NCFC Sees Five Match Unbeaten Streak Come to an End
By Jaden Dakwa – LA Soccer Press
Forward Madison’s Isidro Martinez and Mitch Osmond scored goals on either side of halftime to hand North Carolina FC a 2-0 defeat on Saturday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Within the opening minute of the match, Forward Madison was able to create two opportunities in quick succession.
The ball fell towards the path of forward Derek Gebhard who struck a one-time volley that was saved by North Carolina FC goalkeeper Nick Holliday. The rebound ended up falling in front of Christian Chaney, who struck an effort from close range that sailed over the bar.
North Carolina FC got off to a fast start as well in the 2nd minute after Louis Perez was able to receive a clearance that fell directly into his path. Perez struck a low driven strike from outside the box that knocked off the post.
In the 14th minute, Forward Madison midfielder Isidro Martinez gave the Flamingos a 1-0 lead after he struck a long range effort that looped over the head of Nicholas Holliday. His stunning strike could be an early contender for USL League One goal of the season.
Oalex Anderson nearly equalized for North Carolina FC in the 32nd minute after he was played through on goal by Rafa Mentzingen. Anderson was left one-on-one with Forward Madison goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann. Schipmann pulled off a great close range reaction save to keep Forward Madison’s one goal advantage.
Forward Madison’s Chrisitian Chaney almost scored from a header off a corner in the 36th minute. His effort on goal ended up glancing just wide of the post.
North Carolina FC midfielder Luis Arraiga struck a curling effort on goal from outside the box in the 51st minute that nearly sailed over the crossbar.
Chaney was able to find himself in a promising position to score in the 57th minute when he was able to take a touch past Rafa Mentzingen in the box and strike an effort on goal. Holliday was able to make a quick reaction save to knock the ball over the bar.
In the 68th minute, Forward Madison was able to double their advantage after Mitch Osmond was able to score from a corner that was sent in accurately from Martinez. Osmond’s header was able to beat Holliday at his near post.
Chaney nearly was able to score once again deep into stoppage time during the 97th minute. Chaney was able to turn past North Carolina FC captain and center back Daniel Navarro to fire an effort on goal. Holliday was able to produce a reaction save with his legs from close range.
This marked the first loss North Carolina FC has suffered since April 5th in all competitions.
North Carolina FC head coach John Bradford felt like a slow start did have some impact on his team’s performance throughout the 90 minutes.
“I thought we didn’t start well, obviously sluggish kind of from the opening whistle,” Bradford said. “Defensively it just seemed like we were five yards off of every opportunity where we could have squeezed things a bit more.”
Bradford was pleased with the performance of substitutes that entered the match during the second half.
“I was pleased with all the guys,” Bradford said. “DJ [DJ Benton] is a little out of position, you know up the line in terms of where he’s at. But, I thought Garrett had good energy, Shak had good energy, Preston good energy, Raheem good energy, so it’s credit to those guys in the group being pretty deep.”
North Carolina FC will return to action tomorrow when the team plays against the Richmond Kickers at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC at 7 PM ET.
Dakwa holds a BS in Journalism from Elon University. He writes about North Carolina professional soccer for L.A. Soccer Press. Follow him at @JDakwa on Twitter.
