for Nashville. But in its latest game, Nashville used a goal from a less-common source of offensive production to secure a 2-1 win over Louisville on Tuesday. With nothing separating the two teams, a 92nd-minute header by defender Jimmy Ockford, just his second goal of the year, won the match for Nashville. 

Last Time Out 

Facing the highest-scoring offense in the Eastern Conference, NCFC flipped the script and earned a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls II last Saturday at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for the team’s 10th victory at home this season. Goals by forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo proved to be enough for NCFC, as head coach Dave Sarachan’s team earned its ninth clean sheet of 2019. 

A strong start helped NCFC grab an early lead, as midfielder Manny Perez drew a penalty in the sixth minute. One minute later, Ewolo saw his kick from the spot saved but he collected the rebound for his eighth goal of the year. When Ewolo was forced to depart due to an injury later on in the first half, Kristo came on in replacement and continued his good run of form, scoring in the 50th minute. The goal was his fourth in NCFC’s last five home matches. Reliable in goal, NCFC’s Alex Tambakis matched his season-high with six saves in the victory. 

Players to Watch 

North Carolina FC – #33 Aaron Guillen
The versatile defender, formerly of FC Dallas, has been a steady presence at the back for NCFC, starting in 29 games this season. Capable of playing both center back and outside back, Guillen can be slotted anywhere along the backline but has primarily played at left back this season. In NCFC’s 1-0 win against Nashville in June, Guillen recorded his first assist of the season. 

Nashville SC – #14 Daniel Rios 
NCFC is understandably familiar with Nashville’s leading scorer and knows how important slowing him down is. When Rios scores, Nashville is 11W-2L-2D. When Rios doesn’t score, Nashville is 5W-4L-5D.  

Looking Ahead 

NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The club will also honor the career of captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

MATCHDAY INFO:
NASHVILLE SC VS. NORTH CAROLINA FC  
NISSAN STADIUM 
SATURDAY, OCT. 12 – 8:00 PM ET
 
WATCH: ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNSHvNC
LIVE UPDATES: @NORTHCAROLINAFC, #NSHvNC

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 11, 2019) – North Carolina FC takes a two-game winning streak into its final road match of the regular season, as it travels to face Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET. 

Head coach Dave Sarachan’s team, which has already clinched a spot in the USL Championship Playoffs, took full advantage of its recent run of home games, winning 3-1 against Ottawa Fury FC and 2-0 against New York Red Bulls II. NCFC (15W-9L-8D, 53 points) holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference, but is only one point behind sixth-place Louisville City FC. 

Saturday’s match represents a chance for NCFC to both earn a season sweep of second-place Nashville (18W-7L-7D, 61 points) and once again illustrate how dangerous it can be against the conference’s top sides. In nine games against the teams ranked Nos. 1-5 in the Eastern Conference (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Nashville, Indy Eleven, New York Red Bulls II, Tampa Bay Rowdies), NCFC is 6W-2L-1D. 

The last time NCFC visited the Volunteer State, it nabbed a 2-1 win at Memphis 901 FC in August, and it will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday. When NCFC and Nashville most recently met in Cary on June 29, a goal by midfielder Ben Speas gave NCFC a 1-0 win, as goalkeeper Alex Tambakis earned his fifth clean sheet of the season. 

With five goals scored over its past two matches, NCFC’s attack enters Saturday’s showdown in fine form. As a team, NCFC’s 56 goals in 2019 are tied for the third-most in the Eastern Conference. The way Sarachan’s group has gone about finding the back of the net is unique compared to other teams in the USL Championship, however. Through matches played on Oct. 9, NCFC is the only team in the league to have five players with six-plus goals. Midfielder Steven Miller leads with nine goals – and also has a team-best six assists – but forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo aren’t far behind with eight tallies apiece. 

Nashville is led in scoring by Daniel Rios, a familiar name to NCFC fans. One year after notching 20 goals for NCFC while on loan from Chivas Guadalajara, the Mexican forward has found the back of the net a team-high 18 times for Nashville. But in its latest game, Nashville used a goal from a less-common source of offensive production to secure a 2-1 win over Louisville on Tuesday. With nothing separating the two teams, a 92nd-minute header by defender Jimmy Ockford, just his second goal of the year, won the match for Nashville. 

Last Time Out 

Facing the highest-scoring offense in the Eastern Conference, NCFC flipped the script and earned a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls II last Saturday at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park for the team’s 10th victory at home this season. Goals by forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo proved to be enough for NCFC, as head coach Dave Sarachan’s team earned its ninth clean sheet of 2019. 

A strong start helped NCFC grab an early lead, as midfielder Manny Perez drew a penalty in the sixth minute. One minute later, Ewolo saw his kick from the spot saved but he collected the rebound for his eighth goal of the year. When Ewolo was forced to depart due to an injury later on in the first half, Kristo came on in replacement and continued his good run of form, scoring in the 50th minute. The goal was his fourth in NCFC’s last five home matches. Reliable in goal, NCFC’s Alex Tambakis matched his season-high with six saves in the victory. 

Players to Watch 

North Carolina FC – #33 Aaron Guillen
The versatile defender, formerly of FC Dallas, has been a steady presence at the back for NCFC, starting in 29 games this season. Capable of playing both center back and outside back, Guillen can be slotted anywhere along the backline but has primarily played at left back this season. In NCFC’s 1-0 win against Nashville in June, Guillen recorded his first assist of the season. 

Nashville SC – #14 Daniel Rios 
NCFC is understandably familiar with Nashville’s leading scorer and knows how important slowing him down is. When Rios scores, Nashville is 11W-2L-2D. When Rios doesn’t score, Nashville is 5W-4L-5D.  

Looking Ahead 

NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The club will also honor the career of captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

North Carolina FC defender Adam Armour has been named to the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team roster for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, which will take place from Oct. 26-Nov. 18, U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday. 

A leading example of NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline, the 17-year-old Armour signed an Academy contract with NCFC in April, making him available for first-team matches while maintaining his college eligibility. Armour has also trained with the first team throughout the 2019 season. The Cary native has starred for the NCFC Academy's U-18/19 squad and also saw the field for head coach Tom Harris’ NCFC U-23 squad this past summer in USL League Two action. 

Armour, one of the 21 players selected for the upcoming tournament by head coach Raphael Wicky, has 18 U-17 caps and will be part of the U.S. squad that takes on Senegal (Oct. 27), Japan (Oct. 30) and Netherlands (Nov. 2) in the group stage.

2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Roster by Position (Club; Hometown; U-17 Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): 21-Aaron Cervantes (Orange County SC; Chino Hills, Calif.; 4/0), 1-Damian Las (Fulham/ENG; Norridge, Ill.; 19/0), 12-Chituru Odunze (Leicester City/ENG; London, England; 7/0)

DEFENDERS (7): 15-Sebastian Anderson (Colorado Rapids; Highlands Ranch, Colo.; 4/0), 13-Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.; 18/0), 3-George Bello (Atlanta United FC; Douglasville, Ga.; 8/1), 4-Nicolas Carrera (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas; 3/0), 14-Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.; 17/0), 5-Kobe Hernandez-Foster (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 23/3), 2-Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.; 19/1)

MIDFIELDERS (5): 18-Maximilian Dietz (Freiburg/GER; Frankfurt, Germany; 2/0), 17-Ethan Dobbelaere (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.; 3/0), 8-Bryang Kayo (Orange County SC; Poolesville, Md.; 8/1), 6-Daniel Leyva (Seattle Sounders FC; Las Vegas, Nev.; 7/0), 16-Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.; 25/2)

FORWARDS (6): 7-Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City; Greensboro, N.C.; 15/7), 20-Andres Jasson (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.; 11/1), 19-Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Merced, Calif.; 24/9), 9-Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas; 15/5), 10-Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; Bedford, N.Y.; 15/8), 11-Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.; 12/7)

ABOUT THE U-17 MNT

Twenty of 21 players on the roster have spent at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, including every player born in the U.S. Thirteen players have logged professional minutes this season in Major League Soccer or USL League One. 
    
Fourteen players return from the USA’s 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship squad that clinched the Stars and Stripes’ record 17th trip to the U-17 World Cup. Four players were named to the Best XI at the regional championship: defender Kobe Hernandez-Foster, midfielder Daniel Leyva and forwards Gianluca Busio and Gio Reyna – all of whom have been selected for the World Cup roster.

Reyna is the U-17s’ leading scorer this year and moved to Germany’s Borussia Dortmund over the summer to launch his pro career overseas. The son of U.S. Men’s National Team legend Claudio Reyna, Gio will play in the U-17 World Cup 30 years after his father did so at the 1989 tournament in Scotland. Busio will be the most experienced professional to ever take the field for the USA at a U-17 World Cup after making 26 league appearances for Sporting Kansas City over the last two seasons. 

Since the start of this U-17 cycle in December 2017, the U.S. has put together a 17-8-5 international record, testing themselves against national teams from 18 different countries.

AT THE 2019 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP

The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup features 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The top two finishers in each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout round. All 52 matches of the tournament will be played in four venues across Brazil.  

2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup – USA Group D Schedule

Date	Match	Kickoff (ET)	Venue	TV Info
Sunday, Oct. 27	USA vs. Senegal	3:50 p.m.	Estadio Kleber Andrade; Cariacica, Brazil	FS1, Telemundo
Wed., Oct. 30	USA vs. Japan	6:50 p.m.	Estadio Kleber Andrade; Cariacica, Brazil	FS2, Universo
Sat., Nov. 2	USA vs. Netherlands	6:50 p.m.	Estadio da Serrinha; Goiania, Brazil	FS2, Universo

The USA has qualified for a record 17 U-17 World Cups and is one of just seven countries to qualify for the last three tournaments.

ROSTER NOTES:

• The roster features 16 17-year-olds and five 16-year-olds.

• Seventeen players compete domestically, while four are based internationally in England (two players) and Germany (two players). 

• Nine players have been signed to MLS Homegrown contracts. 

• Twelve different states are represented on the roster, with the most players coming from California and New York (three each).

• This will be head coach Raphael Wicky’s first World Cup at the helm of the U-17 USMNT. He played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Switzerland, making four of his 75 appearances for the Swiss National Team during that tournament. 

• Wicky brings 27 years of experience as a player and coach in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States to U.S. Soccer. Prior to joining the U-17s, he coached FC Basel to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after rising through the ranks of the club’s youth system.

• Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez enters the tournament as the U-17s’ leading scorer with nine goals. 

• Adam Saldana is the team’s most experienced player with 25 caps. Both Saldana and goalkeeper Damian Las have participated in all fourteen U-17 training camps/events in the lead-up to the World Cup. 

• Seven players represented the USA at the 2017 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship: Las, defenders George Bello and Joe Scally, Saldana and forwards Gianluca Busio, Ocampo-Chavez and Gio Reyna.

• Three players earned their first U-17 caps at the team’s final preparation camp in September during the 4 Nations Tournament in the Netherlands: defender Nicolas Carrera and midfielders Maximilian Dietz and Ethan Dobbelaere. 

• Las made his debut for Fulham on Sept. 21, keeping a clean sheet at Aston Villa in a 3-0 win.

• Scally scored his first goal for New York City FC U-18/19 since the 2017-18 season on Oct. 5 at New England. 

• Midfielder Daniel Leyva netted his first pro goal on Oct. 5 for the Tacoma Defiance at Fresno. Ocampo-Chavez also scored, his sixth of the season for Tacoma. 

• Bello scored his first goal of the 2019 season for Atlanta United II on Wed. night in a 5-2 win against Bethlehem. 

• Busio finished the 2019 MLS season with 22 appearances, the fifth-most in the league for a teenager. He was the only 17-year-old with more than 15 appearances on the year.

• Forward Ricardo Pepi finished the inaugural USL League One campaign as the league’s fifth-leading scorer. He helped North Texas SC top the regular season table and the No. 1 seed in the postseason. 

• In the U-19 Bundesliga, Reyna has started all seven games for Dortmund to start the season, while Dietz has appeared in all seven matches for Freiburg. 

• Midfielder Bryang Kayo recently signed his first professional contract with USL Championship side Orange County SC.

ACADEMY TIES:

• Twenty of the 21 players have spent at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

• In addition to the 14 players from MLS clubs who came up through their respective academies and North Carolina FC’s Adam Armour, the remaining five players last played for the following DA teams: Aaron Cervantes (Pateadores), Kayo (D.C. United), Las (Chicago Fire), Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Reyna (New York City FC). 

• Three players have won Academy Player of the Year honors- defender Kobe Hernandez (West, 2019), Reyna (East U-16/17, 2018) and Bello (East U-15/16, 2017).

• Four players were named to Academy Best XIs at the end of last season- Armour (East), Tayvon Gray (East), Hernandez (West) and Kayo (East).

• Gray and forward Andres Jasson are two-time Academy champions with New York City FC U-18/19 (2018 and 2019). Reyna and Scally were also a part of NYC’s 2018 national champion squad.  

• Jasson won the Golden Boot as the 2019 postseason’s leading scorer, netting six goals.

• Leyva and Ocampo-Chavez won the 2018 U-16/17 Academy Championship with Seattle Sounders FC. 

• Bello helped Atlanta United U-15/16 take home the 2017 U-15/16 Academy Championship.
  
  ###

North Carolina FC defender Adam Armour has been named to the U.S. U-17 Men’s National Team roster for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, which will take place from Oct. 26-Nov. 18, U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday. 

A leading example of NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline, the 17-year-old Armour signed an Academy contract with NCFC in April, making him available for first-team matches while maintaining his college eligibility. Armour has also trained with the first team throughout the 2019 season. The Cary native has starred for the NCFC Academy’s U-18/19 squad and also saw the field for head coach Tom Harris’ NCFC U-23 squad this past summer in USL League Two action. 

Armour, one of the 21 players selected for the upcoming tournament by head coach Raphael Wicky, has 18 U-17 caps and will be part of the U.S. squad that takes on Senegal (Oct. 27), Japan (Oct. 30) and Netherlands (Nov. 2) in the group stage.

2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup Roster by Position (Club; Hometown; U-17 Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): 21-Aaron Cervantes (Orange County SC; Chino Hills, Calif.; 4/0), 1-Damian Las (Fulham/ENG; Norridge, Ill.; 19/0), 12-Chituru Odunze (Leicester City/ENG; London, England; 7/0)

DEFENDERS (7): 15-Sebastian Anderson (Colorado Rapids; Highlands Ranch, Colo.; 4/0), 13-Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.; 18/0), 3-George Bello (Atlanta United FC; Douglasville, Ga.; 8/1), 4-Nicolas Carrera (FC Dallas; Frisco, Texas; 3/0), 14-Tayvon Gray (New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.; 17/0), 5-Kobe Hernandez-Foster (LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 23/3), 2-Joe Scally (New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.; 19/1)

MIDFIELDERS (5): 18-Maximilian Dietz (Freiburg/GER; Frankfurt, Germany; 2/0), 17-Ethan Dobbelaere (Seattle Sounders FC; Seattle, Wash.; 3/0), 8-Bryang Kayo (Orange County SC; Poolesville, Md.; 8/1), 6-Daniel Leyva (Seattle Sounders FC; Las Vegas, Nev.; 7/0), 16-Adam Saldana (LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.; 25/2)

FORWARDS (6): 7-Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City; Greensboro, N.C.; 15/7), 20-Andres Jasson (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.; 11/1), 19-Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Seattle Sounders FC; Merced, Calif.; 24/9), 9-Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas; McKinney, Texas; 15/5), 10-Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER; Bedford, N.Y.; 15/8), 11-Griffin Yow (D.C. United; Clifton, Va.; 12/7)

ABOUT THE U-17 MNT

Twenty of 21 players on the roster have spent at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, including every player born in the U.S. Thirteen players have logged professional minutes this season in Major League Soccer or USL League One. 
    
Fourteen players return from the USA’s 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship squad that clinched the Stars and Stripes’ record 17th trip to the U-17 World Cup. Four players were named to the Best XI at the regional championship: defender Kobe Hernandez-Foster, midfielder Daniel Leyva and forwards Gianluca Busio and Gio Reyna – all of whom have been selected for the World Cup roster.

Reyna is the U-17s’ leading scorer this year and moved to Germany’s Borussia Dortmund over the summer to launch his pro career overseas. The son of U.S. Men’s National Team legend Claudio Reyna, Gio will play in the U-17 World Cup 30 years after his father did so at the 1989 tournament in Scotland. Busio will be the most experienced professional to ever take the field for the USA at a U-17 World Cup after making 26 league appearances for Sporting Kansas City over the last two seasons. 

Since the start of this U-17 cycle in December 2017, the U.S. has put together a 17-8-5 international record, testing themselves against national teams from 18 different countries.

AT THE 2019 FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP

The 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup features 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The top two finishers in each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams advance to the knockout round. All 52 matches of the tournament will be played in four venues across Brazil.  

2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup – USA Group D Schedule

Date	Match	Kickoff (ET)	Venue	TV Info
Sunday, Oct. 27	USA vs. Senegal	3:50 p.m.	Estadio Kleber Andrade; Cariacica, Brazil	FS1, Telemundo
Wed., Oct. 30	USA vs. Japan	6:50 p.m.	Estadio Kleber Andrade; Cariacica, Brazil	FS2, Universo
Sat., Nov. 2	USA vs. Netherlands	6:50 p.m.	Estadio da Serrinha; Goiania, Brazil	FS2, Universo

The USA has qualified for a record 17 U-17 World Cups and is one of just seven countries to qualify for the last three tournaments.

ROSTER NOTES:

• The roster features 16 17-year-olds and five 16-year-olds.

• Seventeen players compete domestically, while four are based internationally in England (two players) and Germany (two players). 

• Nine players have been signed to MLS Homegrown contracts. 

• Twelve different states are represented on the roster, with the most players coming from California and New York (three each).

• This will be head coach Raphael Wicky’s first World Cup at the helm of the U-17 USMNT. He played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Switzerland, making four of his 75 appearances for the Swiss National Team during that tournament. 

• Wicky brings 27 years of experience as a player and coach in Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the United States to U.S. Soccer. Prior to joining the U-17s, he coached FC Basel to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after rising through the ranks of the club’s youth system.

• Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez enters the tournament as the U-17s’ leading scorer with nine goals. 

• Adam Saldana is the team’s most experienced player with 25 caps. Both Saldana and goalkeeper Damian Las have participated in all fourteen U-17 training camps/events in the lead-up to the World Cup. 

• Seven players represented the USA at the 2017 Concacaf Boys’ U-15 Championship: Las, defenders George Bello and Joe Scally, Saldana and forwards Gianluca Busio, Ocampo-Chavez and Gio Reyna.

• Three players earned their first U-17 caps at the team’s final preparation camp in September during the 4 Nations Tournament in the Netherlands: defender Nicolas Carrera and midfielders Maximilian Dietz and Ethan Dobbelaere. 

• Las made his debut for Fulham on Sept. 21, keeping a clean sheet at Aston Villa in a 3-0 win.

• Scally scored his first goal for New York City FC U-18/19 since the 2017-18 season on Oct. 5 at New England. 

• Midfielder Daniel Leyva netted his first pro goal on Oct. 5 for the Tacoma Defiance at Fresno. Ocampo-Chavez also scored, his sixth of the season for Tacoma. 

• Bello scored his first goal of the 2019 season for Atlanta United II on Wed. night in a 5-2 win against Bethlehem. 

• Busio finished the 2019 MLS season with 22 appearances, the fifth-most in the league for a teenager. He was the only 17-year-old with more than 15 appearances on the year.

• Forward Ricardo Pepi finished the inaugural USL League One campaign as the league’s fifth-leading scorer. He helped North Texas SC top the regular season table and the No. 1 seed in the postseason. 

• In the U-19 Bundesliga, Reyna has started all seven games for Dortmund to start the season, while Dietz has appeared in all seven matches for Freiburg. 

• Midfielder Bryang Kayo recently signed his first professional contract with USL Championship side Orange County SC.

ACADEMY TIES:

• Twenty of the 21 players have spent at least one season in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

• In addition to the 14 players from MLS clubs who came up through their respective academies and North Carolina FC’s Adam Armour, the remaining five players last played for the following DA teams: Aaron Cervantes (Pateadores), Kayo (D.C. United), Las (Chicago Fire), Odunze (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Reyna (New York City FC). 

• Three players have won Academy Player of the Year honors- defender Kobe Hernandez (West, 2019), Reyna (East U-16/17, 2018) and Bello (East U-15/16, 2017).

• Four players were named to Academy Best XIs at the end of last season- Armour (East), Tayvon Gray (East), Hernandez (West) and Kayo (East).

• Gray and forward Andres Jasson are two-time Academy champions with New York City FC U-18/19 (2018 and 2019). Reyna and Scally were also a part of NYC’s 2018 national champion squad.  

• Jasson won the Golden Boot as the 2019 postseason’s leading scorer, netting six goals.

• Leyva and Ocampo-Chavez won the 2018 U-16/17 Academy Championship with Seattle Sounders FC. 

• Bello helped Atlanta United U-15/16 take home the 2017 U-15/16 Academy Championship.
  
  ###

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2019) – North Carolina FC’s Nazmi Albadawi, Yamikani Chester, Dre Fortune and Manny Perez have been named to the squads of their respective national teams for the upcoming FIFA October window, which runs from Oct. 7-15.

Albadawi will join Palestine for its home match against Saudi Arabia on Oct. 15, which doubles as a 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifier. Palestine holds second place in Group C in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifiers. Albadawi, a Raleigh native, is eligible to represent Palestine through ancestral ties, and has one goal and an assist in six international appearances. Last month, Albadawi assisted in Palestine’s 2-0 home win against Uzbekistan. 

Chester, the first-year NCFC man, will link up with Malawi for its friendly against Lesotho on Oct. 11. The athletic winger played in both of Malawi’s World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana in September, as Malawi advanced 1-0 on aggregate to reach the second round of CAF World Cup qualifiers. 

Coming off his first stint with the Trinidad & Tobago National Team in September, Fortune, an NCFC Academy product and Raleigh native, is set to once again join the Soca Warriors. Trinidad & Tobago hosts Honduras on Oct. 10 in a Concacaf Nations League match before traveling to Venezuela on Oct. 14 for a friendly. 

Perez, an NCFC Academy product, has been named to the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team roster for its training camp and match vs. El Salvador from Oct. 6-15 at Florida International University in Miami, Fla, U.S. Soccer announced on Monday. 

Perez, on loan with NCFC from Celtic F.C., already has international experience under his belt. The Garner native previously helped the U.S. U-20 National Team qualify for the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, as the team captured the CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship in November 2018.

After traveling to face Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET, NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The team will also celebrate the career of team captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 7, 2019) – North Carolina FC’s Nazmi Albadawi, Yamikani Chester, Dre Fortune and Manny Perez have been named to the squads of their respective national teams for the upcoming FIFA October window, which runs from Oct. 7-15.

Albadawi will join Palestine for its home match against Saudi Arabia on Oct. 15, which doubles as a 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup qualifier. Palestine holds second place in Group C in the second round of AFC World Cup qualifiers. Albadawi, a Raleigh native, is eligible to represent Palestine through ancestral ties, and has one goal and an assist in six international appearances. Last month, Albadawi assisted in Palestine’s 2-0 home win against Uzbekistan. 

Chester, the first-year NCFC man, will link up with Malawi for its friendly against Lesotho on Oct. 11. The athletic winger played in both of Malawi’s World Cup qualifying matches against Botswana in September, as Malawi advanced 1-0 on aggregate to reach the second round of CAF World Cup qualifiers. 

Coming off his first stint with the Trinidad & Tobago National Team in September, Fortune, an NCFC Academy product and Raleigh native, is set to once again join the Soca Warriors. Trinidad & Tobago hosts Honduras on Oct. 10 in a Concacaf Nations League match before traveling to Venezuela on Oct. 14 for a friendly. 

Perez, an NCFC Academy product, has been named to the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team roster for its training camp and match vs. El Salvador from Oct. 6-15 at Florida International University in Miami, Fla, U.S. Soccer announced on Monday. 

Perez, on loan with NCFC from Celtic F.C., already has international experience under his belt. The Garner native previously helped the U.S. U-20 National Team qualify for the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru, as the team captured the CONCACAF U-20 Men’s Championship in November 2018.

After traveling to face Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET, NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The team will also celebrate the career of team captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2019) – Facing the highest-scoring offense in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, playoff-bound North Carolina FC flipped the script Saturday night and won 2-0 over New York Red Bulls II at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

Goals by forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo secured NCFC’s second consecutive victory and 10th overall at home this season, as head coach Dave Sarachan’s team improved to 15W-9L-8D (53 points). With two matches remaining in the regular season, NCFC holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference. 

“I’m very pleased with the commitment of our 11 guys to keep a clean sheet,” Sarachan said. “That was important tonight and they did. It was a real, kind of a playoff-feel type game, where one play could swing it one way or the other. We beat a very good team tonight.”

Solid in goal as has been the case all year, Alex Tambakis matched his season-high with six saves for NCFC, two of which kept NYRB II scoreless in the game’s opening stages. 

Instead, it was NCFC that struck for an early goal in the seventh minute. After receiving a diagonal, cross-field pass from center back Alex Comsia, midfielder Manny Perez made a run on goal and was dragged down by NYRB II’s Preston Kilwien, earning a penalty kick. 

Moments later, Ewolo stepped up to the spot and saw his kick initially saved by opposing goalkeeper Evan Louro. Still calm, Ewolo collected the rebound and found the back of the net for his eighth goal of the year. 

Throughout the first half, both teams exchanged a series of scoring chances, and it was midfielder Ben Speas who nearly doubled NCFC’s advantage three minutes into stoppage time, forcing a save by the alert Louro. 

In possession of a one-goal advantage at the break, NCFC started the second half the same way it did the first with another quick goal. This time it came through Kristo, who’s made a habit of scoring at WakeMed Soccer Park in recent weeks. Set up by midfielder Nazmi Albadawi, Kristo finished at the near post for his eighth goal of the year, making it a 2-0 game. 

From that point on, the NCFC defense continued to stymie an NYRB II attack with plenty of firepower in forwards Tom Barlow and Mathias Jørgensen. 

By night’s end, the visitors had been shut out for just the fifth time this season, as NCFC recorded its ninth clean sheet of the year. 

Fact to Know 

On a night where NCFC honored club legends Kupono Low and Tiyi Shipalane, it was Albadawi who tied Shipalane for first place on the club’s all-time assists leaderboard when he played a role in Kristo’s 50th-minute goal. Albadawi and Shipalane each have 23 assists for the club.  

Notes 

– NCFC improved to 10W-1L-5D at home this season. NCFC has outscored opponents 39-15 in 16 matches at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2019. 

– With their goals Saturday, Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo are tied for second on the team with eight tallies apiece. Kristo replaced Ewolo in the 37th minute, as Ewolo was forced to exit due to injury. 

– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was on full display Saturday as NCFC Academy products DJ Taylor, Dre Fortune and Manny Perez were named in the starting lineup, as were former NCFC U23 standouts Nazmi Albadawi and Alex Comsia. Caleb Duvernay, who played for both the Academy and NCFC U-23, was named to the bench. 

-Robbie Kristo has scored in four of NCFC's past five home matches, including the last three. 

– Nazmi Albadawi recorded his fourth assist of the season and the 23rd of his NCFC career, moving him into a tie with Tiyi Shipalane for the most in club history. 

– NCFC completed a season sweep of NYRB II. NCFC is 6W-1L-0D against the teams who entered this week in the top four spots in the Eastern Conference (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Nashville SC, NYRB II, Tampa Bay Rowdies). 

– NCFC improved to 11W-0L-2D when leading at halftime. 

– Robbie Kristo, Steven Miller and Yamikani Chester appeared as substitutes for NCFC. 

Looking Ahead 

After traveling to face Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET, NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The team will also celebrate the career of team captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Box Score:

NCFC (4-1-4-1): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen ©, Sam Brotherton, Alex Comsia, DJ Taylor; Graham Smith; Ben Speas (Steven Miller, 65’), Dre Fortune, Nazmi Albadawi, Manny Perez (Yamikani Chester, 89’); Donovan Ewolo (Robert Kristo, 37’)
 
Subs not used: Darrin McLeod, Austin da Luz, Victor Igbekoyi, Caleb Duvernay
 
NY (4-4-2): Evan Louro; John Tolkin (Janos Loebe, 73’), Preston Kilwien (Allen Yanes, 65’), Jordan Scarlett, Rece Buckmaster; Chris Lema ©, Jean Koffi (Ben Mines, 81’), Vincent Bezecourt, Jared Stroud; Mathias Jorgensen, Tom Barlow
 
Subs not used:  Rashid Nuhu, Kyle Zajec, Sean McSherry, Sebastian Elney,
 
Score:
NCFC: 1
NY: 0

Goals:
NCFC: Donovan Ewolo (Unassisted, 7’), Robert Kristo (Nazmi Albadawi, 50’)
NY:
                                                                                                                                         Cautions:
NCFC: —
NY: Preston Kilwien 7’, Jordan Scarlett 87’

Ejections:
NCFC: —
NY: —

Attendance: 4,293

CARY, N.C. (Oct. 5, 2019) – Facing the highest-scoring offense in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, playoff-bound North Carolina FC flipped the script Saturday night and won 2-0 over New York Red Bulls II at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

Goals by forwards Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo secured NCFC’s second consecutive victory and 10th overall at home this season, as head coach Dave Sarachan’s team improved to 15W-9L-8D (53 points). With two matches remaining in the regular season, NCFC holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference. 

“I’m very pleased with the commitment of our 11 guys to keep a clean sheet,” Sarachan said. “That was important tonight and they did. It was a real, kind of a playoff-feel type game, where one play could swing it one way or the other. We beat a very good team tonight.”

Solid in goal as has been the case all year, Alex Tambakis matched his season-high with six saves for NCFC, two of which kept NYRB II scoreless in the game’s opening stages. 

Instead, it was NCFC that struck for an early goal in the seventh minute. After receiving a diagonal, cross-field pass from center back Alex Comsia, midfielder Manny Perez made a run on goal and was dragged down by NYRB II’s Preston Kilwien, earning a penalty kick. 

Moments later, Ewolo stepped up to the spot and saw his kick initially saved by opposing goalkeeper Evan Louro. Still calm, Ewolo collected the rebound and found the back of the net for his eighth goal of the year. 

Throughout the first half, both teams exchanged a series of scoring chances, and it was midfielder Ben Speas who nearly doubled NCFC’s advantage three minutes into stoppage time, forcing a save by the alert Louro. 

In possession of a one-goal advantage at the break, NCFC started the second half the same way it did the first with another quick goal. This time it came through Kristo, who’s made a habit of scoring at WakeMed Soccer Park in recent weeks. Set up by midfielder Nazmi Albadawi, Kristo finished at the near post for his eighth goal of the year, making it a 2-0 game. 

From that point on, the NCFC defense continued to stymie an NYRB II attack with plenty of firepower in forwards Tom Barlow and Mathias Jørgensen. 

By night’s end, the visitors had been shut out for just the fifth time this season, as NCFC recorded its ninth clean sheet of the year. 

Fact to Know 

On a night where NCFC honored club legends Kupono Low and Tiyi Shipalane, it was Albadawi who tied Shipalane for first place on the club’s all-time assists leaderboard when he played a role in Kristo’s 50th-minute goal. Albadawi and Shipalane each have 23 assists for the club.  

Notes 

– NCFC improved to 10W-1L-5D at home this season. NCFC has outscored opponents 39-15 in 16 matches at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2019. 

– With their goals Saturday, Donovan Ewolo and Robbie Kristo are tied for second on the team with eight tallies apiece. Kristo replaced Ewolo in the 37th minute, as Ewolo was forced to exit due to injury. 

– NCFC’s youth-to-pro pipeline was on full display Saturday as NCFC Academy products DJ Taylor, Dre Fortune and Manny Perez were named in the starting lineup, as were former NCFC U23 standouts Nazmi Albadawi and Alex Comsia. Caleb Duvernay, who played for both the Academy and NCFC U-23, was named to the bench. 

-Robbie Kristo has scored in four of NCFC’s past five home matches, including the last three. 

– Nazmi Albadawi recorded his fourth assist of the season and the 23rd of his NCFC career, moving him into a tie with Tiyi Shipalane for the most in club history. 

– NCFC completed a season sweep of NYRB II. NCFC is 6W-1L-0D against the teams who entered this week in the top four spots in the Eastern Conference (Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Nashville SC, NYRB II, Tampa Bay Rowdies). 

– NCFC improved to 11W-0L-2D when leading at halftime. 

– Robbie Kristo, Steven Miller and Yamikani Chester appeared as substitutes for NCFC. 

Looking Ahead 

After traveling to face Nashville SC on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET, NCFC returns home for its regular-season finale as it hosts Saint Louis FC on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:00 p.m. ET for Fan Appreciation and Hamilton Night. The team will also celebrate the career of team captain Austin da Luz, who is retiring following the season. For tickets and information please visit www.www.northcarolinafc.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Box Score:

NCFC (4-1-4-1): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen ©, Sam Brotherton, Alex Comsia, DJ Taylor; Graham Smith; Ben Speas (Steven Miller, 65’), Dre Fortune, Nazmi Albadawi, Manny Perez (Yamikani Chester, 89’); Donovan Ewolo (Robert Kristo, 37’)
 
Subs not used: Darrin McLeod, Austin da Luz, Victor Igbekoyi, Caleb Duvernay
 
NY (4-4-2): Evan Louro; John Tolkin (Janos Loebe, 73’), Preston Kilwien (Allen Yanes, 65’), Jordan Scarlett, Rece Buckmaster; Chris Lema ©, Jean Koffi (Ben Mines, 81’), Vincent Bezecourt, Jared Stroud; Mathias Jorgensen, Tom Barlow
 
Subs not used:  Rashid Nuhu, Kyle Zajec, Sean McSherry, Sebastian Elney,
 
Score:
NCFC: 1
NY: 0

Goals:
NCFC: Donovan Ewolo (Unassisted, 7’), Robert Kristo (Nazmi Albadawi, 50’)
NY:
                                                                                                                                         Cautions:
NCFC: —
NY: Preston Kilwien 7’, Jordan Scarlett 87’

Ejections:
NCFC: —
NY: —

Attendance: 4,293

Game: North Carolina FC vs NY Red Bulls II

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019

Kickoff time: 7:00 p.m.

Box Office Opens: 2:00 p.m.

Parking Lot Opens: 3:00 p.m.

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Parking: $10 general admission (cash/electronic)/$15 VIP (in advance)

Red & Blue Express: https://www.nccourage.com/express

Tickets: bit.ly/NCvNYtix l First 300 to donate five canned items to NCFC food drive with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and Aetna receive a free ticket

Location: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Watch: WRAL2 l ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvNY

Game: North Carolina FC vs NY Red Bulls II

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2019

Kickoff time: 7:00 p.m.

Box Office Opens: 2:00 p.m.

Parking Lot Opens: 3:00 p.m.

Gates Open: 6:00 p.m.

Parking: $10 general admission (cash/electronic)/$15 VIP (in advance)

Red & Blue Express: https://www.nccourage.com/express

Tickets: bit.ly/NCvNYtix l First 300 to donate five canned items to NCFC food drive with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and Aetna receive a free ticket

Location: Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

Watch: WRAL2 l ESPN+ bit.ly/WatchNCvNY