by Fran Stuchbury
March 10, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – North Carolina FC
North Carolina FC battles with the Charleston Battery
(North Carolina FC, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
North Carolina FC, winner of the 2023 USL League One Championship, made its return to the USL Championship for the first time since 2020 with a 0-0 draw against the Charleston Battery in front of 2,576 fans at rainy WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday evening.
North Carolina FC had 13 players returning from last season’s championship squad. Eight of them were on the active roster Saturday.
“It definitely looked like the first game of the season, but it’s good to get that over and done with and see where we are at with some of these guys,” said North Carolina FC Head Coach John Bradford. “A shut out against the Charleston Battery team that was in the USL Championship Final last season… we are off to a good start.”
“First game we didn’t look as polished,” added Bradford. “I think it has to do with some players playing on the field for the first time, a quick surface.”
The 2023 Eastern Conference Champions the Charleston Battery, who lost to Phoenix Rising FC in the title match, also have revamped its roster with 10 new players out of 19 on the squad.
One of the newcomers for North Carolina FC, defender Paco Craig, was named team captain.
“It’s what I have been waiting for all preseason, so it’s a huge honor to be wearing the arm band for these guys,” said Craig. “We have a lot of strong personalities. It was fantastic to finally get on the field.
Craig played with the Miami Fusion from 2021 until 2023.
“We gave a team vote,” Bradford said of the captain’s choice. “I think it speaks volumes when your teammates make you the leader and give you that confidence that they have in him.”
Midfielder Collin Martin, another new face, added, “It was good; it wasn’t perfect. The attitude was right; the intensity was there for the team. I think there are a lot of positives we can take from this first one.”
Martin played for the defunct San Diego Loyal SC the past four seasons.
A native of England, Craig was used to the rainy weather.
“I think they were a huge help,” Craig said of the crowd. “We got the band and the drums going. For people to come out in this weather speaks for the support we have and that will give us the extra push whenever we need it.”
Fortunately, the rain didn’t affect play much. “It drains so well,” Bradford said of the WakeMed field. “Even after the game Charleston said the…
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