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North Carolina FC to Make ESPN + Debut in Reignited Rivalry with Charlotte Independence

April 12, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - It will be a big weekend for North Carolina FC as the club makes its ESPN + debut and revamps its heated rivalry with the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex at Matthews.

The digital broadcast home for the USL has moved to ESPN +, as the league has partnered with the ESPN family of networks and expanded its national reach with the move. All of North Carolina FC's USL matches will be available on the streaming subscription service in the United States, while home games will additionally be available on local television. Click here for more information on the USL's move to ESPN +.

The club will enter the contest with its sights set on another feisty battle with Charlotte. The teams have meet regularly in the preseason and in each of the last three years in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches. While the battles have been heated, NCFC has enjoyed the better record in the meetings with a 5-0 record-setting win in 2016 and a 4-1 victory in 2017 - both wins ended Charlotte's run in the Open Cup.

Looking deeper into the rivalry, Raleigh and Charlotte have enjoyed professional soccer matchups since the 1990s when the Raleigh Flyers and Charlotte Eagles - now a PDL team - played each other in the U.S. Interregional Soccer League (USISL).

The first official matchup of the year in the series is set to be no different, as NCFC sets it sights on a positive result. The preseason meeting has already been fruitful for NCFC, as the club earned a 1-0 victory over Charlotte on Feb. 25.

"Obviously, we take things one game at a time, but this one is marked on our calendar," said NCFC defender Steven Miller. "It's a rivalry and we love to hate them and they love to hate us. Every game is tough when we play against them. It's always entertaining and a dogfight. It's amplified with the results last weekend for both teams. It's going to be tough, but we're looking forward to it."

"No matter who we are playing, it's important," added NCFC Head Coach Colin Clarke. "We've played three games and had good performances over long periods of time, but not the victory we feel we've deserved or warranted. This game adds a little bit of extra spice. It'll be a good place to go and get our first points."

NCFC will look for those points against an Independence team that is off to a quick start in USL play. The club currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings with seven points. Despite coming off a loss last weekend, the team is buoyed by an impressive attacking unit that has already scored eight goals through four matches.

Last Time Out:

The Indy Eleven escaped with a 1-0 result in NCFC's last match. In dreadful weather conditions, Indy scored an early goal off a turnover and survived a strong push from NCFC throughout the rest of the match. NCFC held nearly 70-percent of possession, hit the post twice and had a penalty saved in the dying moments of the match, as Indy took the points.

Players To Watch:

No. 9 Eamon Zayed

Zayed is no stranger to NCFC after he played for the Indy Eleven the last two seasons. The forward is a proven goal scorer and has posted double-figures in goals scored each of the last two years. While Zayed hasn't featured for the Independece yet, he'll hope to acclimate quickly to his new team and find a spot on the pitch. Look for Zayed's physicality and knack for finishing to impact the match.

No. 6 Austin da Luz

Da Luz is one of NCFC's most tenured players in club history. The experienced midfielder and team co-captain can provide a spark at any moment through distribution or the attack. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native is completing 82.9 percent of his passes and is among the team leaders in key passes completed. Watch for the veteran to make an impact on the match through his multi-faceted approach to the game.

Coming Up Next:

North Carolina FC will face a nearly week-long road trip to Canada with two matches over the course of four days. NCFC will face Toronto FC II on Wednesday, April 18 before playing Ottawa Fury on Saturday, April 21.

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