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North Carolina FC Battles Puerto Rico FC to Scoreless Draw

September 17, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


North Carolina FC Battles Puerto Rico FC to Scoreless Draw

CARY, N.C. (Sep. 16, 2017) - North Carolina FC couldn't break through a packed-in Puerto Rico defense and settled for a 0-0 draw with Puerto Rico FC on Saturday night at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. With the draw, the team remains in third place and in a current playoff position in the NASL combined standings with 33 points.

NCFC spent most of its time in front of the PRFC goal, but it couldn't find the target. The club outshot Puerto Rico 20-4 and posted a 55.8-44.2 percent advantage in possession, while dominating chances and time on the ball for long stretches of the match.

"We're playing some of the best soccer in these last four or five games that we've played in a long time," said NCFC Head Coach Colin Clarke. "I know they're frustrated in there but they're playing well and they believe they're good enough. We believe they're good enough to go win this championship. We have to continue to believe it and go to our next game in New York and look to get three points."

North Carolina seemed set for a quick start when Tiyi Shipalane's volley rattled the crossbar in the fourth minute. However, Puerto Rico would tighten up its defensive lines and shut out the home side for the rest of the half.

Following the break, NCFC's offense sparked back to life and created several strong chances. Shipalane continued his dangerous play on the wing and sent a cross towards Renan Gorne in the 52^nd minute. The Brazilian did well to put his shot on target, but he couldn't sneak the ball past PRFC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg who made the save.

In the 54^th minute, NCFC hit the woodwork for the second time of the night, as Lance Laing found a few feet of space and sent a hard-hit ball off the post and away from danger.

The club poured numbers forward in search of the elusive tally, but the PRFC defense dropped numbers back to keep the home side at bay. NCFC closed out the final part of the match with several good looks, but the side couldn't break through.

On the opposite side of the pitch, Brian Sylvestre had a quiet night in goal. The goalkeeper faced zero shots on target, while NCFC's defense handled PRFC's attack.

North Carolina FC will hit the road for another crucial match in the playoff race, as it travels to face the New York Cosmos on Saturday, Sep. 23 at MCU Park at 7 p.m. The club will return home to take on the Indy Eleven on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets are available online at NCFCTIX.com or over the phone by calling the North Carolina Football Club Ticket Office at 919.459.8144.

"We'll keep going," Clarke concluded. "We'll be fighting until the end. We've got six games left and we'll be looking to win them all."

Notes: * Brian Sylvestre earned his fourth shutout of the season * NCFC allowed a season low four shots including zero shots on target * NCFC was held scoreless for only the fifth time this season * The match was the first scoreless draw for NCFC in 2017

Box Score

Lineups NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; Paul Black, Connor Tobin, Christian Ibeagha, Steven Miller; Lance Laing (Alex Molano, 67'), Dre Fortune (Bolu Akinyode, 84'), Marcel Kandziora, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Tiyi Shipalane (Jonathan Glenn, 78'); Renan Gorne

Subs not used: Macklin Robinson, Austin da Luz, Matt Fondy, Kareem Moses

PRFC: Trevor Spangenberg; Kyle Culbertson, Ramon Soria, Seth Moses, Phanuel Kavita; Jordi Quintilla, Mario Martinez Rubio (Jorge Rivera, 75'), Jairo Puerto, Yuma ©; Hector Ramos (Jackie Marrero, 64'), Giuseppe Gentile (Sidney Rivera, 85')

Subs not used: Austin Pack, Rudy Dawson, Walter Ramirez

Score: NCFC: 0 PRFC: 0

Goals: NCFC: -- PRFC: -- Cautions: NCFC: Tiyi Shipalane (23') PRFC: Mario Martinez Rubio (59'), Seth Moses (72')

Ejections: NCFC: -- PRFC: -- Attendance: 5,027

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