CARY, N.C. (March 21, 2019) – North Carolina FC will take on Liga MX side Club Necaxa in an international exhibition on Saturday, March 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The game is part of a larger North Carolina Football Club Friendship Cup Doubleheader that includes the NC Courage facing Orlando Pride in a preseason match at 1 p.m. The event is presented by Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint and Summit Hospitality.



North Carolina FC enters the break from USL Championship action on top of the league table and in excellent form. The side is off to a roaring start in league play with a perfect 2W-0L-0D record. North Carolina FC dispatched two-time defending USL Cup Champions Louisville City FC, 4-1 in the season opener before taking down a tough Bethlehem Steel FC side away from home 1-0 last weekend.



The team will look to translate that success in an important measuring-stick game against Liga MX side Necaxa. The visitors hail from Aguascalientes, Mexico and were founded in 1923. Necaxa also comes into the match in form, sitting in sixth place in the Liga MX - Clausura season.



Necaxa is managed by Guillermo Vázquez, a former player who enjoyed a 15-year playing career in Mexico’s professional soccer scene. He started his managerial career in 2006 as an assistant with Pumas UNAM. Over his 13-year coaching career, he’s managed Pumas UNAM, Cruz Azul and Veracruz in addition to Necaxa.



On the field, Ventura Alvarado captains the side. Alvarado earned 13 caps with USMNT since 2015 and has been with Necaxa since 2018. Fans might also recognize Martín Barragán, who is making his second trip to Cary in the last three seasons. Barragán previously played for Atlas and scored against NCFC in the 2017 meeting.



North Carolina Football Club has enjoyed a long history of hosting exciting exhibitions against teams from around the world. Necaxa will be the ninth Mexican professional team to face the club since 2007. Overall, NCFC has posted a 3W-5L-0D record against Mexican opposition.



These exhibitions also lead to opportunity for the club to showcase its youth-to-professional pipeline. On Saturday, NCFC’s roster will feature five players who suited up for NCFC U-23 or NCFC Youth Academy in the past and two current NCFC Youth Academy players. Historically, NCFC has used the game to give minutes to developing players. Youth products such as DJ Taylor, Jeremy Kelly, Conor Donovan, Manny Perez and others have featured in these games as youth players. Academy stars Colton Pleasants and Adam Armour will be the next young players set to feature for the first team as they have been included in the roster for the upcoming match.



Prior to the match, Club Necaxa will hold an exclusive practice and autograph session for ticket holders on Friday, March 22 at 12 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park. You must show your ticket to Saturday’s doubleheader to attend the practice and autograph session.



Players To Watch:

North Carolina FC – No. 2 Manny Perez

Perez is no stranger to anyone with a pulse on North Carolina’s soccer scene. The young defender recently completed a high-profile move to Scottish giant Celtic F.C. before returning on loan to NCFC. With opportunity up for grabs, look for the talented Perez to see extended minutes on the field.



Necaxa – No. 7 Daniel Álvarez

Necaxa is full of young and talented professionals from across Latin America, but Álvarez could be one to watch. Although just 24 years old, the speedy winger has 91 Liga MX appearances since he made his professional debut in 2015. Álvarez has been a starter in Necaxa’s recent games and could challenge NCFC defenders throughout the match.



Coming Up Next:

A Southern Derby Cup fixture at home awaits North Carolina FC next weekend as Charleston Battery visits NCFC on Saturday, March 30 at 7 p.m. This will be the first Southern Derby match of the season for NCFC, as the side looks to defend its 2018 crown. Tickets are on sale online by clicking here, or available over the phone by calling the Coastal Credit Union Box Office at 919-459-8144.

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