USL League Two | July 2, 2026

North Carolina FC U23 and Tobacco Road Play Out Stalemate in Cary

A tightly contested USL League Two clash between North Carolina FC U23 and Tobacco Road ended in a 0-0 draw at WakeMed Soccer Park on Thursday night. Both sides struggled to find the cutting edge in front of goal, leaving the points shared in a match that highlighted defensive organization over attacking flair.

The home side entered the fixture looking to build momentum in the South Atlantic Division, but they were met by a well-drilled Tobacco Road defense that absorbed pressure throughout the first half. North Carolina FC U23 controlled possession early on, with midfielders Benji Michel and Aidan Morris dictating the tempo, but clear-cut chances remained scarce. The visitors, meanwhile, relied on quick counter-attacks, with striker Ethan Hardin forcing a sharp save from home goalkeeper Jack Savage in the 34th minute.

Second Half Struggles for Both Attackers

The second half followed a similar pattern, with North Carolina FC U23 pressing high after the interval. Head coach Drew Duncan introduced fresh legs in the 60th minute, bringing on winger Tyrese Spaulding to add width. Spaulding immediately created two dangerous crosses, but Tobacco Road’s center-back pairing of Liam O’Connor and Marcus Webb stood firm.

Tobacco Road nearly snatched a winner in the 82nd minute when substitute forward Daniel Perez latched onto a through ball, only to see his angled drive whistle just wide of the far post. The final ten minutes saw end-to-end action, but neither goalkeeper was truly tested as the match ended scoreless.

Standout Performances

• Jack Savage (North Carolina FC U23): The home goalkeeper was alert when called upon, making a solid first-half save and commanding his area well on set pieces.
• Liam O’Connor (Tobacco Road): The central defender was a rock at the back, winning multiple aerial duels and making crucial interceptions.
• Ethan Hardin (Tobacco Road): Worked tirelessly up front and nearly opened the scoring but lacked support from midfield.

Season Implications

The draw leaves North Carolina FC U23 in the middle of the South Atlantic Division table, while Tobacco Road moves one point closer to the playoff places. Both teams will need to find more consistency in attack if they are to challenge for a postseason berth in the coming weeks.