NCFC Draw with FC Tucson at Home, 1-1

August 27, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release

CARY, NC – North Carolina FC picked up a point on Saturday night, drawing with the visiting FC Tucson in front of their home crowd. Showkat Tahir tallied the score for the North Carolina side and Louis Perez added a late equalizer for Tucson, the match result decided in the final minutes. NCFC will return to action on September 3, as they hit the road to face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for the third and final time this season.

“Another disappointing end to the game,” said Head Coach John Bradford following the match. “The guys left everything they had on the field and in the game, and unfortunately we weren’t able to finish more of our chances. Really proud of the character of our group, we keep going. As the game wore on we were creating chances, and we have to be able to put the game away.”

Breaking the ice in the 18th minute of the match, Tahir collected a layoff from Nico Molina just outside the box, taking two quick touches in succession to place the ball on his left foot. With precision, the midfielder buried a strike past Tucson goalkeeper Carlos Merancio and into the back of the net to give the home side a 1-0 advantage. The goal was Tahir’s second of the season, as Molina was credited with his second assist of the year.

Tucson found the equalizer in the 81st minute, the opportunity arising as Will Pulisic punched a corner kick out of the NCFC box. The initial save fell to Perez, who was in position just outside the eighteen to hammer a one-time volley past Pulisic to draw the Arizona side level. Despite several close scoring chances between Molina, Garrett McLaughlin, and Oalex Anderson as the match drew to a close, NCFC were unable to find a go-ahead goal as the contest expired.

Up Next: North Carolina FC will travel to face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Saturday, September 3 at 9 p.m. ET at Severance High School in Severance, CO. The match will be available to stream live on ESPN+.

Box Score:

NCFC (4-4-2): Will Pulisic, Christian Lue Young, Max Flick, Jordan Skelton, Nelson Flores Blanco, Nelson Martinez (Pecka – 85′), Showkat Tahir, Luis Arriaga (Oalex Anderson – 85′), Jaden Servania (Raheem Somersall – 46′), Shak Adams (Garrett McLaughlin – 77′), Nicolás Molina

Subs Not Used: Nicholas Holliday, Britton Fischer, Nicolas Rincon

TUC (4-3-3): Carlos Merancio, Donny Toia, Jacob Crull, Luca Mastrantonio, Kaelon Fox, Joao Delgado (Franco Perez – 67′), Mueng…