CARY, N.C. - North Carolina FC impressed in its League One debut but ultimately fell short, as Greenville Triumph SC earned a 2-1 win at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night.
The first 45 minutes were highly entertaining, with Greenville's Marios Lomis opening the scoring 10 minutes in. The Dutch striker's goal from the penalty spot was his third in his last two matches, but it would take North Carolina FC just five minutes to equalize in some style.
Josh Coan's long aerial pass beat the entire Triumph defense and found Selmir Miscic, who paralyzed his defender with a series of stepovers. Having created space for himself, Miscic fired home a fine finish for NCFC's first League One goal.
Both goalkeepers remained busy, and North Carolina's Jake McGuire made an unbelievable full-stretch save to deny Triumph SC's Abdi Mohamed what would have been an incredible long-range goal midway through the first half.
Greenville got back in front in the 65th minute, thanks to some enterprising play from substitute Jesus Ibarra. With one of his first touches, Ibarra whipped in an excellent cross, which Lachlan McLean headed in for his second goal in as many games.
NCFC piled on the pressure late, and were somehow denied on a 90th minute double chance by a block and the post. But Greenville held on to claim all three points, improving to 3-0-0 ahead of next Sunday's marquee matchup with Union Omaha (4 p.m. ET on ESPN2).
USLLeagueOne.com Man of the Match
Lachlan McLean, Greenville Triumph SC - In addition to scoring the winner, McLean battle well, winning eight duels and making five recoveries.
Goal Summary