After having Week 4 off, Northern Colorado travel to North Carolina FC.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC follow up their upset of Real Salt Lake in the previous round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a trip to Cary, North Carolina to take on North Carolina FC.
Both squads are coming off of bye weeks in Week 4. North Carolina sit seventh in the standings but are level on points with four other sides, while Northern Colorado enter in 10th with a game in hand on everyone in the league.
North Carolina’s Garrett McLaughlin enters as the joint top scorer in the league with three goals from the club’s first three games. Finding the net in each of the three matches, he is the only goal scorer for the club in USL League One matches. The other big portion of their offense is Jaden Servania, who comes in with the club lead in chances created.
On the other side of the ball, Northern Colorado’s front has been consistent scoring in each of the four competitive matches in club history. Irvin Parra and Ethan Vanacore-Decker are the team leaders in league competition. Parra’s six chances created in the two matches, along with Jerry Desdunes’ seven chances, are in the top five in the league for the stat, and lead the Hailstorm.
In goal for North Carolina FC, Will Pulisic is third in the league in terms of saves and has held one clean sheet on the season. The cousin of the U.S. Men’s National Team player Christian Pulisic has played three of their four matches so far this season during his loan from Austin FC.
Finally, the expected keeper for the Hailstorm is Thomas Olsen, who kept a clean sheet last time out against MLS opponents Real Salt Lake. Olsen made three saves against Charlotte Independence last time out in league competition.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. MDT at the WakeMED Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. Expect a wet pitch from rain earlier in the day and the chance for it to continue into gametime. The game, as with all USL League One and U.S. Open Cup games this season, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium at the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Season ticket deposits are being taken now.
Opening in 2022, the 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature two stadiums, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.