CARY, N.C. (Feb. 1, 2018) – North Carolina FC will begin preparations for its 2018 USL season on Monday, Feb. 5, as players report to preseason training camp. The preseason schedule for NCFC’s return to the USL will feature five exhibitions against a variety of professional and college teams.



“It’s exciting. The offseason is always too long,” said North Carolina FC Head Coach Colin Clarke. “We’re looking forward to a good selection of games this preseason. Obviously starting off with Atlanta is a tough one, but one that we’re looking forward to. We’re just ready to get back at it. The players are getting their entrance physicals and getting ready to go. It’s a new league and a new start. We’re looking forward to having a successful season.”



North Carolina FC will open its preseason schedule with a closed-door match against MLS side Atlanta United on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Atlanta.



The club will have two home matches during the preseason slate, facing college opponents UNC Wilmington and NC State. Both college teams feature many familiar faces within the club, as NCFC Youth Academy and NCFC U-23 players have gone on to play with the two schools. In total, 18 NCFC Youth Academy products and 8 NCFC U-23 players played for the two college teams in 2017.



Once again, North Carolina FC will reignite its rivalry with Charlotte Independence in the preseason. NCFC will make the trip to Matthews, N.C., to face Charlotte on Sunday, Feb. 25. Last year, the two sides played to a thrilling 4-4 draw in the preseason before North Carolina FC bounced the Independence from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a resounding 4-1 victory last May.



The club will close out the preseason schedule with a visit to Charleston, S.C., and MUSC Health Stadium to face the Charleston Battery – another club with which NCFC has enjoyed a long-standing regional rivalry.



All home preseason matches will be free and open to the public. Additional details on field location and kickoff times will be released in the coming weeks.



North Carolina FC season tickets are now on sale and feature the newest membership benefit – Beer for the Year. Fans who opt in to the added membership bonus by March 1 will receive one free Lonerider North Carolina Football Club Captain’s Ale at every regular-season home match for no added cost. To purchase season tickets, sign up for Beer for the Year or ask questions regarding the home opener, please call the North Carolina FC office at 919-459-8144 to speak with a ticket representative. For more information about the club, visit NorthCarolinaFC.com.



2018 North Carolina FC Preseason Schedule

Date Time Opponent H/A Location Wednesday, Feb. 14 N/A Atlanta United (closed door) Away Atlanta, Ga. Sunday, Feb. 18 11 a.m. UNCW Home Cary, N.C. Sunday, Feb. 25 1 p.m. Charlotte Independence Away Matthews, N.C. Saturday, March 3 10 a.m. NC State Away Raleigh, N.C. Saturday, March 10 TBA Charleston Battery Away Charleston, S.C.



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