Albadawi’s return to the club coincides with the Fourth Round of the Open Cup, the point at which Major League Soccer sides join the party and big upsets traditionally occur. By the time North Carolina FC face New York City FC up in the Big Apple, Albadawi will have two league games under his belt. Even with such a short runway, you get the sense he’s up for the Cup.
“Man, It’s such a special tournament,” said Albadawi, who made his debut in the 2014 tournament where NCFC (then still the Carolina RailHawks) beat Chivas USA and LA Galaxy to reach a Quarterfinal. “You win or you go home. There’s no next week to make up for a bad performance. This will be NCFC’s first time playing New York City FC. It’s a real challenge, but upsets always happen. They just do.”
The midfield schemer knows this fact better than most. Anything Can Happen might as well be stamped across every Open Cup match ball. “When we beat the Galaxy back in 2014, it was like we were in a dream,” said Albadawi about the day when his second division side beat a glitzy LA Galaxy that would be crowned champions of MLS later that year. “I mean, you were there at the end celebrating and Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were on the losing side, walking to their locker room. It was a huge deal and something you just don’t forget. It’s the best Open Cup memory I have and one of the best of my career.”
Shades of 2014 in #USOC2019?
Following NCFC as a devoted fan during his time up in Southern Ohio, Albadawi saw his hometown side brush off the Richmond Kickers with ease (4-1) in the Open Cup’s Second Round. Then they picked up the potential banana skin of Miami amateurs Florida Soccer Soldiers and placed it gently in the nearest trash bin, winning 1-0 in the Third Round. There seems to be a blooming Cup chemistry in the team, having navigated the raucous early rounds conceding just one goal and scoring five. And when Albadawi describes what’s needed for a deep run, he could well be talking specifically about the qualities NCFC possess in 2019.
