North Carolina FC 3 –2 Memphis 901 FC
CARY, NC— Dave Sarachan has said before that having a short memory is key to preserving your sanity in soccer. That’s especially true when you play again less than 72 hours after a gut-wrenching stoppage time loss.
North Carolina FC’s resilience was put to the test Sunday night as they faced Memphis 901 FC for the second time in three days. As the first half ticked on, though, their frustration only grew from Thursday night shocker. Memphis was out to prove that the result wasn’t just luck. They played with confidence from the opening whistle and consistently won duels for the ball, on the ground and in the air.
The visitors grabbed the lead in the 24th minute. Marc Burch served a corner kick to the middle of the box finding a completely unmarked Cal Jennings for the easy header past Alex Tambakis.
NCFC struggled to channel their frustration to create scoring chances and things headed downhill quickly. Hadji Barry picked up a yellow card in the 30th minute when his tackle cut Leston Paul’s legs out from under him.
Five minutes later, Jennings netted his brace after Raul Gonzalez carried the ball down the wing and threaded the needle through the box and Jennings beat Tambakis to double Memphis 901 FC’s lead.
Early in the second half exasperation was clear on Sarachan’s face. Hoping to spark his club, he swapped Wellington Pecka for Dre Fortune and Robert Kristo for Marios Lomis up front. Soon, North Carolina caught fire. In the 55th minute, Fortune served a floating corner into the box. After pinging off of Sam Brotherton and goalkeeper Jimmy Hague, the ball came to defender Conor Donovan who slotted it past the keeper to give the Dead Whales new life.
North Carolina leveled the score three minutes later and again Donovan figured heavily into the play when he stopped a Memphis run and slid the ball down the wing to Kristo. He took a couple of touches before sending the ball across to Barry who buried it in the back of the net.
NCFC completed their comeback in the 89th minute. Veteran midfielder Steven Miller, who had just replaced Hadji Barry to give the team some fresh legs, tracked a Dre Fortune through ball down to the end line. He picked his head up and spotted the Albadawi hustling toward the edge of the box and chipped the ball back to the captain. Albadawi’s one-timer clinked in off the post to put his team in front for the first time in the game.
But with five minutes of stoppage added, the match was far from over. In the 94th minute, Zach Carroll lofted the ball toward goal from distance, looking for Brandon Allen at the far post. D.J. Taylor attempted to clear the ball with a header but misjudged the pass and it dropped right at Allen’s feet. He tried to settle the ball and shoot, but Tambakis came out of the goal to stop Allen’s attempt and Taylor stuffed the rebound into his goalkeeper’s midsection to preserve the win.
When referee J.C. Griggs blew the final whistle moments later, North Carolina FC’s resilience earned them three critical points to keep them alive in Group G.
Final Notes
- Memphis head coach Tim Mulqueen was no less vocal Sunday evening than he was on Thursday night. His sideline comments got him a talking to in the first half. By the 54th minute, referee J.C. Griggs had heard enough and issued a yellow card.
- Critics who think there isn’t enough scoring in soccer should have spent the weekend at WakeMed Soccer Park. Between the 3-2 Memphis win on Thursday, a 4-3 win for the North Carolina Courage over the Houston Dash on Saturday afternoon, and NCFC’s 3-2 win Sunday amounted to a 17-goal weekend.
- Next up for North Carolina is a massive match-up with Southern Derby rival Charlotte Independence at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, September 19th. The Independence have made a strong showing in Group G, knocking off group leader Birmingham Legion in their last game.
Lineups
North Carolina FC: A. Tambakis; D.J. Taylor, C. Donovan, S. Brotherton, A. Ward; Pecka (D. Fortune, 46’), N. Albadawi ©, B. Speas (G. Smith, 63’); M. Perez (A. Comsia, 90’), H. Barry (S. Miller, 84’); M. Lomis (R. Kristo, 46’)
Memphis 901 FC: J. Hague; R. Buckmaster, M. Burch ©, Z. Carroll, R. Gonzalez (M. Reed, 74’); L. Paul (JC Koffi, 67’), T. McCabe, D. Muckette, R. Mentzingen (B. Allen, 66’); M. Hundley, C. Jennings (K. Marsh-Brown, 55’)
Score:
North Carolina FC: 3
Memphis 901 FC: 2
Goals:
North Carolina FC: C. Donovan, 55’ (unassisted); H. Barry, 58’ (R. Kristo); N. Albadawi, 89’ (S. Miller)
Memphis 901 FC: C. Jennings, 24’ (M. Burch); C. Jennings, 36’ (R. Gonzalez)
Discipline:
North Carolina FC: H. Barry, YC 30’; A. Ward, YC
Memphis 901 FC: Z. Carroll, Y 45’
North Carolina FC
USL Championship
