North Carolina FC 0-Charleston Battery 0
Cary, NC — North Carolina FC returned to the Southern Derby on Saturday night in a rematch with the Charleston Battery.
Much like their first meeting a month ago, North Carolina controlled the tempo for much of the game, holding current Golden Boot leader Ataulla Guerra in check while outshooting the Battery 10-6.
Guerra had one good look at goal in the 26’ when he rocketed a shot from just outside the 18-yard box but the shot went wide to the right.
Austin da Luz nearly had the game’s first goal in the sixth minute when Daniel Rios’ shot bounced off of the Charleston defender and landed at his feet. Da Luz took a lovely touch to get the ball in the air and then turned and unleashed a screaming left-footed volley that sailed just over the crossbar.
NCFC had another scoring chance just before the first half hydration break when Graham Smith brought the ball through midfield and lofted a pass to Rios near the penalty spot. Rios nodded the ball down to Kyle Bekker but it was just slightly behind him. Bekker’s only option was a one-timer that he wasn’t able put much power into and it was an easy save for Charleston’s Joe Kuzminsky.
The teams went into the locker room at halftime locked at 0-0.
The heat and humidity at field level began to take a toll on the players as the game wore on. Michael Harrington went down with an apparent hamstring injury and had to leave the game in the 62nd minute, when Wuilito Fernandes came on to replace him. Players were stretching out cramping muscles during play stoppages throughout the second half.
The home side saw a few scoring chances in the second half, but as players tired, both sides resorted to conservative play, neither side wanting to concede a goal that would require them to open up the attack.
Aaron Guillen lifted a pass toward Rios in the middle of the 18-yard box in the 52nd minute, but Kuzminsky blocked Rios’ header and Donovan Ewolo was not able to get the rebound.
Three minutes later, NCFC had their best chance of the night to take the lead when Steven Miller brought the ball down with his chest and took a couple of touches to turn himself toward the goal. His left-footed blast was deflected and hit the crossbar and the rebound bounced just out of Ewolo’s reach.
Charleston wasn’t able to create many scoring opportunities in the second half. When the Battery did move the ball through midfield they saw their attack fizzle out around NCFC’s 18-yard box, with five offside calls on the evening. Their closest opportunity in the second half came from a foul called on Ewolo in the 65th minute. O’Brien Woodbine’s free kick traveled harmlessly into the arms of NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.
As the fourth official showed five minutes of added time at the end of the second half, there was some anticipation in the crowd for a repeat of the chaotic stoppage time finish that concluded the previous match but it was not to be as the match ended in a scoreless draw.
Final notes
- North Carolina picked up another important point with the draw, putting them three points out of a playoff spot.
- Charleston is the defending Southern Derby champion. With North Carolina FC entering the USL, the Derby playoff is between Charleston, Charlotte Independence, and NCFC. Charleston supporters brought the cup to Sahlen’s Stadium and displayed it in their section during Saturday’s match.
- Raleigh-based teams have previously competed in the Southern Derby, with the Raleigh Capital Express capturing the first one in 2000. As the Carolina RailHawks, they won the Derby three more times, including a co-championship with Charleston in 2009.
- Following Saturday’s match, NCFC will play their next three away from WakeMed Soccer Park before returning on August 25 for their first Southern Derby match against Charlotte.
Lineups
North Carolina FC: A. Tambakis; A. Guillen, M. Harrington (W. Fernandes 62’), C. Tobin ©, D.J. Taylor (M. Lomis 90’); S. Miller, A. da Luz, G. Smith, K. Bekker; D. Rios, D. Ewolo (T. Shipalane 70’)
Charleston: J. Kuzminsky; S. Thomas, T. Mueller ©, N. Hackshaw; O. Woodbine (J. Bolt 70’), T. Atunga, A. Kelly, J. van Schaik; N. Rittmeyer (G. Wild 75’), A. Guerra (V. Mansaray 90+’), K. Higashi
Scoring
NCFC: none
Charleston: none
Discipline:
NCFC: none
Charleston: A. Guerra (YC 44’)
Attendance: 4,026
North Carolina FC
USL
