HIGH POINT, NC (March 28, 2026) — Carolina Core FC earned a hard-fought point at Truist Point Saturday afternoon, playing to a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF II before falling in the developmental shootout.
The Core dominated the opening twenty minutes, pinning the visitors back with an effective high press. David Diaz ignited the attack early with a length-of-the-pitch solo run, while Mehdi Zerkane and Khalid Balogun both forced high-quality saves from inside the 18-yard box. Balogun was particularly dangerous in the air, nearly finding the opener in the 16th minute when his goal-bound header was tipped onto the crossbar.
Despite the Core’s flurry of chances, Inter Miami II struck against the run of play in the 36th minute. Idoh Zeltzer-Subida latched onto a ball in the box and fired the visitors ahead 1-0 at the break.
After a cagey start to the second half, the Core found their footing in the 71st minute. Substitute Anthony Sumo Jr. nearly made an instant impact, seeing his close-range header acrobatically saved. Moments later, Jair Caiza danced past the keeper, though his subsequent shot narrowly missed the near post.
The relentless pressure finally paid off in the 85th minute as substitutes Nathan Brown and Thomas Raimbault linked up for the equalizer. After a clever feed from Brown, Raimbault slotted a low shot home for his first goal in a Carolina Core jersey.
While the Core secured a point for the draw, Inter Miami II claimed the additional point in the post-match penalty shootout.
Carolina Core FC returns to action on April 12, when they travel to Chester, PA, to take on Philadelphia Union II.
MATCH DETAILS
Date: March 28, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro
Venue: Truist Point Stadium | High Point, NC
Kickoff: 3.00 p.m. ET
Weather: 55 degrees, Sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
FT: 1-1 (Penalties: 2-0)
LINEUPS
CCFC: Nick Holliday; Jair Caiza, Charles Orbaugh, Santiago Yepes (Nolan Evers 82'), Tim Zeegers (C); Medhi Zerkane, Mohamed Diakite, Ricardo Montenegro; David Diaz (Nathan Brown 82'), Khalid Balogun (Thomas Raimbault 71'), Dyllan John (Anthony Sumo Jr. 62')
Substitutes not used: Trevor Jackson, Dominique Colon, Alenga Charles, Nelson Martinez, Robinson Aguirre
Inter Miami II: Levi Williams; Alejo Ristano (Matthew Perez 57'), Tyler Hall, Lesther Garcia, Theo Vorenkamp; Preston Plambeck, Naej Desravins (Mark Rodriguez 89'), Jo Jo (C), Alejandro Flores (Diego Matos 79'); Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida, Diego Rey
Substitutes not used: Samuel Basabe, Brandon Souza, Arturo Querales, Gabriel Florentino, Kensly Edson Davilma, Maximo Armando.
STATS SUMMARY
CCFC / MIA
Shots: 23 / 11
Shots on Goal: 7 / 2
Saves: 1 / 6
Corners: 7 / 3
Possession: 0% / 0%
Fouls: 15 / 13
Yellow Cards: 2 / 5
Red Cards: 0 / 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
MIA: 27' - Alego Ristano (Yellow)
CCFC: 51' - Tim Zeegers (Yellow)
MIA: 60' - Lesther Garcia (Yellow)
MIA: 67' - Diego Rey (Yellow)
MIA: 87' - Diego Matos (Yellow)
CCFC: 90' - Nolan Evers (Yellow)
MIA: 90' + 4' - Theo Vorenkamp (Yellow)
