WINDSOR, Colo. – After defeating the Greenville Triumph SC last Saturday, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will host North Carolina FC on Saturday evening. North Carolina is without a win in their previous four matches.
The USL League One Golden Boot race is starting to heat up. North Carolina’s Garrett McLaughlin is still in the running with ten goals. McLaughlin has scored 37% of North Carolina’s goals this season, the highest percentage of any team’s goals scored by a single player.
Last week, North Carolina’s Will Pulisic returned to his role as the starting keeper for the first time since July 27. In his first game back, he kept a clean sheet against Forward Madison FC in a nil-nil draw. He then conceded a late equalizer in the 1-1 draw with FC Tucson last Saturday. Despite the time out of the starting role, Pulisic is fourth in the league in saves with 48.
Brecc Evans has been a top defender for the Hailstorm this season. He leads Northern Colorado with 83 clearances and 38 interceptions. The former USL League One champion has added his first two career goals this season, tying him for third on the team in goals scored.
Entering Week 23, Northern Colorado is not far out of the playoff picture. Based on the current standings, the Hailstorm schedule is the easiest in the league in the remaining games this season.
The kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. MDT at Severance High School in Severance, Colorado. Expect a warm one in the 90s at kickoff. This game, as with all USL League One games this season, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The future home of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, 2,500-seat Future Legends Field, multiple baseball diamonds, multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.