Toronto FC II play host to North Carolina FC on Wednesday, April 18 at 8:00 PM at BMO Field. To get you set here is everything you need to know about NCFC.
2017 Season
North Carolina FC spent the 2017 season in the North American Soccer League (NASL) finishing 3rd place overall before switching over to the USL for the 2018 Season.
NCFC, formally known as the Carolina Railhawks, was founded in 2007 in the then USL First division. After three seasons in the USL, the franchise switched to the NASL where it remained for six seasons.
NCFC bowed out in the semifinals of the 2017 NASL playoffs. Jamaican international Lance Laing led the team in scoring with eight goals but has since made a move to FC Cincinnati.
All-time record
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two franchises.
Current Form
The switch to the USL has not gone smoothly for North Carolina. They have opened the season with three straight defeats.
They were run out in their home opener by the Tampa Bay Rowdies, lost a close battle with Richmond and then fell to fellow USL newcomer Indy Eleven last weekend.
NCFC have a big match before heading to Toronto this weekend as they take on their Interstate rivals the Charlotte Independence on Saturday.
Key Players
The North Carolina attack is led by former Mexican U-20 international Daniel Rios. The 23-year-old is currently with NCFC on loan from C.D. Guadalajara. The forward has scored once in his three appearances this season.
Playing on the left side of the midfield is former MLS player Austin da Luz. Da Luz is a veteran of 21 MLS games with both the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon is in his fifth season in North Carolina and has made 76 appearances for the franchise registering nine goals in all competitions.
Gambian international Mamadou “Futty” Danso leads the backline. After a collegiate career at SPSU, the defender made eight appearances with the then Cary Railhawks. He found his way to Portland making 60 MLS appearances and then to Montreal playing briefly in 2014 with the Impact. He bounced around the lower divisions in the US before spending 2017 in the first division in Malaysia. The 34-year-old has 19 appearances for the Gambian national team scoring twice. He currently leads NCFC in total passes and passes per 90.
In between the sticks, NCFC employs 25-year-old Greek Alexandros Tabakis. The native of Athens is in his first season with NCFC. The keeper came up with Greek giants Panathinaikos before coming stateside in 2016 to play with the Charleston Battery. Last season Tabakis was on a first team contract with Atlanta United and made one MLS appearance coming on as a substitute.
Canadian Content
The lone Canadian on the squad should be no stranger to Toronto FC fans. Former Red Kyle Bekker is in his first season with NCFC. The native of Oakville was selected by TFC in the first round of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. The midfielder made 29 appearances with TFC over two seasons before being dealt to FC Dallas prior to the 2015 season.
Bekker has bounced around since, playing for the Impact and the 2017 NASL Soccer Bowl Champion San Fransico Deltas. Bekker has played in all three NCFC matches this year firing two shots on target.
Tickets for Wednesday’s clash at BMO are available here. TFC members are reminded to redeem their tickets using the code sent to their emails.
