Chicago Fire FC II Falls to Carolina Core FC at Truist Point

Published on May 16, 2026 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chicago Fire FC II News Release

Chicago Fire FC II forward Vitaliy Hlyut vs. Carolina Core FC
(Chicago Fire FC II)

Chicago started the match creating early pressure and controlling stretches of possession. Darris Hyte opened up the scoring in the 40th minute, giving CFII a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Carolina responded quickly at the start of the second half, leveling the match with a header from Tim Zeegers in the 49th minute, before Mohamed Diakite completed Carolina's turnaround in the 54th minute, sealing the score at 2-1.

Momentum shifted again in the 57th minute when Carolina was reduced to 10 men following a red card served to Jair Caiza, giving the Fire a man advantage for the remaining second half. Chicago pushed relentlessly in search of an equalizer, generating sustained pressure and multiple late chances through stoppage time, but Carolina held on through 11 minutes of added time.

NEXT MATCH: Chicago Fire FC II will return to SeatGeek Stadium for a rematch against Huntsville City FC on Saturday, May 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. The match can be streamed across the globe on OneFootball and MLSNEXTPro.com.

Social: X - @ChicagoFireFCII (Hashtags: #ChicagoFireII) | Instagram - @chicagofirefcii | Facebook

Box Score:

Carolina Core FC 2:1 Chicago Fire FC II

Goals:

CHI - Hyte (2) (Hlyut 2, Turdean 1) (WATCH) 40'

CCFC - Zeegers (1) (Lundeen 1) (WATCH) 49'

CCFC - Diakite (1) (Lundeen 2) (WATCH) 54'

Discipline:

CCFC - Zerkane (Caution) 32'

CHI - Berg (Caution) 45' +1

CCFC - Caiza (Ejection) 57'

CHI - Hyte (Caution) 82'

CCFC - Holliday (Caution) 90+7'

Chicago Fire FC II: GK Nemo Jr., D Damian, D Cupps (capt.), D Berg, D Chavez (Villanueva, 69'), M Hlyut (Napoe, 61'), M Pineda, M Turdean (Clark, 80'), M Nagle, M Hyte, F Boltz (Diawara, 61')

Substitutes not used: GK Pratt, D González, M Bernhardt

Head Coach: Mike Matkovich

Carolina Core FC: GK Holliday, D Martínez, D Yepes, D Diakite, D Caiza, M Sumo Jr. (D Colon, 62'), M Zeegers (capt.) (Rockhill, 90+2'), M Aguirre (Lundeen, 46'), M Zerkane (Diaz, 35'), M Raimbault (Montenegro, 46'), F Tattevin (Alenga, 80')

Substitutes not used: GK Jackson, F Pineda, F Jon

Head Coach: Donovan Ricketts

Stats Summary: CCFC / CHI

Shots: 13 / 17

Shots on Goal: 5 / 7

Passing Accuracy: 80.4% / 85%

Saves: 6 / 3

Corners: 6 / 14

Fouls: 7 / 10

Offsides: 2 / 1

Venue: Truist Point (High Point, N.C.)

Referee: Izlen Peksenar

Assistant Referee 1: Noah Kenyawani

Assistant Referee 2: Paige Bell

Fourth Official: Yannick Rothfuss

Chicago Fire FC II forward Vitaliy Hlyut vs. Carolina Core FC

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