Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs. FC Tucson
Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park
Cary, NC
CARY, NC (August 26, 2022) – North Carolina FC returns to their home stadium on Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m. ET to take on the visiting FC Tucson for the second time this season. The squad will be hosting a school supply drive ahead of the match, with all donations benefiting Tools 4 Schools. Fans can bring their donations to WakeMed Soccer Park before kickoff.
Tickets to the match are available here, and more information about the supply drive can be found here. The game will also be available to stream on ESPN+.
Last Time Out
North Carolina FC drew with Forward Madison on the road on Wednesday night at Breese Stevens Field, wrapping up their six-day road trip. Will Pulisic recorded the clean sheet, putting up a solid performance between the posts and making several impressive saves. Seven yellow cards were administered amongst the two sides throughout the match, indicative of the overall physicality of the competition. Despite their tenacity in hunting for the match winner, NCFC were unable to find the back of the net as the tilt concluded in a scoreless tie, bringing the season series to 1-0-1.
Following a first half oriented by counterattacks, the two sides concluded the first 45 minutes deadlocked at 0-0. Forward Madison began their offensive push early, earning a number of corner kicks in quick succession to challenge the NCFC defensive line. Weathering the attack, however, were centerbacks Jordan Skelton and Gustavo Fernandes, who strung together several key plays to deny Madison a clear shot on goal. As the first half wore on, the North Carolina side were able to create a handful of chances, relying on quick interplay from Garrett McLaughlin, Jaden Servania, Showkat Tahir and Shak Adams in transition.
NCFC found their form late in the second half, making a final push for the game-winner. A series of corner kicks drawn by the combined efforts of McLaughlin and Christian Lue Young tested the Forward Madison goalkeeper, who was twice required to make a stop within the six yard box to keep NCFC off of the scoreboard. As the final minutes ticked away, the points were shared as neither side were able to convert the difference maker.
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #5 Jordan Skelton
The captain played an integral role in Wednesday night’s draw against Forward Madison, executing several key blocks to deny Madison’s forwards several scoring opportunities. The Newcastle, England native has appeared in 20 matches for the North Carolina side this season, featuring in the starting lineup in each appearance, and has led USL League One in clearances consistently throughout the season. Also contributing to the NCFC attack, Skelton has recorded five shots on target, an assist, and two key passes, and will look to repeat his contributions on both sides of the ball as FC Tucson comes to town.
FC Tucson – #13 Louis Pérez
Pérez has scored three goals and added an impressive six assists for Tucson this season, scoring a game-winning goal in Tucson’s last win against Northern Colorado Hailstorm on August 17. Across the Arizona side’s last two contests, Pérez won 14 duels, made 15 recovered and generated three scoring chances, and similar to NCFC captain Skelton, the midfielder is a threat on both sides of the ball. Looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss against the Greenville Triumph, Pérez will look to tally his fourth goal of the season as FC Tucson makes the trip to Cary.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will travel to face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Saturday, September 3 at 9 p.m. ET at Severance High School in Severance, CO. The match will be available to stream live on ESPN+.
