Huntsville, Ala.(May 19, 2023) – In its first ever match at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, Huntsville City Football Club picked up its first win, a 2-1 that snapped Eastern Conference leaders Crown Legacy FC’s unbeaten run. Jony Bolaños made club history by scoring the first goal for HCFC at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. Azaad Liadi’s team-leading third goal of the season marked the winner. A sellout crowd of 5,605 fans attended the historic match.
Before the match, Huntsville City FC welcomed fans to Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, where thousands of them got the opportunity to visit the Yellowhammer Brewing Craft Beer Garden, hear the national anthem from Huntsville artist Dawn Osborne, and watch the Wicks Family do the honorary coin flip.
When the match got underway, Crown Legacy got on the board in the opening minutes courtesy of Jacob Williams. In the last five minutes of the first half, Huntsville City FC found a breakthrough after a series of passes got Randall Leal, making his HCFC debut from Nashville SC, to serve it up for Jony Bolaños, who finished it off to equalize.
Watch Bolaños’ historic goal here.
Huntsville grabbed the lead in the 70th minute on the counterattack, as Ollie Wright found a long ball to Liadi, who put it past the Crown Legacy keeper. HCFC was able to hold off the Eastern Conference leaders to secure its first win of their inaugural campaign
Watch Liadi’s goal here.
After the match Head Coach Jack Collison, Liadi and Bolaños spoke to the media. Coach Collison discussed the energy the crowd brought, finishing off chances, and seeing the match out to the end.
Huntsville City FC will return to action next week at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium against New York Red Bulls II on Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
Notes:
· Huntsville City
o played its first ever home match at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
o has scored in six of its first eight matches
· Jony Bolaños
o has started every match for Huntsville City FC
o scored the first goal for Huntsville City FC at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
· Isaiah Johnston served as team captain for the first time
· Randall Leal made his Huntsville City FC debut playing 64 minutes
· Azaad Liadi scored his team-leading third goal of the season
Box Score:
Huntsville City FC (1W-4L-3D, 3SOW, 9 pts.) vs. Crown Legacy (7W-1L-1D, 0SOW, 22 pts.)
Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium | Huntsville, Ala.
Final Score
HCFC: 2
CLFC: 1
Scoring Summary
CLFC: Jacob Williams (A: Iuri Tavares) 4’
HCFC: Jony Bolaños (A: Randall Leal) 41’
HCFC: Azaad Liadi (A: Ollie Wright) 70’
Discipline
HCFC: Kemy Amiche (caution) 18’
HCFC: Isaiah Johnston (caution) 38’
CLFC: Jacob Williams (caution) 50’
CLFC: Jack Neeley (caution) 53’
HCFC: Tyler Freeman (caution) 69’
Lineups:
HCFC Starters: Ben Martino, Josh Drack, Cyrus Rad, Sean Suber (Ahmed Longmire 74’), Chris N’sa, Jony Bolaños (Joey Skinner 87’), Joey DeZart, Isaiah Johnston (C), Kemy Amiche (Ollie Wright 64’), Azaad Liadi (Nick Law 74’), Randall Leal (Tyler Freeman 64’)
Substitutes: John Berner, Nebiyou Perry, Perrin Barnes, Shaun Joash
CLFCStarters: Isaiah Walker, João Pedro, Jacob Williams, Jack Neeley, Ervin Cruz-Garcia, Nikola Petkovic (Erik Pena Boardman 80’), Philip Mayaka, David Poreba (Gruman Sangha 74’), Iuri Tavares (Mark Filipovic 80’), Vinicius Mello (Josué Rodrigues 80’), Thiago (Brian Romero 58’)
Substitutes: Nate Silveira, James Nyandjo, Brandon Marshall, Aron John
Attendance: 5,605
