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USL North Carolina FC

Week 9 Preview: NCFC vs Rhode Island FC

May 3, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC News Release


CARY, N.C. - North Carolina FC return to WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, May 4, for a first-ever matchup with USL Championship newcomer Rhode Island FC in Week 9 of the 2024 USL Championship regular season. The match is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcasted locally on COZI TV.

Bring out your Jedi robes and best references from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away as NCFC celebrate Star Wars Night, presented by the Governor's Institute. Tickets are available here and May the 4th be with you.

NCFC enter the Week 9 tilt at 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 1-4-3 (6 points) record, while Rhode Island sit just above in 11th with a 1-2-4 (7 points) record.

Saturday's game will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams as Rhode Island embark on their maiden campaign, joining the USL Championship this season after being announced in 2019.

NCFC fell, 2-1, at Indy Eleven in Week 8, with Louis Perez's second goal of the season splitting a pair of set-piece goals from the hosts. Rafa Mentzingen picked up his second assist in as many games with a stellar ball to Perez at the first post.

Perez has been a creative engine for NCFC with the midfielder's 19 chances created and 20 successful crosses both ranking third in the USL Championship. Mentzingen's eight successful open play crosses are tied for third most in the league.

Team captain Paco Craig has been the rock at the center of NCFC's defense, with the center back's 31 aerial duels won ranking as the third most in the league.

Scouting Rhode Island

Rhode Island are led by first-time Head Coach Khano Smith, a former Bermudian player who had stints with multiple MLS teams and should be a familiar name for soccer fans in North Carolina.

Smith ended his college career with Lees-McRae College, a Division II school in Banner Elk, N.C., and played for Carolina Dynamo, now known as NC Fusion, in the USL PDL before returning to Bermuda to begin his professional career.

During his time with the New England Revolution, Smith played against the then-Carolina RailHawks in the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal, helping knock the RailHawks out of the competition in their inaugural season. Smith also spent time as an assistant coach with the Orlando Pride in the NWSL.

Smith signed with the RailHawks ahead of the 2011 NASL season, but did not end up on the team's roster for the season.

Rhode Island's attack is spearheaded by 2023 USL Championship MVP and Golden Boot winner Albert Dikwa, who signed with the team from Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC this offseason. The Cameroonian striker already has three goals this season and will be the focal point of Rhode Island's attacking pushes.

Noah Fuson has been the creative engine behind Rhode Island's scoring with a team-leading three assists. Fuson signed with the team from Columbus Crew's MLS Next Pro team, where he had 20 goals and nine assists in 4,392 minutes across two seasons.

Former San Diego Loyal goalkeeper Koke Vegas started the season in net for Rhode Island, but suffered an injury in the team's second game and Jackson Lee has played every minute between the sticks since. While he has yet to return to the lineup, Vegas has returned to the team's matchday squad since his injury. Lee has made 15 saves and allowed eight goals in 460 minutes.

Next Up

North Carolina FC will host 2023 USL Championship winner Phoenix Rising in the Round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Tickets for the battle between the 2023 USL Championship and USL League One winners are available.

Check out the North Carolina FC Statistics

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