Match Information:
MLS Next Pro: Matchweek 19
Date: Wednesday July 17, 2024
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Point Stadium (High Point, North Carolina)
Watch: Apple TV-MLS Season Pass
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: @carolinacorefc
Instagram: @chattanoogafc
CCFC record: 4-7-4 (19 points - 11th in East)
CFC record: 6-5-6 (28 points - 4th in East)
CCFC vs CFC all-time: 1-1-0 (2 GF, 3 GA)
Carolina Core FC are back at home as they face Chattanooga FC. Kickoff for the match will be at 7:00 p.m. and will be live streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Fans can also follow @CarolinaCore FC on X and @carolinacorefc on Instagram for live updates throughout the match.
First Win at Home for the Foxes
Carolina Core FC earned their first home win last Saturday, 2-1, after an exciting match against in-state opponent Crown Legacy FC (CLFC).
Following a gripping first half, CCFC would take the lead thanks to a sensational strike from wingback Jathan Juarez. The Foxes won the ball after Crown Legacy hit them on the counterattack and launched a counterattack of their own just before halftime.
A long ball from Juarez found Derek Cuevas, who held the ball up well. Cuevas found captain Jacob Evans, and the Englishman connected with Juarez, who unleashed a missile of a shot into the top left corner of the net to give The Core a 1-0 advantage going into the half.
Crown Legacy FC would respond with a goal early in the second half. Midfielder Aron John won the ball around the CCFC penalty box. John took multiple touches before squaring the ball to forward Dylan Sing, who tapped the ball into the net to tie the game at 1-1.
CCFC would take the lead back for good, in the 76th minute with a goal from in-form forward Josuha Rodriguez. Jacob Evans sent a corner kick towards the top of the penalty box, where defender Kai Thomas was there to head the ball back into the penalty area. Ultimately, the ball fell to the Honduran striker, who reacted quickly, putting his foot out and redirecting the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Core would hold onto the lead for the rest of the game to take the three points, earning their first ever home win at Truist Point Stadium.
Last Matchup
The last matchup between these two independent clubs happened in Matchweek 15 of MLSNP this season. Carolina Core FC would come out on top 2-1, securing their second win of the season.
The game could not have started better for The Foxes. A long pass from goalkeeper Alex Sutton found wingback Carlos Mario Diaz, who ran through on goal before sliding the ball into the box to midfielder Facundo Canete. The Argentinian took a few touches before turning onto his left foot and slotting a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Core would double their lead in the 29th minute of the game. Wingback Jathan Juarez picked up the ball at midfield following a pass from captain Jacob Evans. The former Houston Dynamo 2 player would take on the defense, skipping past two defenders before playing a ball across the six-yard box where Josuha Rodriguez would tap the ball into the open net giving CCFC a comfortable 2-0 lead.
In the 76th minute, Chattanooga would pull a goal back with a near-post finish from substitute Jalen James.
The goal would not be enough for CFC to make the comeback, as CCFC controlled the rest of the game to take the three points on the road.
Chattanooga FC
Fellow independent team Chattanooga FC (CFC) enters the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union II.
The game started off well for Union II, as midfielder Chris Olney Jr. crossed a ball in from the left flank into the box, which striker Edward Davis capitalized on as he finished the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Chattanooga would equalize in the 34th minute, as defender Duván Viáfara would score a header off a Milo Garvanian corner to make it 1-1.
Union II would take the lead back in the 48th minute, when midfielder Cavan Sullivan scored a near-post shot from defender Francis Westfield.
Union II would extend their lead to 3-1, as a press from Union’s attack led to them winning the ball near the Chattanooga penalty box. The ball fell to striker Markus Anderson, whose shot was deflected into the path of substitute Leandro Soria, who passed the ball into the net.
Chattanooga FC now has six wins, five losses, and six draws and sits fourth in the Eastern Conference with 28 points.
