CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Huntsville City Football Club secured two points and a victory in its MLS NEXT Pro debut against Crown Legacy FC on Sunday afternoon with a brace from striker Azaad Liadi. Regulation time concluded in a 2-2 tie, which sent the teams into a shootout that Huntsville City FC won 4-3.
MLS NEXT Pro rules state that if a match ends in a tie after 90 minutes, the contest will transition to penalties to decide who earns the extra point, while the team suffering defeat gains one point in the standings. With that Huntsville City FC has now 2 points while Crown Legacy only recorded 1.
Liadi scored the first goal in Huntsville City FC history just eight minutes into the match after navigating through two defenders and delivering a powerful shot with his right foot above the keeper’s head.
Crown Legacy tied the match 20 minutes later by converting a penalty kick following a handball in the penalty area.
Liadi scored his second goal in the 72nd minute after Jonathan Bolaños played a ball through the attacking zone. Liadi timed his run perfectly and in a one-on-one with the keeper, the striker danced around him to finish his brace.
Crown Legacy tied the contest in stoppage time to send the match into penalties. Adem Sipic scored in the top frame of the sixth round, while goalkeeper Ben Martino made a kick save to secure the extra point for Huntsville.
After the match, Head Coach Jack Collison spoke to the media about the excitement of winning the first match in club history, the play of his team and how important the support from the city of Huntsville has been. Azaad Liadi gave a breakdown on his goals, the impact his teammates had while sharing his perspective on the match. Footage of their post-match remarks can be found here.
Box Score:
Huntsville City FC (0W-0L-1D-1SOW, 2 pts.) vs. Crown Legacy FC (0W-0L-1D-0SOW, 1 pt.)
March 26, 2023 – Sportsplex at Matthews | Matthews, North Carolina
Final Score
CLFC: 1
HCFC: 1
Huntsville City FC secures victory via penalties (4-3)
Scoring Summary
HCFC: Azaad Liadi (Kemy Amiche) 8’
CLFC: Brandon Cambridge (penalty) 29’
HCFC: Azaad Liadi (Jonathan Bolaños) 72’
CLFC: Nicholas Scardina (unassisted) 90+3