North Carolina FC fell to Miami FC 1–0 on Tuesday at Sahlen’s Stadium in WakeMed Soccer Park. This was the first loss of the NASL Fall Season for North Carolina FC and the first defeat in five matches, dating back to July 7th when they fell to FC Edmonton 2–1.

This was also the first loss at home since June 24, ending a five-match home unbeaten streak that included a scoreless draw with English Premier League club Swansea City. It was a good run for the team that struggled at the beginning of the summer.

North Carolina FC had many chances in the first 10 minutes of the game, and likely should have taken the lead, but Miami FC goalkeeper Daniel Vega came up with some incredible saves.

But in the game of soccer, all you need is one chance to change the course of the game. And Miami FC took advantage of that chance when Ariel Martinez played in a beautiful ball to forward Jaime Chavez, who put the ball into the back of the net to give the visitors a 1–0 lead 15 minutes into the first half.

NCFC nearly equalized four minutes later on a counter attack led by Jose Carranza, but that finished with Lance Laing’s shot going just a bit high. With just over 10 minutes left in the first half, Nazim Albadawi nearly put NCFC on the score sheet as well, but Vega was positioned well enough to make yet another incredible save.

Miami led going into the break and in the second half, NCFC still had some fine chances to score. Laing once again had an opportunity to score in the 50th minute off of a one-on-one, but failed to push the ball past Vega.

After parking the bus, Miami’s back line was too much for NCFC to handle, and while Carolina had several chances to score, including some corners in the stoppage time, it just was not Oak City’s night.

James Marcelin for NCFC makes his way down field. (Photo courtesy of North Carolina FC)

Next up, North Carolina will travel out to the Bay for a Saturday matchup with the San Francisco Deltas. NCFC have not beaten the new NASL side. NCFC fell to the Deltas 3–1 on April 8 at Kezar Stadium and again lost to San Francisco on May 6th, 2–1 at WakeMed.

North Carolina FC is now fourth in the early NASL Fall Season standings and looks to make up ground in the next couple of matches in hopes of nabbing a coveted playoff spot.