North Carolina FC and Nashville SC Split Valuable Points

North Carolina FC 3 – 3 Nashville SC

Cary, NC-–North Carolina FC and Nashville SC are two teams scrapping for enough points to lift them into the United Soccer League playoffs.

Heading into the Saturday evening matchup, Nashville was perched on the red line with 38 points, while North Carolina was holding on in 10th place with 34 points. With just over one month left in the USL regular season, points are becoming more valuable commodities.

The good news for NCFC is they picked up a point and, owing to having fewer losses, remain ahead of their in-state rival, Charlotte. Additionally, the boys in blue turned in an overall strong performance against Nashville, dominating much of the game.

The not-so-good news is they had the lead for over an hour of the match before a couple of defensive mistakes caused them to settle for the draw.

Still, there were a lot of positives for Colin Clarke’s NCFC team to build on. After trading chances early in the game, the home team hung around in Nashville’s end of the field for much of the first half.

North Carolina got on the scoreboard first in the 18th minute of the match. After getting a bump on the head in the 15th minute, North Carolina FC midfielder Tiyi Shipalane took the ball at the center circle and sprinted with it straight up the middle of the Nashville defense. He let loose a right-footed rocket that appeared to take a slight deflection off of a Nashville player before scooting past goalkeeper Matt Pickens into the right corner of the net.

NCFC would double their lead 20 minutes later when Nashville conceded a free kick at the edge of their 18-yard box. Defender Aaron Guillen and striker Daniel Rios lined up to take the free kick: Guillen ran a dummy over the ball and Rios’ line drive threaded through the Nashville wall as both Kosuke Kimura and Taylor Washington moved out of the path of the ball. Having lined the wall up to cover the goal, Pickens couldn’t get back across the goal mouth in time to prevent the score.

The Carolinians took a 2-0 lead into the halftime break and looked poised to collect all three points from Nashville.

Five minutes into the second half, Nashville was awarded a free kick just outside of the penalty arc. Liam Doyle’s free kick attempt went straight into North Carolina’s wall. However, referee Guido Gonzales called NCFC’s Kyle Bekker for a handball and awarded a penalty kick to the visitors.

Brandon Allen’s penalty kick beat North Carolina goalkeeper Alex Tambakis to the bottom right corner of the goal, cutting NCFC’s lead in half in the 50th minute.

North Carolina responded well to the setback. In the 63rd minute, Rios burst through the Nashville defense with teammate Austin da Luz screaming for the ball as he made his run on the left edge of the 6-yard box. Rios lofted a pass to da Luz but Nashville’s Bradley Bourgeois was able to block da Luz’s volley. Doyle tried to head the ball out of Nashville’s penalty area but it fell in front of NCFC’s Zach Steinberger. Steinberger’s volley bounced hard on the ground before just beating Pickens at the left post.

NCFC’s two-goal lead was restored but there was still over a quarter hour left in the game. Though it seemed the three points might be in the bag for NCFC, they didn’t seal that bag shut.

As the game neared the 80th minute, Nashville’s Tucker Hume battled North Carolina’s captain Connor Tobin in NCFC’s 18-yard box. With Tobin draped over Hume, referee Gonzales pointed to the penalty spot again.

Tambakis nearly got to Allen’s penalty kick but the shot was hard and sailed just past his outstretched arm. North Carolina’s lead was back down to one goal.

Two minutes later, Lebo Moloto carried the ball deep into North Carolina’s end of the field. He found his way around a persistent challenge from NCFC’s Steven Miller and saw an opening for a shot on goal. Moloto’s hard right-footed shot grazed North Carolina’s Wuilito Fernandes and deflected past Tambakis into the top corner of the net.

In the space of two minutes, what seemed like a solid win had turned into a nail-biter for the hometown supporters.

Both sides hung on and, after seven minutes of stoppage time, split the points.

Final notes

North Carolina FC’s match against Nashville SC was the first game of a doubleheader. The second match of the night featured the NWSL-leading North Carolina Courage and the Houston Dash. It was the final regular season match for the Courage.
One of the positive takeaways from the game for North Carolina FC is that their offense is still chugging along. Forward Daniel Rios added a goal to make it 16 on the year: he remains in the running for the Golden Boot. Since coming to NCFC on loan from the Indy Eleven, Zach Steinberger has potted three goals in three appearances for North Carolina and his presence has opened the field up for his attacking teammates.
NCFC hits the road for their next three games: Penn FC, Atlanta United 2, and a Southern Derby matchup at Charleston.

Lineups

North Carolina FC: A. Tambakis; DJ Taylor (P. Doue, 64’), A. Guillen, C. Tobin ©, S. Miller; K. Bekker (W. Fernandes, 71’), A. da Luz, Z. Steinberger, G. Smith, T. Shipalane (D. Ewolo, 90’); D. Rios

Nashville SC: M. Pickens; K. Kimura, B. Bourgeois, L. Doyle, J. Davis (T. Hume, 68’); T. Washington, M. Lagrassa, M. Reed ©, B. Akinyode (B. Allen, 46’); L. Moloto, R. Mensah (A. Winn, 46’)

Scoring

North Carolina FC: T. Shipalane 18’ (unassisted), D. Rios 39’ (unassisted), Z. Steinberger 63’ (unassisted)

Nashville SC: B. Allen 51’ (PK), B. Allen 80’ (PK), L. Moloto 82’ (unassisted)

Discipline

North Carolina FC: none

Nashville SC: Kosuke Kimura YC (67’)

Attendance: 9,505

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Austin da Luz (6) tries to bring the ball down against Nashville SC defender Bradley Bourgeois (22) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) dribbles around Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle (5) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) dribbles toward Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle (5) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) dribbles toward Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle (5) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC players celebrate a goal while North Carolina FC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (1) protests during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Kyle Bekker (10) holds possession of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Steven Miller (31) tries to maintain his balance during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) brings the ball upfield during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Tiyi Shipalane (22) pass the ball past Nashville SC defender Taylor Washington (23) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) and Nashville SC defender Justin Davis (2) challenge each other during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC and Nashville SC players scramble for the ball in front of the NCFC goal during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender D.J. Taylor (27) and Nashville SC defender Kosuke Kimura (27) battle for possession of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) and Nashville SC player set up for a throw-in during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC midfielder Lebo Moloto (10) appeals to the referee during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC and Nashville SC players line up for a Nashville SC free kick during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC and Nashville SC players line up for a Nashville SC free kick during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (1) waits for the penalty kick from Nashville SC forward Brandon Allen (32) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC forward Brandon Allen (32) beats North Carolina FC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (1) with his penalty kick during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC midfielder Matt LaGrassa (20) tries to gain control of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Under pressure from North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) and midfielder Austin da Luz (6), Nashville SC midfielder Matt LaGrassa (20) passes the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender D.J. Taylor (27) and Nashville SC defender Bradley Bourgeois (22) fight for possession of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC defender Kosuke Kimura (27) throws the ball in during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC defender Kosuke Kimura (27) has possession of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) wins possession as defender Connor Tobin (13) watches during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) holds off Nashville SC player as defender Connor Tobin (13) watches during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) and defender Connor Tobin (13) battle a Nashville SC player for the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender D.J. Taylor (27) and Nashville SC defender Kosuke Kimura (27) battle for the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) and Nashville SC defender Bradley Bourgeois (22) in an aerial battle during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) takes possession of the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC The Starting XI for North Carolina FC pose for a photo prior to the start of the North Carolina FC v Nashville SC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC player Austin da Luz takes a shot and strikes a pose during warmups before the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) during warmups before the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC players Aaron Guillen (33), Graham Smith (16), Alex Tambakis (1), and Connor Tobin (13) take the field with youth soccer players before the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) dribbles the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender D.J. Taylor (27) passes the ball as Nashville SC defender Kosuke Kimura (27) and NCFC’s midfielder Kyle Bekker (10) look on during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender D.J. Taylor (27) and Nashville SC midfielder Lebo Moloto (10) in an aerial battle during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC Nashville SC midfielder Michael Reed (17) battles North Carolina FC defender Aaron Guillen (33) for the ball as defender D.J. Taylor (27) watches the play during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC captain Connor Tobin (13) indicates teammate midfielder Tiyi Shipalane (22) needs treatment for a head injury during North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Tiyi Shipalane (22) receives treatment during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Steven Miller (31) lies exhausted on the pitch at the end of the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC defender Steven Miller (31) passes the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC — and Nashville SC — during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis (1) leaps for the save against Nashville SC — during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC — and Nashville SC — during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) challenges Nashville SC goalkeeper Matt Pickens (18) in the air during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Tiyi Shipalane (22) passes the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Tiyi Shipalane (22) passes the ball during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC midfielder Zach Steinberger (23) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park

: Cary, NC North Carolina FC forward Daniel Rios (14) during the North Carolina FC v Nashville FC match at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park