CARY, NC (Sept. 20, 2022) – North Carolina FC fell to FC Tucson at Kino North Stadium on Tuesday night, concluding their six-day road trip with a 1-1-0 record and earning three of a possible six points. In just four days, the squad will return to action against the Charlotte Independence, fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive with five regular season contests remaining. Nico Rincon made his first professional start during tonight’s match, while Garrett McLaughlin and Nelson Martinez picked up their 50th USL League One career appearances.
Earning a set piece opportunity in the 29th minute, Nico Rincon lofted a ball into a scrum of players in the Tucson box. Amidst the chaos, a deflection off of a defender fell to Max Flick, who buried a shot past Carlos Merancio to break the ice. Unfortunately, Flick’s goal was rendered offside, preserving the 0-0 deadlock. A flurry of chances followed for the visiting side, catalyzed by the efforts of Rincon, Flick, Garrett McLaughlin, and Luis Arriaga.
Tucson were awarded a penalty kick in the 66th minute, the unfortunate call ultimately being the deciding factor in the match result. Louis Perez took the kick, converting his sixth goal of the season to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Working desperately to earn an equalizer as the match wore on, NCFC relied on a spark from second half substitutes Jaden Servania and Oalex Anderson to create chances in the final third. In the 71st minute, Servania broke down the right sideline with pace, beating an approaching defender and cutting the ball to his left to get a shot off, the attempt deflecting out of bounds.
Minutes later, Luis Arriaga made a darting run into the Tucson box, receiving a ball from McLaughlin and driving in a cross that narrowly missed Anderson inside the six. Despite a number of near-chances as the contest gave way to stoppage time, NCFC were unable to find the game-tying goal as Tucson collected three points.
Up Next: North Carolina FC will travel to face the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, September 24 at 7 p.m. ET at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, NC. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-4-2): Will Pulisic, Christian Lue Young, Jordan Skelton, Gustavo Fernandes, Max Flick, Raheem Somersall (Pecka – 68’), Luis Arriaga, Nicolas Rincon (Jaden Servania – 68’), Nelson Martinez (Marvin Mariche – 88’), Garrett McLaughlin, Shak Adams (Oalex Anderson – 67’)
Subs Not Used: Britton Fischer, Nicholas Holliday, John McDowell
TUC (4-3-3): Carlos Merancio, Jacob Crull, Eric Kinzner, Luca Mastrantonio, Kaelon Fox, Daniel Bedoya, Burke Fahling (Joao Delgado – 85’), Louis Perez (Charlie Machell – 76’), Tarn Weir, Donny Toia (Fernando Garcia – 85’), Gio Calixtro (Tyler Allen – 76’)
Subs Not Used: Sean Murray, Tyler Moss, Josiah Romero
Score:
NCFC: 0
TUC: 1
Goals:
NCFC: –
TUC: Louis Perez (PK) – 66’
Cautions:
NCFC: Raheem Somersall – 44’, Garrett McLaughlin – 48’, Luis Arriaga – 62’, Christian Lue Young – 68’
TUC: Luca Mastrantonio – 21’
Ejections:
NCFC: —
TUC: –
