CARY, N.C. (March 9, 2024) — North Carolina FC opened the 2024 USL Championship season with a scoreless draw against the Charleston Battery Saturday night in front of 2,576 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. The new-look NCFC side set a solid tone for the return to the USL’s top-flight with a statement clean sheet against the defending Eastern Conference Champions.
The home side’s first real chance of the season came just shy of the quarter-hour mark. Newcomer Rodrigo Da Costa, playing in his 150th USL Championship match and first for NCFC, played a delicious ball in for Oalex Anderson, who had eyes for goal if not for some emergency back-defending from Charleston’s Leland Archer.
North Carolina FC had to defend some tough set pieces, testing the newly formed back line, who stood tall several times. A well-defended corner led to a great counter opportunity around the 20’, with Anderson on a break out that forced Jake LaCava into a tactical foul that put him in the referees book.
Both teams had plenty of half-chances throughout, but nothing materialized for either side. Jake McGuire made the lone save of the evening late in the first half to help secure the clean sheet.
Match Notes
- Rodrigo Da Costa played his 150th USL Championship match for his career
- North Carolina FC made a return to the USL Championship for the first time since 2020
Transcribed Quotes from NCFC:
Paco Craig on being captain and his leadership style opening the season:
“I try to relate the best I can to my teammates. I think everyone brings a unique aspect to the team and I think if you treat everyone equally and respectfully and see what benefits each person has, you can really get the most out of everyone.”
Paco on the fan support:
“For so many people to come out in this weather just speaks to the kind of support we have, and that will give us the extra push whenever we need it.”
Coach Bradford on how new captain Paco Craig assumed his role:
“We gave a team vote. I think it speaks volumes when your teammates make you the leader and give you that confidence that they have in him.”
Box Score:
NCFC (3-4-2-1): Jake McGuire; Lamar Batista, Paco Craig ©, Bryce Washington; Ezra Armstrong (Nelson Flores Blanco #3 — 71’), Collin Martin, Raheem Somersall, Rafa Mentzingen; Rodrigo Da Costa (Julian Placias #49 — 85’), Louis Perez (Jaden Servania #10 — 85’); Oalex Anderson (Evan Conway #11 — 71’)
Subs Not Used: Shaft Brewer Jr., Antonio Carrera, Jacori Hayes, Mikey Maldonado, Adrian Pelayo
CHS (4-2-3-1): Adam Grinwis; Mark Segbers, Leland Archer © (Juan Sebastian Palma #23 — 58’), Graham Smith, Josh Drack (Nathan Dossantos #62 — 82’); Chris Allan, Aaron Molloy, Arturo Rodriguez (Jackson Conway #36 — 82’), Emilio Ycaza (Diego Gutierrez #11— 65’), Nicholas Markanich; Jake LaCava (Juan Torres, #80 — 46’)
Subs Not Used: Daniel Kuzemka, Robbie Crawford
Score:
NCFC: 0
CHS: 0
Goals:
NCFC:
CHS:
Cautions:
NCFC: Raheem Sommersall — 39’, #49 Julian Placias — 87’
CHS: #7 Jake LaCava — 20’, #36 Jackson Conway — 84’, #80 Juan Torres — 90+4’
Ejections:
NCFC: –
CHS: –
Attendance: 2576
