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USL North Carolina FC

NCFC Unable to Score against Charlotte Independence Despite 60 Percent Possession

August 26, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


Cary, NC - North Carolina FC fell 1-0 to the Charlotte Independence tonight despite possessing the ball for 60% of the match. The loss marked the first time NCFC has been defeated by the Independence in seven matches.

In the 30th minute, Barry gets one of the best looks on goal of the match and forces a save by Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller. A string of passes near the box gave Barry the open window for a bending shot that caused the diving save.

The game went into halftime scoreless in Matthews. NCFC had eight shots, 306 passes, and a 91.8% passing accuracy in the first half.

Charlotte Independence's Dane Kelly sent a long ball across the field towards the box in the 59th minute to set up the first and only goal of the match. Rey Ortiz flicked the ball up to himself and volleyed the ball into the back of the net in one quick motion to score.

Robert Kristo nearly tied up the match in the 80th minute with a quick turn and a shot just wide of the net. Kristo had Miller out of position but could not get the ball on frame.

Seconds before the final whistle, Manny Perez played a ball across the box that could've resulted in the equalizer. DJ Taylor was near the goal line but unable to tap the ball in the direction of the net in what was the last play of the match.

Up Next: North Carolina FC will play on Saturday, August 29 at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park against Memphis 901 FC. The game will start at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN+ and WRAL-2.

Notes:

North Carolina FC Youth Academy products Nazmi Albadawi, Conor Donovan, and DJ Taylor started the match. Manny Perez came in as a second-half substitution.

Despite the result, NCFC has outscored Charlotte 15 goals to five goals in the last seven matches between the teams.

Box Score:

CLT (4-4-2): Brandon Miller; Joel Johnson, Hugh Roberts, Aaron Maund, Duke Lacroix; Luke Haakenson (Valentin Sabella, 45'), Brunallergene Etou, Jake Areman, Rey Ortiz (Clay Dimick, 84'); Dane Kelly (Tresor Mbuyu, 84'), Enzo Martinez (c)

Subs Not Used: Guido Vadala, Oscar Ramsay, Austin Pack, Shalom Dutey

NC: (4-5-1): Alex Tambakis; DJ Taylor, Conor Donovan, Sam Brotherton, Akeem Ward; Pecka (Daniele Proch, 70'), Graham Smith, Steven Miller (Ben Speas, 68'), Nazmi Albadawi ©, Hadji Barry (Manny Perez, 84'), Marios Lomis (Robert Kristo, 70')

Subs Not Used: Dre Fortune, Alex Comsia, Paolo Pita

Score:

CLT: 1

NC: 0

Goals:

CLT: Rey Ortiz (Dane Kelly, 59')

NC: --

Cautions:

CLT: --

NC: Akeem Ward (42'), Pecka (68')

Ejections:

CLT: --

NC: --

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 26, 2020


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