Cary, NC–On Saturday, March 23, 2019, North Carolina FC took on Liga MX Club Necaxa in the first ever Friendship Cup. It was the second game of a doubleheader that featured NWSL teams the North Carolina Courage vs the Orlando Pride in the first match.
NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan gave most of his regular starters a rest and fielded a young lineup. They got on the front foot right off of the opening kickoff and held off the visitors from Mexico 2-1.
Austin Panchot scored an unassisted goal in the 20th minute to open the scoring. Five minutes later, Caleb Duvernay added a goal to put the home club up 2-0. Pedro Pablo Campos would get one back for Club Necaxa in the 67th minute but NCFC goalkeeper Darrin Mcleod made some big saves late in the game to keep the Dead Whales’ undefeated in 2019.
All photos by Victoria Klum.
North Carolina FC
