North Carolina FC overcomes red card to secure point

For the second time in as many games, North Carolina FC came from behind in the second half to earn a tie and extend its unbeaten start to the season. This time, it did it while playing a man down.

Facing USL expansion side Memphis 901 FC, NCFC (2-0-2) used Marios Lomis’ free kick in the 78th minute to earn a 1-1 draw.

Here are three observations from the game:

Da Luz’s red card puts NCFC in tough position

For much of the night, Memphis (and NCFC for that matter) struggled to string together many scoring chances. But NCFC was the first team to make a crucial, self-inflicted mistake deep in its own zone.

Thinking he had more room to work with than he did, NCFC midfielder Austin da Luz was dispossessed by Memphis midfielder Ewan Grandison right outside of the 18-yard box. Upon losing the ball, da Luz grabbed Grandison from behind, right on the edge of the area. In the eyes of official Guido Gonzales Jr., the foul occurred inside the box, and he signaled to the spot.

Da Luz was shown a red card for denying Grandison a clear goal-scoring opportunity and Burch converted moments later.

“It was mistake,” NCFC head coach Dave Sarachan said of da Luz’s red card. “Austin, I thought had a really good night up until that point. He got caught.”

Lomis continues solid start to season

A week ago against Charleston, a hand ball led to NCFC’s match-tying goal. It was déjà vu Saturday night.

Following a Memphis hand ball, NCFC second-half sub Lomis stood over the ball, preparing to take a free kick right on the edge of the box. Despite dealing with a tight angle and a six-man Memphis wall, Lomis sliced his shot above and around several bodies. Memphis goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, caught flat-footed, couldn’t cope with the pace of the shot and saw it fly right by his head.

The goal was the third in four games for Lomis, the 24-year-old Dutchman in his second season with the team.

“As a striker, scoring goals is the most fun thing to do,” Lomis explained, “and I’m enjoying it.”

Sarachan happy with resolve but views night as missed opportunity

Sarachan was pleased with how his team started and finished Saturday night’s game, but thought his group could have performed better during the middle stretch of the game.

But the NCFC boss acknowledged that the game was turned on its head with da Luz’s red card, to which he thought his players responded well. Yet, he was left disappointed with the end result.

“I thought tonight was night we’d be able to get three points,” Sarachan said. “But given the context of what happened … points matter.”