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Match Recap: North Carolina FC Home Opener Ends in a 1-1 Draw with Miami FC

March 25, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, N.C. (March 25, 2017)- North Carolina FC (0W-1D-0L, 1 pt.) played to a 1-1 draw against Miami FC (0W-1D-0L, 1 pt.) at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night in the club's long-awaited regular season home opener. The club played an exciting, fast paced match that displayed their depth of talent.

"Overall, a good first game of the season, but we would have loved to have all three points," Head Coach Colin Clarke said. "We got the first goal of the season with a great crowd with a great atmosphere, so there were a lot of positives on the night."

Ready to get the season going and not wasting time, NCFC struck quickly, with a Matt Fondy goal in the 4th minute. Lance Laing found Fondy with a cross, and the striker put it away from the center of the box to give the club its first regular season goal.

Miami followed with their own goal just 10 minutes later, as Kwadwo Poku found his way down the middle of the field. NCFC goalkeeper, Brian Sylvestre, did well to block Poku's first attempt, but the following rebound slipped past Sylvestre.

Next, NCFC had a succession of free kicks, and while the club was close, they did not capitalize. North Carolina's next opportunity came in the 27th minute, as a set piece created movement around the net, but Albadawi's shot was ultimately blocked.

The rest of the half was a battle, as a staunch Sylvestre denied Miami of their opportunities; however, North Carolina was stonewalled as well.

NCFC returned to the second half in attack mode, looking to break the tie. Their first opportunity came in the 48th minute as Fondy came immensely close to scoring a second goal, as his header sailed just over the crossbar. Maintaining intensity, Nazmi Albadawi nearly scored as he sent in a shot from the top of the box.

Time and time again, NCFC had good looks, as they created havoc in front of Miami's net; however, Miami goalkeeper Mario Daniel Vega didn't allow a second goal. Overall, the clubs were on par, with 11 shots each throughout the match.

"The fans were amazing today, they always are," James Marcelin said. "We're frustrated because we couldn't win in front of the fans."

Next up: North Carolina FC will play at Kezar Stadium in their first-ever match against the San Francisco Deltas on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00 p.m. The club will return home for a April 15 matchup against FC Edmonton at 7:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Notes:

Matt Fondy scored his first goal of the season; he led the team in scoring last season with seven. Marcel Kandziora, Lance Laing and Christian Ibeagha made their North Carolina FC NASL regular season debuts. Laing had his first assist with the club. NCFC Goalkeeper, Brian Sylvestre, made four saves. The club had 11 shots on goal.

Boxscore:

NCFC 1

MIA 1

Starting lineups:

NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Steven Miller, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Paul Black; James Marcelin, Lance Laing (Marcel Kandziora, 42'), Austin da Luz (Billy Schuler, 87'), Nazmi Albadawi ©, Brian Shriver (Jonathon Orlando, 73'); Matt Fondy

Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Kareem Moses, Alex Molano, Bolu Akinyode

MIA: Mario Daniel Vega; Mason Trafford, Dylan Mares, Jaime Chavez (Jonny Steele, 79'), Kwadwo Poku (Vincenzo Rennella, 71'), Robert Baggio Kcira, Hunter Freeman, Mario Daniel Vega, Richie Ryan, Michael Lahoud ©, Gabriel Farfan, Stefano Pinho

Subs not used: Ryan Herman, Jonathan Borrajo, Ariel Martinez, Calvin Rezende, Lionel Brown

Goals:

NCFC: Fondy (Laing, 4')

MIA: Poku (Pinho, 14')

Cautions:

NCFC: Christian Ibeagha, 90+'

MIA: Gabriel Farfan, 18'; Hunter Freeman, 22', Stefanp Pinho 45+', Dylan Mares, 87'

Ejections:

NCFC: -- MIA: --

Attendance: 6,058

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