Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs. Union Omaha
Saturday, August 20 at 8 p.m. ET
Werner Park
Papillon, NE
CARY, NC (August 18, 2022) – North Carolina FC return to action with a pair of matches on the road, kicking off the trip in Nebraska as the squad faces Union Omaha for the second time this season and improve their away record. The match is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET at Werner Park in Papillon, NE, and will be available to stream live on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
North Carolina FC fell to the visiting Central Valley Fuego FC last Saturday, a single goal deciding the match result. Goalkeeper Nick Holliday recorded his fifth start of the season, making three saves throughout the match to bring his total to 12. A physical battle throughout the full 90 and into stoppage time, the contest saw seven yellow cards administered amongst the two sides. Nathan Smith tallied the goal for Central Valley Fuego.
“I didn’t think in the first half that we competed anywhere near the level that is required to win a game,” said Head Coach John Bradford following the match. “The guys showed some character to continue to push forward and obviously create some decent chances, and a lot of these chances that we’re having are good crosses, guys open in the eighteen, and not being able to convert. These are chances that we need to be able to convert to win soccer games.”
Central Valley Fuego scored the lone goal of the contest in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a cross from Villyan Bijev to gain the upper hand over the North Carolina side. Finding Smith at the back post, the defender was able to tap home a one-timer on Bijev’s service, scoring his second goal of the season. NCFC worked to generate an opportunity at an equalizer, nearly netting a goal in the 82nd minute behind a close-range shot from Jaden Servania that was blocked by the Fuego goalkeeper. Later, in the 92nd minute, a second chance to tie the game came at the hands of a cross from Showkat Tahir and subsequent header from Shak Adams, whose redirection narrowly missed the net as time expired and Fuego picked up three points.
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #19 Garrett McLaughlin
Setting a new career high in goals scored against Forward Madison last week, McLaughlin has consistently been one of the league’s leading scorers throughout the season, and is currently deadlocked in a two-way tie for the third highest number of goals scored this year. The striker has converted three penalty kicks, recorded two assists and nine key passes whilst maintaining 56.7% shooting accuracy through 19 appearances with the club. The Oklahoma City, OK native will look to challenge the Omaha backline and add to his goal tally on the season in the North Carolina side’s second meeting with the Owls.
Union Omaha – #7 Noe Meza
Meza has tallied a goal in back-to-back matches for Omaha, first scoring against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and most recently collecting a goal against the Charlotte Independence on Wednesday night. The forward has also recorded four assists and 18 key passes, a driving force for Omaha’s attack. Meza will look to help Omaha to their second consecutive win in a week on Saturday, utilizing his technical abilities and lethality in the final third to lead the Owls to three points.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will continue their road trip against Forward Madison FC on Wednesday, August 24 at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, WI at 8 p.m. ET. The match will be available to stream live on ESPN+.
