Match Info:
North Carolina FC vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Friday, Apr. 21, at 7:00 p.m. ET | WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, NC
Broadcast: ESPN+
Social Media: @NorthCarolinaFC
CARY, N.C. (April 20, 2023) – Coming off its first ever victory over Union Omaha, North Carolina FC returns to Cary Friday, April 21, at 7:00 PM ET at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Last season Chattanooga fell to Tormenta FC in the USL League One Championship, but had four players sign with NCFC in the offseason. Similar to last weekend with Omaha, NCFC is in pursuit of its first ever victory over Chattanooga.
Scouting Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC had a rough start to the 2023 campaign, drawing their opener 0-0 with Northern Colorado and dropping the next match 1-0 to Central Valley Fuego. After going down 1-0 to One Knox, Chattanooga was able to rally in the final 30 minutes to pick up a 2-1 victory over its in-state rivals last weekend. Last season, Chattanooga won all three contests against NCFC, but several key players from Chattanooga last season signed with NCFC in the 2022/23 offseason.
Chattanooga has lined up in either a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 this season, and have struggled to find consistency with its attack. Its 11 total shots inside the box and 33 touches inside the box are both bottom in USL League One. Chattanooga have been a defensively solid team, only conceding twice this season, and only once from open play.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – Midfielder Louis Perez
Louis Perez made his NCFC debut off the bench in the 2-1 win over Lexington SC and has quickly become a key cog in NCFC’s attack. In his first two starts Perez saw USL League One Team of the Week honors. Against Charlotte, Perez created two chances and had 28 passes in the final third, while winning 15 of 18 duels. In the 2-1 road win over Union Omaha, he scored NCFC’s second goal of the match after a longshot deflected off an Omaha defender. Perez is a versatile creator who has lined up on the wing and through the middle in his career, and is adept at making line-breaking passes and finding his teammates in space.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC – Defender Mekeil Williams
The only Red Wolf to play every minute in the league this season, defender Mekeil Williams has been a clear standout for Chattanooga thus far. Williams joined Chattanooga this past offseason after spending two years with Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Championship. Williams has done it all for Chattanooga this season, leading the team in many stats, such as touches (234), interceptions (7), successful passes (160), clearances (23), and successful long passes (17). His comfortability on the ball in possession as well as his defensive prowess makes Williams a crucial member of Chattanooga’s tactics.
Next Up
North Carolina FC travels to the Palmetto State to take on Greenville Triumph SC next Saturday, April 29, at 7:00 PM ET. You can watch the match, and all 2023 USL League One matches on ESPN+. You can also follow all of the action on North Carolina FC social platforms (@NorthCarolinaFC).
