April 8, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, N.C. – North Carolina FC and the Charlotte Independence played the first edition of the Dogwood Derby to a 1-1 draw under pouring rain on a chilly Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina FC now has four points (1-1-1) through three matches while the Independence have eight points (2-0-2) in four.
Nick Holliday kept the match scoreless in the 27′ when Charlotte built an attack off the counter and a cross from the right wing to the back post forced Holliday into a one-on-one, where he was able to paw away the attempt from point blank range.
Just minutes later, North Carolina FC would grab the lead. A Jaden Servania shot took a sharp deflection in front of the Charlotte keeper and the loose ball pinged to Oalex Anderson, who calmly found the far-side netting for his first of the season to put the home side in front.
Charlotte built a threat to equalize just before the hour mark, but David Garcia was in perfect position – in a soccer sense – as the rocket one-timer glanced off his head and away from target. Minutes later, the Independence did find the back of the net when Gabriel Obertan sent a cross in for Dane Kelly to slam home off the volley to equalize.
Rafa came inches from putting the home side in front again in the 77′ when he sent a low curler to the far corner, forcing a sprawling save by Austin Pack to keep the match level. Luis Arriaga and Garrett McLaughlin combined to set Rafa up with the look from the top of the box. Servania made a darting run down the middle of the field in the 80′ and forced the keeper off his line, but NCFC could not take advantage on the slippery turf.
North Carolina FC drew a foul in the final seconds of added time and Rafa’s shot forced Pack to dive to his right to punch the shot out for a corner, but the final whistle blew before the set piece opportunity.
Match Notes:
Saturday was the first-ever “Dogwood Derby” – the new name for the NCFC/Independence Rivalry
NCFC has not lost to Charlotte at home since October 3, 2020
North Carolina FC is unbeaten in their last four matches when scoring first
NCFC finished the match with 10 men after a second yellow to DJ Benton in the 90′
Quoting NCFC:
Head Coach John Bradford
“I thought it was a battle, for sure. All of the build up with the rivalry certainly played itself out over the 90-plus minutes. Disappointed to not get a win, but I thought the guys fought hard.”
“In all honesty, I…