USL North Carolina FC

North Carolina FC Drops Tight Contest against Indy Eleven

Published on August 3, 2019 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - Despite a strong second-half performance, North Carolina FC came up just short Saturday evening, dropping a 2-1 result against Indy Eleven at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

With the defeat, NCFC finds itself in fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference after losing on its home ground for the first time this season.

"We created enough chances," NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan said. "We get the goal, and I think we could have had one or two more to be fair. I didn't think they threatened a lot in the second half. And yet, they made a play."

After both teams settled into the game in the match's opening minutes, Indy opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a long-distance strike by midfielder Matt Watson, a former Carolina RailHawk.

Despite conceding early, NCFC remained composed in its performance and in the attack. In the 39th minute, midfielder Yamikani Chester forced Indy goalkeeper Evan Newton into an uncomfortable, diving save at his near post.

Down a goal at the halftime break, NCFC proceeded to outshoot Indy Eleven 15-6 in the second half. A dangerous ball played in by midfielder Ben Speas on a corner kick found forward Donovan Ewolo in the 57th minute, but the Cameroonian striker's effort went right at the opposing goalkeeper.

NCFC's breakthrough eventually came in the 69th minute, as midfielder Dre Fortune took a pass from left back Aaron Guillen and brilliantly curled his shot into the upper right corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

With the newly arrived Justin Rennicks on as a substitute for his debut after coming on loan from the New England Revolution, NCFC continued to push, this time for a go-ahead goal. However, it was Indy that scored the game's decisive goal, as Ilija Ilic put away Tyler Gibson's service.

Despite a late push, NCFC couldn't find a second goal, as it lost at home for the first time this season.

Notes

- Midfielder Dre Fortune scored his fourth goal of the season, moving him into a two-way tie for the fourth-most on the team.

- Saturday's loss ends NCFC's unbeaten run at home, a streak that spanned 10 matches to start the USL Championship season (6W-0L-4D).

- Justin Rennicks, a 20-year-old forward, made his NCFC debut, coming on a substitute in the 83rd minute. The U.S. U-20 Men's National Team standout arrived on loan through the end of the season from the New England Revolution on Thursday.

- At halftime, NCFC honored Robert Screen of NCFC U23, an NCFC Academy product, as this year's Farouk Bseiso Award winner. The award recognizes a player that has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to the success of NCFC U23. Screen, a player at the University of Kentucky, led NCFC U23 this past season in scoring with five goals.

- NCFC's youth-to-pro pipeline was clearly illustrated Saturday, as NCFC Academy products DJ Taylor, Manny Perez and Dre Fortune were named in the starting lineup, as was former NCFC U23 standout Nazmi Albadawi. Caleb Duvernay, an NCFC Academy standout, was named to the bench.

- NCFC won the corner kick battle 11-3.

Looking Ahead

NCFC will hit the road to take on Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 8:30 p.m. ET at AutoZone Park. NCFC drew 1-1 at home against Memphis on April 13 in the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. NCFC returns home to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7:00 p.m. For tickets and information please visit NorthCarolinaFC.com or call the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

Box Score:

NCFC (4-2-3-1): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen ©, Sam Brotherton, Victor Igbekoyi. Victor Igbekoyi; Nazmi Albadawi (Justin Rennicks, 83'), Dre Fortune; Yamikani Chester (Robert Kristo, 89'), Ben Speas, Manny Perez (Graham Smith, 46'); Donovan Ewolo

Subs not used: Darrin MacLeod, Duval Wapiwo, Austin da Luz, Caleb Duvernay

IND (4-5-1): Evan Newton; Lucas Farias, Paddy Barrett, Karl Ouimette, Neveal Hackshaw; Ayoze Garcia, Matt Watson © (Ilija Ilic, 80'), Tyler Gibson, Kenney Walker (Macauley King, 90+4'), Tyler Pasher; Dane Kelly (Thomas Enevoldsen, 81')

Subs not used: Jordan Farr, Kim Do-heon, Alioune Diakhate, Mitchell Osmond,

Score:

NCFC: 2

IND: 1

Goals:

NCFC: Dre Fortune (Aaron Guillen, 69')

IND: Matt Watson (Tyler Pasher, 15'), Ilija Ilic (Tyler Gibson, 87')

Cautions:

NCFC: Aaron Guillen 27', Nazmi Albadawi 43', Ben SPeas 90+4'

IND: Paddy Barrett 84'

Ejections:

NCFC: --

IND: --

Attendance: 4,393

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 3, 2019


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