Group Stage (Game 1): NCFC (4-3) Villarreal CF
North Carolina FC took the win over Villarreal CF, 4-3, in game one of The Soccer Tournament (TST) at WakeMed Soccer Park Friday afternoon. Captain Nazmi Albadawi scored the target-score winner for his second goal of the match, while Brian Farber also recorded a brace.
Farber scored early in the first half, splitting two defenders in the 4’ for the lead. An NCFC own goal tied the game in the 15’. Renan Gorne had a great look at goal just before half time, but his long-distance strike was saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Jorge Lozano Rives to keep things level at the break.
Villarreal was awarded a penalty just three minutes into the second half, which Jose Antonio Garcia Rabassco would convert for a 2-1 lead. NCFC answered in the 34’ when a shot from distance glanced off the crossbar, and Steven Miller was dragged down, fighting for the rebound to win a penalty. Albadawi buried the spot kick in the top right corner to tie the score up once again.
NCFC regained the lead just minutes later when a deep cross found Farber at the far post to head home for breathing room, entering target-score time. Villarreal’s Xisco Nadal drew things level to create a sudden-death scenario, but Albadawi quickly responded with the winning goal, securing the three points for NCFC.
NCFC Starters (2-3-1): William Vanzela, Sam Brotherton, Cory Elenio; Brian Shriver,Nazmi Albadawi ©, Jonny Orlando; Tommy Heinemann
NCFC Goals: B. Farber – 4’, 37’; N. Albadawi – 35’ (PK), 40+14’ (winner)
Up Next:
NCFC will be back at it against City Soccer Society tonight at 8 p.m. ET on field 4 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Group Stage (Game 2): NCFC (3-2) City Soccer Society
North Carolina FC defeated City Soccer Society FC (CSC), 3-2, in a fast-paced second game Group J played in The Soccer Tournament (TST) Wednesday night. Tommy Heinemann recorded a brace, including the target winner, to clinch a 2-0 day for NCFC and secure the team’s place in the knockout stage.
CSC’s Luis Peralta scored in the 1’ to put NCFC behind early. This goal was answered late in the first half with a swift assist in the 14’ from Nazmi Albadawi to Kraig Chiles, who finished the play to tie the score at 1-1. That scoreline would carry into halftime.
Heinemann started the second half with a bang, scoring his first goal of the night in the 22’ to put NCFC ahead, 2-1. Peralta struck again for CSC in the 32’ to once again level the score before target score time.
Vanzela was a wall in goal for NCFC early in target time, thwarting several CSC attempts in the first few minutes. Then, Heinemann seized the opportunity to score with a long-distance strike to clutch the win for NCFC.
North Carolina FC has already guaranteed a spot in the knockout round and will look for a perfect run through group play on Thursday when they face Como-Cagliari at 1 p.m. on field 3 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
NCFC Starters (2-3-1): William Vanzela, Sam Brotherton, Felipe G, Gonzalez; Brian Shriver, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Brian Farber; Tommy Heinemann
NCFC Goals: T. Heinemann – 22’, 40+2’; K. Chiles– 14’
Group Stage (Game 3): NCFC (1-3) Como-Cagliari
North Carolina FC fell to Como-Cagliari (1-3) in game three of The Soccer Tournament (TST) Thursday afternoon. This is NCFC’s first loss in the TST but they still have a guaranteed ticket to the knockout round.
A slow start for both teams in the first half kept the action minimal until a goal off the foot of Como-Caligliari’s Alessandro Bolzan found its way inside the post after a swift assist. This handed the advantage to Como-Cagliari at the 11’, 1-0. Brian Shriver later attempted a forceful header after Como-Cagliari’s goalkeeper lost possession, but Shriver could not outrun the ball before it rolled out of bounds.
NCFC trailed at the half, but a strike and assist from Nazmi Albadawi to Brian Farber was converted to a goal after a heeled kick snuck in at the 29’, evening the score. But, just minutes later at the 32’ a goal from Como’s Diego Marcolini would once again tilt the scales in their favor 2-1, after the ball nutmegged Ben Speas.
High emotions steered the game entering target-score time, but Como Cagliari’s Jacopo Simonetta quickly cut the match duration short when a switch kick to his left foot drove one into the goal for an NCFC loss 3-1 at the 40+3’.
NCFC Starters (2-3-1): Nic Platter; Kupono Low, G. Felipe Gonzalez; Ben Speas, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Cesar Elizondo; Kraig Chiles
NCFC Bench: Tommy Heinemann, Cory Elenio, Brian Farber, Jonny Orlando, Renan Gorne, Sam Brotherton, Steven Miller, Pecka, William Vanzela, Brian Shriver, Dylan Hundelt, George Acosta
NCFC Goals: Brian Farber – 29’
Knockout RD of 32 (Game 4): NCFC (2-1) Kwik Goal
North Carolina FC prevailed against Kwik Goal FC (2-1) in the first game of the Men’s Knockout Round for The Soccer Tournament (TST) Friday night. Felipe Gonzalez’s winning strike secured the team a spot in the Sweet 16.
Both teams had several opportunities to score in the first half but missed the mark. A deep strike from Kwik Goal’s Jonatas Melo landed inside the goal but bounced off the post in a close call for NCFC’s defense. Just before the first half’s conclusion, Kwik Goal took the lead after a shot from Dwayne De Rosario found a place inside the net at the 16′.
NCFC trailed behind in the second half, but an assist from Cesar Elizondo to Brian Shriver at the 22’ hopped over the goalkeeper’s dive for the ball, tying the game. Renan Gorne’s chance to create distance just before entering target score time struck the post again just before the clock reached 40’.
No goals were scored for the first 12′ of target score time, and the teams dropped to an intense 3v3 match that raised the stakes. However, this pressure was no match for Gonzalez, who turned a perfectly timed assist from Captain Nazmi Albadawi at the 12′ into a powerful right-foot swing that carried into the winning goal and another advancement for NCFC.
NCFC Starters (2-3-1): William Vanzela, Kupono Low, Steven Miller; Brian Shriver, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Cesar Elizondo; Tommy Heinemann.
NCFC Bench: Kraig Chiles, Brian Farber, Jonny Orlando, Cory Elenio, Renan Gorne, Sam Brotherton, G. Felipe Gonzalez, Wellington Paeckart, Nic Platter, Ben Speas, Dylan Hundelt, George Acosta.
NCFC Goals: Brian Shriver–22’, Felipe Gonzalez 12’ (winner)
Knockout RD of 16 (Game 5): NCFC (2-4) Sire Seven
North Carolina FC fell to Sire Seven (2-4) in the second round of knockout play for The Soccer Tournament (TST) Saturday afternoon. This match loss will conclude NCFC’s tournament play.
Bakary Sako drove in a goal at the 7’, hitting the top right corner of the net– progressing Sire 1-0. Tommy Heinemann had a close shot, but it was defended despite the goalkeeper being off the line. Sam Brotherton took a deep strike at the 13’ to tie the game, but it was followed by another competitive offensive play by Sako, who converted a penalty kick to a goal at the 19’.
Going into the top of the second half, NCFC had five shots on goal compared to Sire’s two. Despite North Carolina taking more opportunities to score, only Sire gained a goal, and just before the beginning of target score time at 38’, NCFC trailed 3-1.
Dropping to just a 2 v 2 by the 40 + 15’, Cesar Elizondo finds Steven Miller as they raced down the field to beat out Sire’s goalkeeper, who found himself again off the line. Miller snuck under to bring NCFC one goal closer to staying in the game. Even so, with just minutes left, Sire scored at the 40 + 16’, taking the win and advancing to the quarterfinals.
NCFC Starters (2-3-1): William Vanzela, Kupono Low, Steven Miller; Brian Shriver, Nazmi Albadawi ©, Cesar Elizondo; Tommy Heinemann.
NCFC Bench: Kraig Chiles, Brian Farber, Jonny Orlando, Cory Elenio, Renan Gorne, Sam Brotherton, G. Felipe Gonzalez, Wellington Paeckart, Nic Platter, Ben Speas, Dylan Hundelt, George Acosta.
NCFC Goals: Sam Brotherton—13’, Steven Miller–40 + 15’
