by Fran Stuchbury
May 5, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
North Carolina FC
North Carolina FC battles Rhode Island FC
(North Carolina FC, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
North Carolina FC and Rhode Island FC played to a scoreless 0-0 draw in front of 3,187 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park Saturday evening as North Carolina FC celebrated Star Wars Night. This was the first meeting between the teams.
North Carolina earned its second clean sheet of the season, while collecting eight shots in the game compared to five for Rhode Island.
Rhode Island is playing its first season in USL Championship. They are currently calling Beirne Stadium home, a venue which also hosts Bryant football and men’s and women’s lacrosse. Their head coach is Kano Smith who was an assistant coach with the NWSL Orlando Pride from 2016 until 2018 and USL Championship’s Birmingham Legion FC from 2019 until 2023.
“I thought our guys grew into the game,” said North Carolina FC Head Coach John Bradford. “The first half, I think it was a little sloppy on our part, especially defensively, and just getting connected to one another and being able to impact Rhode Island as they possessed the ball a little bit too freely than what we wanted. As the game went on, I thought the guys did a really good job of putting them under pressure. This is a group of players that can convert and score goals, and we’re not there yet, and it’s going to come. So I’m still confident in the guys for sure.”
“A little bit disappointed, would be the word I would say, but a lot of positives as well,” added North Carolina FC’s Paco Craig. “I think there’s some things we really wanted to make sure were out there, and there was fight there for sure, effort, and so you can’t fault that side of it. I think overall, their tactics sort of messed us up a little too much for my liking. So I think we should have got more at the game.”
Forward Evan Conway, who had been out four weeks with an injury, made his 100th USL regular season appearance.
“It’s great, obviously the injuries are tough, but it gives you a chance to kind of reflect, watch the team a little bit, work on the mental side of the game and come back ready to go,” said Conway. “I think the boys need a lift right now so I’m hoping to provide some of that for them.”
North Carolina FC will host Phoenix Rising FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 pm est.
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