North Carolina FC draws 2-2 with Jacksonville, sits atop NASL table

Rob Kinnan, NCFC
North Carolina FC

CARY, N.C. – North Carolina FC finished with a 2-2 draw against Jacksonville Armada FC at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday.

NCFC, undefeated in its last five matches, remained atop the North American Soccer League, (NASL) Fall Season standings (tied with San Francisco and Puerto Rico) as a result of goals in the 44th and 69th minutes.

Dre Fortune and Lance Laing respectively tallied those markers for North Carolina while Tony Taylor and Jack Blake gave Jacksonville an early two-goal lead.

“If you take away the first 10 minutes, we were exceptionally good,” NCFC head coach Colin Clarke said.

“But, you can’t to do that, so we’re still answerable for those poor goals we gave up at the beginning. The reaction after [Jacksonville’s] early goals was very good with our play and passing. With a little bit more luck and some better finishing, we could have gotten all three points.”

NCFC next prepares to host Spring Season-champion Miami FC on Tuesday.

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Boxscore – NASL Match Center

Lineups

NCFC: Brian Sylvestre; D.J. Taylor (Kareem Moses, 65’), Brad Ruhaak, Connor Tobin, Paul Black; Tiyi Shipalane, Nazmi Albadawi ©, James Marcelin, Dre Fortune, Lance Laing (Alex Molano, 83’); Matt Fondy (Billy Schuler, 56’) – Subs not used: Mack Robinson, Renan Gorne, Bolu Akinyode, Danny Barrow

JAX: Caleb Patterson-Sewell; Devon Fisher (Drew Beckie, 75’), Mechack Jerom, Aaron Pitchkolan ©, Kalen Ryden; Jack Blake, Kevan George; J.C. Banks (Charles Eloundou, 67’), Zach Steinberger, Brian Shriver (Derek Gebhard, 69’); Tony Taylor – Subs not used: Kyle Nasta, Jemal Johnson, Michael O’ Sullivan, Bryam Rebellom

Score: NCFC: 2; JAX: 2

Goals: NCFC: Dre Fortune (James Marcelin, 44′), Lance Laing (Unassisted, 69’); JAX: Tony Taylor (Zach Steinberger, 3’), Jack Blake (PK, 18’)

Cautions: NCFC: Dre Fortune 26’; JAX: Kevan George 18’ J.C. Banks 86’, Jack Blake 90’

Ejections: NCFC: –; JAX: —

Attendance: 4,272