MATTHEWS, N.C. – The first league meeting between in-state rivals North Carolina FC and the Charlotte Independence saw the former record its first USL victory with a 2-0 result at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday evening. Daniel Rios scored the game-winning goal in the 50th minute, passing the ball into the net after his initial attempt careened back into play off the right post. Prior to that tally, Rios and Kyle Bekker had combined well in the final third on multiple occasions in the first half, but Rios was unable to convert the chances he was dealt by the Canadian international. NCFC wasn’t the only team having trouble putting its chances on frame in the first half, though, as Charlotte attempted eight shots in the opening 45 minutes but failed to truly test NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis. That trend continued into the second half for the Independence, who only put two shots on frame the entire match. As full time neared, NCFC would grab a security goal via Marios Lomis, who finished from the goalmouth in the 86th minute. With the result, NCFC improves to 1-3-0, while Charlotte moves to 2-2-1.

Scoring:

50’ – NCFC – Daniel Rios
86’ – NCFC – Mario Lomis

• #CLTvNC: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. After three previous meetings in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, NCFC and the Independence finally squared off for the first time in league play, and NCFC walked away with its third consecutive win across all competitive competitions against its in-state foe. While Rios’ name will make the headlines for netting the game-winning goal, it was the play of the midfield that truly decided the contest and saw the team record its first shutout of the season. Austin da Luz, Andre Fortune and Graham Smith all finished with passing percentages higher than 80 percent, while the three –combined with Kyle Bekker – finished the match with seven tackles and four interceptions to disrupt the Independence’s normally-lethal counter opportunities.
• 2. North Carolina FC entered Saturday night’s game sitting second in possession (59.64) across the league, despite its 0-3-0 start to the campaign. Yet, it was the Independence who had the majority of the ball throughout the match, especially during the first half, when Charlotte controlled an impressive 66.8 percent of the ball. However, unlike previous games this season, the Independence struggled to make the plays and score the goals necessary to get them points. While NCFC also had trouble putting its numerous chances to bed, the ball bounced its way on two occasions – which proved to be enough.
• 3. Saturday’s win for NCFC will undoubtedly make its fans relieved, but the result may also serve as a sign of things to come with meetings against Toronto FC II, Ottawa Fury FC and Penn FC – who are all at or near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings – on the horizon. While NCFC’s record may not show it, the team has looked like a potential playoff contender in the conference. The team is one of the best across the league at controlling possession, and if that trend continues throughout the 2018 campaign, the team should see more results go its way.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Daniel Rios, North Carolina FC – The forward netted the game-winning goal, which handed NCFC its first victory of the season.

Upcoming Games:

Charlotte Independence vs. Indy Eleven – April 28, 7 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews

North Carolina FC at Toronto FC II – April 18, 8 p.m. ET, BMO Field