RIFC have done it again. Another playoff win and a second consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Final. The boys in amber and blue took down North Carolina FC 2-0 tonight in a tense but ultimately victorious affair. Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won their second consecutive penalty shootout to advance and host RIFC next weekend. Before we think about that though, we need to relive tonight.
First Half Thoughts
Khano Smith chose to go with essentially the same starting eleven as last week, with the one change being Aldair Sanchez replacing Jojea Kwizera (red card suspension). It was the lineup I hoped for and I thought it worked well. RIFC were the better side for the first 25 minutes or so and had some good chances to take an early lead. North Carolina then grabbed the momentum for the rest of the half, hitting the bar on one of their chances.
Overall, I thought the half was even and North Carolina’s ability to break forward quickly gave me some concern heading into the second half.
He is Chicholio
RIFC started the second half on top and it stayed that way until the end. We always looked like the more likely team to score. For awhile though, North Carolina goalkeeper Oliver Semmle was determined to keep his team in it:
He was definitely North Carolina’s man of the match.
When it looked like the game might be headed to extra time, RIFC’s hero emerged:
Chico has gotten a lot of criticism over these past two years. I know I’ve definitely doled out my fair share. But tonight, none of that mattered. He was on the field for about 22 minutes total and got the two goals that put us back in the Eastern Conference Final. All hail the great Chicholio!
What A Journey
I had a fantastic trip down to Cary today that I thought I should reflect on. RIFC superfan FQB was behind the wheel and picked up myself and fellow Tide Talk man @andrewquadros at my house at 3 am. We made the trek down and arrived at our hotel around 2 pm. This included my first ever stop at Waffle House:
There was also BBQ to be had on our way to WakeMed Soccer Park:
Incredible stuff
As for the game, the atmosphere created by La Banda and my fellow Defiance members was unreal. All in all, I’d say between 40 and 50 RIFC fans traveled down. It’s an incredible show of community and dedication. Long may it continue.
Up Next
As always, we will have Timmy’s Player Ratings and the postmatch pod to put a pin in this one. I will yet again be back here with another Prematch Lookout, this time previewing the Eastern Conference Final. I can barely believe it. What a night. What a team. UP THE TIDE!
Tide Talk 
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