CARY, NC. (July 21, 2023) – North Carolina FC took a 4-2 loss against the Sunderland Black Cats Friday night in an international friendly at at WakeMed Soccer Park. After a tough fought match the English football team took the overall win.
Sunderland set the pace early in the first half, only five minutes in a goal was scored. Chris Rigg passed a ball through the middle of the six-yard box for Jay Matete to snipe into the back of the net. Not only ten minutes later the Black Cats doubled their lead as Patrick Roberts soared a corner kick into the box for Danny Batth to put away.
Later in the half North Carolina FC had multiple opportunities from Mikey Maldonado, Louis Perez, and Oalex Anderson. However Sunderland was not ready to stop scoring when Jack Clarke crossed a ball to the top of the box for Roberts to step around a defender and find the back left of the net. Right before the half Clarke made a run for himself up the right side of the pitch and took a hard shot right past North Carolina goalkeeper Trevor Mulqueen.
The second half started off better for North Carolina FC as they scored only moments into the half. Dj Benton hit a long pass across the field to the feet of Rafa Mentzingen who took a dribble and hit a shot far post for thirty yards out. Only ten minutes later to for Louis Perez to make some action of his own. Perez took on three players and got off a left footed screamer to make the match 4-2. During this match there were multiple debuts for players. This included the first professional appearance for Kyrome Lumsden. Marvin Mariche, Luke Croll, and Marzuq Puckerin made their season debut with North Carolina FC.
North Carolina FC will be back at WakeMed Soccer Park this Wednesday, July 26 at 7PM against The Northern Colorado Hailstorm. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
