Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchday 6
Date: Monday, April 22, 2024
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Location: SeatGeek Stadium (Bridgeview, Illinois)
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
SOCIAL TAGS:
Match-specific hashtag: CCFCvCFFCII
Instagram: @carolinacore_fc
Carolina Core FC record: 0-2-1 (2 points – 15th in East)
Chicago Fire FC II record: 1-0-3 (8 points – 6th in East)
Carolina Core FC continues its early season road trip on Monday, April 22nd, against Chicago Fire FC II. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with a live stream available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Chicago Fire FC II matches are free of charge at SeatGeek Stadium.
Fans can also follow @CarolinaCore_FC on X for live updates throughout the match.
Carolina Core FC is coming into the match on the back of a 1-0 loss in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup to intrastate rivals, North Carolina FC in a Carolina Derby.
The team held the USL Championship side to a 0-0 scoreline until the 61st minute, where North Carolina FC forward Julian Placias scored a right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left of the goal.
CCFC had good chances to level the match, but couldn’t find the equalizer. The match marked the end of the Foxes impressive U.S. Open Cup run, which saw the team achieve comeback victories against Nova FC and Vermont Green FC.
Carolina Core FC participated as one of three MLS NEXT Pro teams to make it to the 3rd round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In their inaugural season, CCFC joined fellow MLSNP sides Chicago Fire FC II and NYCFC in the 3rd round.
Goalkeeper Alex Sutton was very busy in Wednesday night’s U.S. Open Cup match, making seven saves throughout the game. Sutton made two saves that denied North Carolina FC from scoring from close range. The 23-year-old keeper was vital in keeping CCFC in the match until the very end.
After scoring the game-winning goal in the CCFC’s first two U.S. Open Cup matches, Josuha Rodriguez earned his first start for the club on Wednesday evening against intrastate rivals North Carolina FC. The CCFC forward played the full 90 minutes and showcased his offensive prowess in attacking third. In the 88th minute of the match, it looked as if Josuha would have another U.S. Open Cup magic moment. The forward put the ball in the back of the net after latching on to a pass from Kai Thomas; however, the goal was disallowed for offsides.
Chicago Fire FC II
After making it to the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 2023, Chicago Fire FC II looks to retain a much-coveted playoff spot again this season.
They are led by Ludovic Taillandier in his third season at the helm, after serving as the Technical Director of the French Soccer Institute of California from 2013-2019. Taillandier is a UEFA A and UEFA A Youth Elite licensed coach who possesses eighteen years of experience as a head coach.
The team are currently in 5th position after one victory and three draws. From the three penalty shoot-outs they have participated in, CFFC II have won twice, bringing their points total to 8 this season.
Chicago Fire FC II enters the game on the back of a stunning 5-5 draw against Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls II. Having already emerged victorious from two penalty shootouts (against FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union II, respectively), CFFC II were confident heading into the shootout but it wouldn’t be their day. They fell 4-3 on penalties at the MSU Soccer Park.
The team showcased resilience, coming back from a 4-0 deficit in the span of five minutes on either side of halftime. CFFC II midfielder Harold Osorio scored a hat trick of penalties to make the match 4-3. NYRB II would widen the gap to two goals again in the 68th minute, making it 5-3. Chicago Fire FC II midfielder Dawid Poręba would score a brace in the last seventeen minutes of the match to force a penalty shootout against the league leaders.
With nine goals scored in their opening four matches of the season, Chicago Fire FC II are not afraid to push numbers forward and attack their opponent. CFFC II midfielder Harold Osorio is the team’s top-scorer with four goals. Midfielder Dawid Poręba takes his goal tally to 3 goals for the season after scoring a second half brace against New York Red Bulls II.
Fans can stream the match live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or come out to SeatGeek Stadium to support Carolina Core FC away from home.
