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North Carolina FC

First Team in the Triangle to Return to Play at Home, North Carolina FC Takes on Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday

July 30, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC - North Carolina FC returns to Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park this Saturday, August 1 at 7 p.m. ET against Birmingham Legion FC. NCFC's return to their home pitch comes 164 days after the team's home opener against Louisville City FC. The match will air on WRAL-2 and ESPN+.

On June 24, the USL announced a plan to return-to-play which allowed teams to host home games. Saturday will be North Carolina FC's first chance to return to the pristine pitch of their home field, making them the first team in the Triangle to be able to host a home game amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We love our field," said NCFC midfielder Dre Fortune. "We are really looking forward to getting out there and we are looking for three points."

North Carolina FC's last match was July 17 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, as their July 23 match against Charlotte Independence was postponed until August. Against the Rowdies, North Carolina FC scored two goals in the second half to earn the 2-2 draw. Robert Kristo and Fortune were the goal scorers. DJ Taylor had an assist.

"We are getting sharper and getting clearer ideas of the group," said NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan heading into the Birmingham match. "Overall a good team shape throughout the 90 minutes is going to be important on Saturday."

Both North Carolina FC and Birmingham Legion FC are in Group G of the USL. Birmingham currently leads the group with 7 points over three games. The team is coming off a draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, July 25. Defender Alex Cognale scored Birmingham's goal, connecting on a free kick that was taken right outside the box.

Players to Watch Presented by Aetna:

North Carolina FC- #8 Dre Fortune

Now in his fourth season with NCFC, Fortune has been a playmaker so far in 2020. He scored the team's first goal of 2020 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and created several chances throughout the match. He has played 107 minutes total in the first two games of NCFC's season.

Birmingham Legion FC- #21 Alex Crognale

Birmingham's defender scored the team's only goal in their last match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Crognale was named to the USL's Team of the Week after scoring the goal and completing 45 of his 56 passes during the game.

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