PLAYER OF THE WEEK | North Carolina FC Forward Matt Fondy
North Carolina FC handed in the top team performance in Week 4 of the (NASL Spring Season, and forward Matt Fondy played the starring role.
Fondy was named NASL Player of the Week on Monday for his efforts in the club’s 3-1 win over FC Edmonton at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday night. Fondy scored a goal and drew a foul that set up another, continuing his impressive start to the 2017 campaign.
North Carolina didn’t waste any time getting on the board over the weekend. Fondy drew a foul after some strong hold-up play and paved the way for teammate Lance Laing to drill a free kick into the top corner in the fourth minute.
After club captain Nazmi Albadawi doubled the North Carolina lead, Fondy found the back of the net just after halftime. Coming down the right flank, defender Steven Miller picked out Fondy, who had made a driving run to the near post. The California native did the rest from there, volleying a shot past Eddies goalkeeper Chris Konopka to make the score 3-0 in the 48th minute.
The goal was Fondy’s second of the season, and it helped North Carolina get its first victory of 2017 and jump into fourth place in the Spring Season Standings.
Fondy joined North Carolina last June after starting the 2016 NASL season with Jacksonville Armada FC. The 27-year-old forward was unable to find the back of the net for Jacksonville in eight league appearances, but his scoring touch instantly came back to life in North Carolina.
The former UC Santa Cruz standout scored seven goals for North Carolina during the second half of the 2016 season, and already has two to his name this year. Fondy and North Carolina FC will visit Miami FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen live on ESPN3 (U.S.) and NASL.com (Canada).
