High Point, NC (March 19, 2026) — Carolina Core FC fell short in its 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round matchup on Thursday night, dropping a 2-1 decision to Virginia Dream FC at Truist Point.
The Core created several scoring opportunities throughout the first half. In the 27th minute, Robinson Aguirre forced a save with a header following a free-kick scramble, and just before the break, Tim Zeegers found Anthony Sumo Jr. in the box, though his subsequent effort was saved. Goalkeeper Nick Holliday was also called into action in the 39th minute, making a steady save on a hard strike from inside the penalty area to keep the match level at the break.
After a scoreless first half, Tim Zeegers scored his first goal for the Core in style, netting a 52nd-minute strike from distance to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
The visitors responded quickly, with Zoumana Diarra leveling the match in the 58th minute. Following multiple substitutions by both sides, the Dream eventually found the winner in the 78th minute through a strike by Akingbolahan Akinkoye.
Despite an increased attacking presence and the professional debut of 27-year-old striker Khalid Balogun, the Foxes were unable to find an equalizer in the final minutes before full-time.
Carolina Core FC is next in action on the road this Sunday, March 22, against Chicago Fire II in MLS NEXT Pro regular season play.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: March 19, 2026
Competition: US Open Cup
Venue: Truist Point | High Point, NC
Kickoff: 6.00 p.m. ET
Weather: 56 degrees, sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
FT: 1-2
CCFC: Tim Zeegers 52'
VDFC: Zoumana Diarra 58'
VDFC: Akingbolahan Akinkoye 78'
LINEUPS
CCFC: Nick Holliday; Dominique Colon (68' Jair Caiza), Santiago Yepes, Nolan Evers (C), Tim Zeegers; Robinson Aguirre (46' David Diaz), Thomas Raimbault, Ricardo Montenegro; Dyllan John (68' Jesus Ibarra), Anthony Sumo Jr. (55' Khalid Balogun), Nathan Brown
Substitutes not used: Nolan Anderson, Charles Orbaugh, Mohamed Diakite.
Virginia Dream: Austin Heid; James Filerman, Gnaoua Dominique Florian Kossehasse, Hector Guerrero (C), Harri Hawkins; Jean-Christophe Koffi, Michael Deshields, Zoumana Diarra; Akingbolahan Akinkoye, Elijah Amo, Nicolas Likulia
STATS SUMMARY
CCFC / Virginia Dream
Shots: 10 / 7
Shots on Goal: 5 / 4
Saves: 2 / 4
Possession: 60% / 40%
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
VDFC: Elijah Amo (Yellow) 6'
CCFC: Santiago Yepes (Yellow) 26'
CCFC: Robinson Aguirre (Yellow) 42'
CCFC: Ricardo Montenegro (Yellow) 63'
CCFC: Jesus Ibarra (Yellow) 71'
CCFC: Khalid Balogun (Yellow) 76'
VDFC: Hector Guerrero (Yellow) 90'
OFFICIALS
Head Official: Yannick Rothfuss
Referee Assistants: Robert Leonard & Kai Runyan
Fourth Official: Jordan Castillejo
