CARY, N.C. (August 20, 2018) – North Carolina FC will complete its three-game road trip by traveling to MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J., for a midweek clash with New York Red Bulls II on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This is the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
New York features a high-powered attack that leads the USL in shots and goals scored, with 52 goals on 436 shots. Red Bulls II excel at home where they have scored 41 goals in 13 matches (9W-3L-1D). However, this exciting brand of soccer can leave them susceptible to conceding goals as evidenced by the team’s thrilling 6-4 defeat at home to Louisville City FC in the last match. New York has given up 42 goals in its first 24 USL matches.
Despite the loss to Louisville City FC, Red Bulls II have earned points in six of its last eight matches to remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The team recently lost its second-highest scorer in forward Brian White, who signed an MLS contract with the Red Bulls first team on August 4. However, plenty of firepower remains in the lineup. Red Bulls II have scored four goals or more in seven of its 13 home matches.
NCFC enters the match on the heels of a 3-2 defeat to Indy Eleven that snapped a six-game unbeaten streak. The three goals given up were uncharacteristic of a defense that conceded just four goals during the streak. The team hopes to reclaim its defensive mojo against the dynamic New York attack.
NCFC wraps up the road trip with an opportunity to end it on a high note. A result in New York could move the team ever closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Last Time Out:
NCFC dropped a tough 3-2 result on the road against Indy Eleven last Wednesday night. The team fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first half to tie the match at 2-2, but surrendered the winner in the 90th minute of the match. NCFC was unbeaten in its last six coming into the match.
Players to Watch:
#36 Andrew Tinari
Tinari is in his second season with Red Bulls II following a four-year career at Columbia University, where he earned All-Ivy Team honors three years in a row. He leads the team in starts and appearances with 21 starts in 23 appearances thus far. The midfielder is one of the biggest threats in the New York attack. Tinari has seven goals and three assists this season, while leading the team with 74 chances created – double the number of chances created by any other Red Bulls II player. He scored the team’s opening goal in the last match against Louisville City FC.
#31 Steven Miller
Miller, one of the most experienced players on the NCFC roster, has been productive in his fourth season with the club. The versatile midfielder has two goals and three assists on the season. In addition, Miller ranks at or near the top of many defensive categories; proving to be a tremendous help to the NCFC backline. Miller sparked an important victory to begin a three-game road trip with an assist on the team’s opening goal in the 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Aug. 11. His versatility could be key against a strong New York Red Bulls II squad.
Coming Up Next:
NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park following the road trip to take on the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, August 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online, over the phone at 919-459-8144 or in person at the Coastal Credit Union Box Office.
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CARY, N.C. (August 20, 2018) – North Carolina FC will complete its three-game road trip by traveling to MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J., for a midweek clash with New York Red Bulls II on Tuesday at 7 p.m. This is the first-ever matchup between the two teams.
New York features a high-powered attack that leads the USL in shots and goals scored, with 52 goals on 436 shots. Red Bulls II excel at home where they have scored 41 goals in 13 matches (9W-3L-1D). However, this exciting brand of soccer can leave them susceptible to conceding goals as evidenced by the team’s thrilling 6-4 defeat at home to Louisville City FC in the last match. New York has given up 42 goals in its first 24 USL matches.
Despite the loss to Louisville City FC, Red Bulls II have earned points in six of its last eight matches to remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The team recently lost its second-highest scorer in forward Brian White, who signed an MLS contract with the Red Bulls first team on August 4. However, plenty of firepower remains in the lineup. Red Bulls II have scored four goals or more in seven of its 13 home matches.
NCFC enters the match on the heels of a 3-2 defeat to Indy Eleven that snapped a six-game unbeaten streak. The three goals given up were uncharacteristic of a defense that conceded just four goals during the streak. The team hopes to reclaim its defensive mojo against the dynamic New York attack.
NCFC wraps up the road trip with an opportunity to end it on a high note. A result in New York could move the team ever closer to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Last Time Out:
NCFC dropped a tough 3-2 result on the road against Indy Eleven last Wednesday night. The team fought back from a 2-0 deficit in the first half to tie the match at 2-2, but surrendered the winner in the 90th minute of the match. NCFC was unbeaten in its last six coming into the match.
Players to Watch:
#36 Andrew Tinari
Tinari is in his second season with Red Bulls II following a four-year career at Columbia University, where he earned All-Ivy Team honors three years in a row. He leads the team in starts and appearances with 21 starts in 23 appearances thus far. The midfielder is one of the biggest threats in the New York attack. Tinari has seven goals and three assists this season, while leading the team with 74 chances created – double the number of chances created by any other Red Bulls II player. He scored the team’s opening goal in the last match against Louisville City FC.
#31 Steven Miller
Miller, one of the most experienced players on the NCFC roster, has been productive in his fourth season with the club. The versatile midfielder has two goals and three assists on the season. In addition, Miller ranks at or near the top of many defensive categories; proving to be a tremendous help to the NCFC backline. Miller sparked an important victory to begin a three-game road trip with an assist on the team’s opening goal in the 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Aug. 11. His versatility could be key against a strong New York Red Bulls II squad.
Coming Up Next:
NCFC returns to Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park following the road trip to take on the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, August 25 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online, over the phone at 919-459-8144 or in person at the Coastal Credit Union Box Office.
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