NCFC Claims 2-1 Win Over Central Valley Fuego Wednesday

September 28, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release

CHARLOTTE, NC – North Carolina FC keeps their post-season dream alive with a 2-1 win over Central Valley Fuego FC Wednesday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. Nicolas Rincon provided his first professional goal and an assist to lead NCFC to a home win and the team’s first victory over the USL1 newcomers, salvaging the third and final meeting of the season.

Rincon used finesse in the 22′ to set up the match’s first goal, tip-toeing past defenders to the end line, then angling the ball back to the middle of the box. Garrett McLaughlin was able to tap in past the keeper for his 14th tally of the year, two goals shy of the Golden Boot race and all-time USL1 single-season record.

Central Valley found the equalizer later in the first half when Villyan Bijev slid a square-in pass to Christian Chaney, who blistered a 35-yard screamer into the upper-90 to pull the visitors level. That score would hold until the 69′ when Luis Arriaga played a cross from the left side and Rincon was able to one-time the rolling ball top shelf for the lead.

McLaughlin seemingly had a breakaway just four minutes later, but was yanked down to draw the red card and NCFC was able to hold the one-goal advantage through to the final whistle.

Quotes from head coach John Bradford:

(On the overall team effort) “I’m super proud of this group. Coming off a long road trip where they competed really well and hard in each of those games, you could tell it meant a lot to them to be back on their home field and play in front of our fans.”

(On Nico Rincon’s goal): “That was awesome. You could tell the way he was playing that he was going to find a moment and be a difference-maker tonight. To be a young 16-year-old and have the men in that locker room have the confidence in him and he having the confidence in himself. I’m just so happy for him and I know it’s a moment he’ll never forget.”

Match Notes:

In a physical affair, 10 yellow cards, split 6-4 to CV, were shown and Central Valley was also shown a red card in the second half; the second consecutive match NCFC have played a man up.

North Carolina FC put five of their eight shot attempts on target for the match

Up Next: North Carolina FC continues their final home stand of the season as they host Union Omaha on Saturday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The match will also air on ESPN+ and locally on WRAL Sports+. Tickets to the match can be purchased here.

Box Score:

NCFC (4-4-2): Will Pulisic, Christian Lue Young, Gustavo Fernandes, Jordan Skelton, Max Flick, Pecka, Raheem Somersall, Nicolas Rincon (Jaden Servania – 71′), Luis Arriaga, Oalex Anderson (Nelson Martinez – 81′), Garrett McLaughlin

Subs Not Used: Nicholas Holliday, Britton Fischer, Marvin Mariche, Nicolas Molina, John McDowell

CV (4-3-2-1): Ofek Antman, Adrian Vera (Michael Hornsby – 54′), Sam Strong, Francois Dulysse, Nathan Smith, Alexis Cerritos (Ozzie Ramos – 69′), Victor Falck (Maximiliano Schenfeld – 81′), Mouhamed Dabo, Cherif Dieye (Diego Casillas – 54′), Villyan Bijev (Zahir Vazquez – 81′), Christian Chaney

Subs Not Used: Mitchell North, William Gillingham

Score:

NC: 2

CV: 1

Goals:

NC: Garrett McLaughlin – 22′ (Rincon); Nicolas Rincon – 69′ (Arriaga)

CV: Christian Chaney – 29′ (Bijev)

Cautions:

NC: Gustavo Fernandes – 9′. Jordan Skelton – 47′. Pecka – 90′. Jaden Servania – 90+4′

CV: Adrian Vera – 24′. Mouhamed Dabo – 58′. Victor Falck – 63′. Michael Hornsby – 76′. Christian Chaney – 90+2′. Francois Dulysse – 90+4′.

Ejections:

NC: –

CV: Sam Strong – 73′

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