High Point, NC (August 22, 2026) - Carolina Core FC battled through a tightly contested first half before FC Cincinnati 2 pulled away after the break, as the Foxes fell 3-1 Saturday night at Truist Point Stadium.
Carolina Core FC opened the match on the front foot, looking to establish an attacking rhythm early against FC Cincinnati 2. Nick Kaloukian and David Diaz both generated opportunities for the Foxes as the Core worked to create chances in the attacking third.
Cincinnati responded by finding space behind the Carolina Core back line and creating dangerous opportunities of its own. The Foxes remained organized defensively, however, keeping the visitors off the scoreboard as the opening half progressed.
Neither side was able to find the breakthrough before the halftime whistle, sending the teams into the break level at 0-0.
Carolina Core came out of halftime continuing to apply pressure to the Cincinnati back line as the Foxes searched for the opening goal. The visitors eventually broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a set-piece opportunity to take the lead early in the second half.
Cincinnati extended its advantage in the 66th minute when Stefan Chirila converted from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.
The visitors added another in the 79th minute when Nathan Gray found space outside the penalty area and finished to give Cincinnati a three-goal advantage heading into the closing stages of the match.
Despite the deficit, the Foxes continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 82nd minute. Antonio Pineda capitalized on a deflection off Cincinnati goalkeeper David Paz and found the back of the net, giving Carolina Core a late spark and cutting into the visitors' advantage.
The Core continued to press forward throughout the final minutes, searching for another goal and putting pressure on the Cincinnati defense. The Foxes were unable to complete the late comeback, however, as FC Cincinnati 2 held on through the closing stages to secure the result.
Carolina Core FC return to action on Saturday, August 29, as they head north to take on Chattanooga FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: August 22, 2026
Competition:Â MLS NEXT Pro
Venue: Truist Point Stadium | High Point, NC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: 90º degrees, Sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
FT 1 - 3
FFC - 52' Sami Lachekar Â
FFC - 66' Stefan Chirila
FFC - 79' Nathan Gray
CCFC - 82' Antoino Pineda
LINEUPS
Carolina Core FC: Nick Holliday; Charles Orbaugh, Nolan Evers, Bryce Swinehart (75' Andrew Czech); Ricardo Montenegro (58' Graham Ford), David Diaz (67' Tristan Weber), Ryan Baer, Bodie Ford (46' Seth Hammond); Thomas Raimbault, Nicholas Kaloukian (58' Antonio Pineda), Arnaud Tattevin
Substitutes not used: Trevor Jackson, Khalid Balogun, Corey Lundeen, Rashid Tetteh
FC Cincinnati 2: David Paz; Charlie Holmes, Felix Samson, Landon Born (72' Deiver Mosquera), Lachekar; Leonardo Orejarena, Camden Sphire (72' Yair Ramos), Ademar Chavez (46' Nathan Gray), Ayoub Lajhar; Stefan Chirila (90'+3' Jack Mize), Mathias Vasquez (61' Cheikhou Niang)
Substitutes not used: Marioni, Saunders
STATS SUMMARY
CCFC / FCC
Shots: 22 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 5
Saves: 2 / 1
Corners: 7 / 3
Possession: 0%/ 0%
Fouls: 12 / 14
Yellow Cards: 0 / 2
Red Cards: 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
FCC - 63' Felix Samson
FCC - 85' David Paz
