Penn FC Drops Points against North Carolina FC
September 16, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC's (9-11-8) road to the playoffs became more complicated after falling 1-0 to North Carolina FC (10-10-8) in an important match between playoff hopefuls Saturday night at FNB Field.
Both teams entered the match six points behinds eighth place and needing three points for a chance to increase their chances of making the playoffs. Penn FC took control of the first 10 minutes, pressing for the lead early. However, NCFC found an opening in the press in the 11th minute.
After winning possession in the midfield, NCFC sprung a counterattack. The pass forward took a fortunate bounce to forward Daniel Rios, who quickly fired a shot from the top of the box and into the net to give the visitors the lead.
The Blue and White continued to keep a handle on the match but, despite controlling possession and maintaining the edge in shots, the home side headed to the dressing room down at the half.
NCFC generated some momentum in the second half, threatening to double the lead a number of times after the break. Rush Soccer's First Team held firm, keeping the North Carolina attack at bay as Head Coach Raoul Voss' halftime substitutions of Walter RamÃrez and Isaac Osae started to make an impact.
RamÃrez and Osae helped spark attacking momentum for Penn FC midway through the second half, linking up well with Lucky Mkosana in the final third. However, with seven of the home side's eight offsides calls coming in the second half, the attack failed to establish a sustained rhythm up front.
Penn FC's closest chance to equalizing fell to RamÃrez in the 91st minute. After Aaron Dennis dribbled past a couple of NCFC defenders, he earned a foul at the edge of the box on the right wing. RamÃrez fired a knuckling shot towards the far post, forcing a quick save.
The loss keeps Penn FC at 11th in the Eastern Conference, six points away from the eighth and final playoff spot. With a match in hand over current eighth place side New York Red Bulls II, the Blue and White are still left with a fighting chance for playoff soccer this season.
Penn FC returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 19 to face Louisville City FC at FNB Field. Tickets for Wednesday's match as well as the rest of the homestand are available at pennfc.com/tickets.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 16, 2018
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