WINDSOR, Colo. — Looking to extend their lead at the top of the USL League One table, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will travel to the Tar Heel State to take on North Carolina FC for the first time in 2023 on Wednesday.
“It’s another challenge, and it’s fresh, something the lads are looking forward to,” Hailstorm head coach Éamon Zayed said.
With both teams having played 16 matches this season, NCFC sits seven points behind Hailstorm FC in the table, currently in fifth place.
The strength of NCFC is in attack, with a trio of players having scored five goals or more. Forwards Oalex Anderson and Rafa Mentzingen have scored nine and six, respectively, while midfielder Louis Perez has added five.
“You only have to look at their front four,” Zayed said. “Players that can produce moments of real quality out of nothing.”
That NCFC attack will have the task of breaking down a strong Hailstorm defense which has allowed just 13 goals this season, the fewest in the league. Northern Colorado’s defense is anchored by goalkeeper Lalo Delgado, whose eight clean sheets are tied for the most in the league.
“We’re coming in with confidence, but we know it’s going to be a good defensive challenge for us,” Delgado said.
Hailstorm also boast a strong attack led by USL League One Golden Boot leader Trevor Amann, who has scored six goals in five matches in July, as well as midfielder Arthur Rogers, who has five assists this month.
Kickoff between Hailstorm and NCFC is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain time Wednesday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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The 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 leagues, tournaments, events and more.
More information is available at HailstormFC.com and FutureLegendsComplex.com.