USL North Carolina FC

North Carolina FC Returns Home to Face Penn FC

Published on April 27, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - North Carolina FC will continue its USL season on Saturday, April 28 at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m. with a match against Penn FC. The contest will provide NCFC another big opportunity to gain points and climb up the USL Eastern Conference standings. NCFC enters the match undefeated in its last three games, getting a win and two draws on the road.

The team will look to keep its undefeated streak alive against a defensively sound Penn FC squad. The visitors enter the contest with four points from four consecutive draws. Most recently, Penn FC hosted Nashville SC on Wednesday night and drew 0-0.

Prior to rebranding ahead of the 2018 season, Penn FC was known as the Harrisburg City Islanders. The organization boasts a lengthy soccer history and has reached the USL Cup finals three different times and won the championship in 2007. However, following a playoff finals appearance in 2014, the team has failed to reach the playoffs in each of the last three seasons.

NCFC will aim to keep its positive momentum behind a red-hot Daniel Rios. The Chivas Guadalajara loanee has scored a team-leading three goals for NCFC. Fellow forward, Marios Lomis, is also finding form and has scored a goal and added two assists early in the season.

NCFC's defense has been strong as of late, securing two shutouts in its last three matches. Along the backline Futty Danso has been a star. In addition to playing every minute of every game, he featured on the USL Team of the Week for Week 5 with a standout game to help the club clinch its first win of the season, defeating the Charlotte Independence 2-0.

Last Time Out:

North Carolina FC ended its three-match road trip with a 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury FC in a highly-contested match. Daniel Rios opened the scoring for NCFC with a goal in the 36th minute of play. However, Ottawa struck in the 86th minute via a goal from Cristian Portilla.

Players to Watch

No. 29 Tommy Heinemann

Heinemann is a new signing to Penn FC, but familiar to NCFC. He spent the 2010 season in Cary where he scored six goals in 12 appearances. He most recently played for 2017 NASL Champions San Francisco Deltas where he scored 10 goals en route to a championship. He's off to quick start and has already scored one goal this season for Penn FC. Look for Heinemann to be a dangerous attacking threat for the NCFC defense.

No. 31 Steven Miller

Miller has been one of NCFC's most reliable players this season, filling in as a midfielder and on the backline as needed. He's also scored NCFC's first goal of the season with a strike against Tampa on March 17. The versatile playmaker will look to help the squad continue its undefeated run.

Coming Up Next

Following the match with Penn FC, North Carolina FC will enter a bye week and resume its season on May 16 at home with a second-round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against a to-be-determined opponent. NCFC will resume USL play with a visit to FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. at Nippert Stadium. The club will return to Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park to host Atlanta United 2 on Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 27, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central