NCFC Return Home to Host Central Valley Fuego
September 27, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC – North Carolina FC returns to their home field for the first time in over a month, looking to stave off elimination from the USL1 playoffs as they welcome in Central Valley Fuego FC to open a three-match home stand on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park.
This is the third and final meeting of the season with NCFC aiming to avoid a sweep at the hands of the league newcomers after a pair of one-goal losses earlier this season, including a 1-0 home defeat back in August. NCFC has become accustomed to playing tight matches, with five of their last six decided by a goal or less.
They’ve shown no issues scoring goals, being held off the scoresheet just twice this season and boasting the second-leading goal-scorer in the league in Garrett McLaughlin, who’s netted 13 goals this season to sit three shy of the USL1 single-season record.
Scouting Fuego
In their inaugural season, the Fresno, California based club came out of the gates strong, losing just once in their first eight matches. Since then, they’ve played roughly .500 soccer, including a 2-2-1 record in their last five. They look to build momentum off their draw at first-place Richmond last Saturday and, with a game in-hand, they sit just three points outside a playoff position with four fixtures to play.
They’ve scored 32 goals and conceded 37, both of which sit middle-third of the league. Fuego has been very solid in possession and passing, amassing 11,029 total passes, which ranks third in USL1, and they are tied for second with 81% passing accuracy. They are a team that will play physical and can be exposed for set pieces, conceding the second-most fouls in the league (420) while they’ve been shown 83 yellow cards and four reds, ranking third and fifth in the league, respectively.
Last Time Out
North Carolina FC dictated play and had a man-advantage through much of the second half, but their comeback bid fell short in a 2-1 loss at Charlotte Independence on Saturday, Sept. 24, to even the season-series with their in-state rival. McLaughlin converted his sixth penalty of the season to take sole possession of second place in the Golden Boot race and NCFC had several chances in stoppage time to find an equalizer, but could not quite push a second goal across to level the score.
Players to Watch
North Carolina FC – #9 Oalex Anderson
If Garrett McLaughlin were to win Best Lead Actor for his work this season, Oalex Anderson would be a prime nominee for Best Supporting Role in his first season with North Carolina. Anderson’s four assists lead the team and he’s also used his pace and ball-handling to draw several of the six penalties that McLaughlin has converted. Anderson has proven to be a capable goal-scorer himself with five to rank second on the team and keeps the opponent guessing with three right-footed goals and a pair with his left. Anderson spent the last two seasons with the Richmond Kickers, where he was teammates with our player to watch from Fuego.
Central Valley Fuego – #8 Victor Falck
In a fairly-balanced Central Valley Fuego attack, Victor Falck is clearly one of the main focal points; he’s second on the team with six goals, tied for the team lead with three assists and has the most chances created (31) for the team despite missing two matches. The Swedish midfielder joins the league newcomers this year after two seasons with Richmond, where he contributed just one goal and one assist before taking on a leading role in the Fuego offense this campaign. His professional career has mirrored his collegiate one so far, starting at University of Virginia before transferring to UC Davis after one year.
Up Next: North Carolina FC continues their homestand this Saturday, Oct. 1, for Noche Latina as they host Union Omaha at 7:00 p.m. ET. There will be a FREE pre match Hispanic Heritage Festival along the entryway to WakeMed Soccer Park, complete with live entertainment, food and beverage trucks and various vendors and displays to honor and celebrate hispanic culture. The festival will begin at 5:00 p.m. and lead up to the start of the match. Tickets are available for purchase here, although not required for access to the festival.
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