Match Information:
MLS Next Pro: Matchweek 27
Date: Wednesday September 11th, 2024
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Point Stadium (High Point, NC)
Watch: Apple TV-MLS Season Pass
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: @carolinacorefc
Instagram: @philaunionii
CCFC record: 9-10-4 (34 points - 10th in East)
PHI record: 12-7-4 (43 points - 2nd in East)
Carolina Core FC look to continue their winning streak as they host Philadelphia Union II. The match will start at 6:30 p.m ET, 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.
United to The Core
In The Foxes last match, they took down New York Red Bulls II 4-2. The win now makes it four in a row for CCFC, bringing the team even closer to a coveted MLSNP playoff spot.
The match started well for NYRB II, as forward Julian Hall pounced on a ball following a save from CCFC goalkeeper Alex Sutton and passed the ball into the open net to make it 1-0. The Red Bulls would make it 2-0 in the 28th minute when defender Curtis Ofori fired a left-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
After a lightning delay and halftime, CCFC would grab a goal back from midfield captain Jacob Evans in the 48th minute, who scored a volley coming from a Facundo Canete cross into the box. CCFC would find the equalizer just 10 minutes later, as a cross from wingback Carlos Mario Diaz found the head of Canete, who nodded it back across goal to David “Pachi” Polanco to finish into the net.
The Foxes would complete the comeback in the 82nd minute, as Facundo Canete would step up and knock a penalty kick into the bottom right corner. Canete would grab his brace deep into stoppage time, as he volleyed the ball into the net following a cross from substitute Derek Cuevas.
August Fun
August was a busy month for CCFC, as the team won three consecutive games en route to being named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month! During this stretch, the team scored seven goals while only giving up two. In addition to the team award, individuals were also highlighted, as midfielder Facundo Canete won August Player of the Month, Alex Sutton won Goalkeeper of the Month, and Roy Lassiter won Coach of the Month! CCFC looks to build on its productive month as it aims to make a playoff push, currently sitting a few spots out from the last position.
Philadelphia Union II
The Philadelphia Union II currently sit second in the Eastern Conference of MLSNP with 43 points, having accumulated 12 wins, seven losses, and four draws so far this year. Last season, Union II finished seventh in the Eastern Conference, and lost to the New England Revolution II in the conference quarterfinals.
In their last match, Philadelphia Union II earned two points at home against Columbus Crew 2 after the match ended 1-1 and went to a penalty kick shootout. Union II opened up the scoring in the 29th minute, as 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan unleashed a left-footed strike from outside the box into the top left corner of the net. Columbus Crew 2 found an equalizer in the 65th minute through Brent Adu-Gyamfi. The game headed to a penalty kick shootout, where the 14-year-old Sullivan would score the game-winning penalty kick to secure Philadelphia Union II the two points.
The Union II are a high scoring team, with the club ranked third in all of MLSNP in goals scored. Forward Edward Davis leads the line for Union II, having amassed 11 goals on the season, fifth in MLSNP. Midfielder Chris Olney Jr leads the team in assists with seven, and Francis Westfield follows behind him with six assists on the season.
The Union II have a group of impressive players that are making their mark at the youth national team level. Defender Neil Pierre was selected to play for the U.S. Under-18’s Youth National Team for their upcoming tournament in Japan. Midfielder Cavan Sullivan was also selected to play with the U.S. U17's team for their tournament in the Czech Republic. The Union II’s, 18-year-old Giovanny Sequera also received a call up, with the midfielder being selected to play with Venezuela’s senior team as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Uruguay.
