NASL North Carolina FC

North Carolina FC Aims to Keep Momentum with Trip to Jacksonville

May 26, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
North Carolina FC News Release


North Carolina FC (4W-2D-2L, 14 pts, 2nd place) carries its positive momentum to Jacksonville, Fla., for a matchup against the Jacksonville Armada (3W-4D-1L, 13 pts, 3rd place) on Sunday, May 28 at 4 p.m. at Hodges Stadium. NCFC looks to remain in the title hunt, sitting just three points back from the top of the table.

NCFC has won six of its last seven matches and is outscoring opponents 17-7 over the stretch. Matt Fondy, Lance Laing, Jon Orlando, Billy Schuler, Tiyi Shipalane and Brian Shriver, have all scored in the past week.

The team's recent run of form will be tested against a stingy defense at a tough venue. The Armada have allowed a league low six goals in 2017 and Hodges Stadium has been a dead zone for scoring with only five goals scored at the venue this season.

The two teams have met once this season. NCFC topped the Armada 3-1 at Sahlen's Stadium with a brace from Laing and a goal from James Marcelin on Saturday, May 13. North Carolina FC has historically had Jacksonville's number, going unbeaten in its last five matches against the Armada. NCFC is 5W-2L-1D all time against the hosts in NASL play.

Last Time Out: NCFC defeated Puerto Rico 2-1 on the road last Saturday. After falling behind, Matt Fondy headed home the equalizer and Billy Schuler scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time. NCFC moved to second in the table with the win.

Players to Watch: #9 Matt Fondy Fondy has two goals and three assists in his last two matches. He scored and added an assist in the team's away win at Puerto Rico FC last Saturday, while scoring and dishing out two assists in Open Cup action against the Carolina Dynamo last Wednesday. He was named to the NASL Team of the Week for his play against PRFC, making his third appearance on the team of the week this season.

#23 Zach Steinberger Steinberger recently led the Armada to a 3-0 win over San Francisco, recording two goals and an assist in the victory. His play earned him NASL Player of the Week honors and brings him to four goals this season.

Coming Up Next: NCFC will continue its Open Cup and NASL campaigns next week. The team will host a pair of opponents at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, welcoming the Charlotte Independence in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. and the New York Cosmos on Sunday, June 4 at 4 p.m.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics



North American Soccer League Stories from May 26, 2017


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