North Carolina FC Set for Key Battle at Louisville City FC
Published on October 8, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, N.C. - North Carolina FC will face Louisville City FC on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Louisville Slugger Field in another important match with the end of the regular season quickly approaching. The game was originally scheduled to be played in March, but inclement weather forced the game to be rescheduled.
NCFC is tightly locked in a battle to qualify for the 2018 USL playoffs and with just two games left, the team's goals are still in reach. NCFC is in 10th place in the USL Eastern Conference with 44 points, but can still climb as high as fifth place, pending other results around the conference. A tightly-bunched middle of the pack has created a difficult situation to predict, but following midweek games around the league, the results will be much clearer heading into the regular season finale.
North Carolina is set to face a Louisville side that is performing well this season and currently sits in second with 60 points and a playoff spot already clinched.
Louisville is on a five-match unbeaten streak, while outscoring opposition 16-4 during the run. The teams previously met in Cary, playing out to a 2-2 draw in June. Despite Louisville holding a 2-1 advantage late in the match, an 87th-minute goal from Daniel Rios helped NCFC earn a point.
Since the previous meeting, Louisville has changed head coaches. John Hackworth took charge on Aug. 2 and has only lost once, compiling a record of 7W-1L-3D.
Last Time Out:
NCFC fell 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls. Despite having the better of play for much of the match, NCFC couldn't break down a packed-in Red Bulls defense who scored the game-winning goal against the run of play.
Players To Watch:
North Carolina FC - No. 10 Kyle Bekker
The North Carolina FC midfielder has been the key player for NCFC the last few games. The Canadian even donned the captain's armband late in the team's last game against New York. Bekker has tallied seven goals and 12 assists, including three goals and an assist in the last two games.
Louisville City FC - No. 9 Cameron Lancaster
With 22 goals to his name, Lancaster's production speaks for itself. The striker is leading the USL Golden Boot race and will look to add to his tally against NCFC. Lancaster is a Tottenham Hotspur Academy product and has been with Louisville since 2015.
Up Next:
The regular season finale will come down to the North Carolina Derby between North Carolina FC and Charlotte Independence. The two sides will continue the heated rivalry on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex at Matthews. With a win, North Carolina FC will win the Southern Derby Cup and will help its playoff hopes tremendously.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 8, 2018
- Nashville SC, Predators Partner to Serve at Preston Taylor Ministries - Nashville SC
- Indy Eleven Forward Soony Saad Called up for International Duty - Indy Eleven
- LA Galaxy II prepare for last game of the 2018 season - LA Galaxy II
- Penn FC to Join USL League One in 2020 - Penn FC
- North Carolina FC Set for Key Battle at Louisville City FC - North Carolina FC
- Penn FC to Clash against New York Red Bulls II - Penn FC
- Defender Shaun Francis, Midfielder Devon "Speedy" Williams Called up by Jamaica Football Federation - Louisville City FC
- Playoff Clinching Scenario for Nashville SC on Tuesday Night - Nashville SC
- Energy FC Has Two Players Called up to National Teams - OKC Energy FC
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