NCFC Hosts Chattanooga SC Saturday in Home Finale
October 7, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC – North Carolina FC finishes the home portion of their 2022 season as they host Chattanooga Red Wolves SC this Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park. The club celebrates Noche Latina with a free Hispanic Heritage Festival from 5:00 – 7:00 and will have signed jersey raffles, live entertainment and special guests throughout the match.
The boys in blue are coming off a four-point week after beating Central Valley Fuego, 2-1, with a game-winning goal and assist from USL One Player of the Week Nico Rincon, in a midweek matchup then rescuing a 1-1 draw on Oalex Anderson’s late equalizer on Saturday. Despite the effort, the team was mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with two matches to play and will instead look to build momentum headed into 2023.
Scouting Chattanooga SC
The Red Wolves are in the thick of the playoff chase, entering the season’s penultimate weekend in fifth place, but places two through eight are separated by just five points. So a lot of mobility remains on the USL One table down the stretch. The Red Wolves +14 goal differential is second in the league, which could give them important tie-breakers in the final standings.
One thing is certain when the Red Wolves take the field: goals will be scored. The last time there was a zero in the scoreline of a Red Wolves match was way back on August 3. They rank second in team goals (51) and tied for the second-fewest goals conceded (37). Juan Galindrez leads the offensive attack with 12 goals while Moe Espinoza and Rafael Mentzingen have been heavily involved in the offense as well.
Last Time Out
North Carolina FC got the equalizer with ten minutes to go to salvage a 1-1 draw against Union Omaha last Saturday night. Oalex Anderson was able to get his foot to a loose ball in the box, despite falling backwards, and power it past the Omaha keeper. It was the sixth goal of the season for Anderson, who was one of four NCFC players to make the USL League One Team of the Week. Omaha took the lead midway through the first half after a giveaway led Corey Hertzog to a one-on-one with Will Pulisic and was able to finish from the top of the box.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #31 Nico Rincon
What a week for the 16-year-old Rincon, who contributed on both goals in the team’s win Wednesday night, including his first-career goal, to earn USL One Player of the Week and highlighting one of four NCFC players on the Team of the Week. His highlight-reel goal was nominated for Play of the Week. As the season winds down, the young talent has proven he can play at this level and continues to grow as a perfect example of what Youth-to-Pro can be in the Triangle.
Chattanooga SC – #99 Moe Espinoza
Second on the team with eight goals and leading the way with seven assists, Espinoza has been at the center of the potent Red Wolves attack all season. A former member of the U.S.A. youth National Teams from U15-19, the now-23-year-old from San Diego has been playing high-level soccer his entire life.
Up Next: North Carolina FC visits in-state rival Charlotte Independence for the season finale on Saturday, October 15, at 7 p.m. ET. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
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