On the bench as NC lose 2-3 to Memphis 901 in the USL.
Memphis up 2-0 until 86th min, NC bought it back to 2-2, but then conceded a 3rd goal at 98 mins.
Both teams look out of contention for USL playoffs (last equal in their pool) and play each other again in a few days.
North Carolina's last USL game (likely meaningless) looks lie being 4th October, which is 4 days before the AWs are scheduled to play Belgium. Not sure if Brotherton coming from US, could avoid quarantine in the EU??
Two home games against Memphis in 3 days.
This time a 3-2 win to NC, after coming back from 0-2 down.
Full game Brotherton. As before both teams are out of USL playoff contention.
Link to USL format below for this Covid shortened regular season. But basically 8 groups, with top two from each group going into a round of 16 teams. Knockout from there.
Full game in a 1-0 win over Charlotte Independence.
Both teams with a player sent off. CI at 44 mins. NC at 67 mins.
Oscar Ramsay an unused sub for Charlotte.
Big season for ahead for Brotherton. He was already an ever-present in the starting lineup in 2019. Reckon if they're solid at the back like they were last year (they were lne of the best defensive teams in the USL) and if they can replicate something like that again this season, he could potentially attract some MLS interest.
If he's playing well, he'll be on the radar of North Carolina's new MLS franchise Charlotte FC who debut in MLS in the 2021 season:
https://www.wbtv.com/2020/07/22/city-charlotte-vir...
"Major League Soccer announced a new timeline for the opening season of Charlotte’s MLS club.
Originally scheduled to begin play in 2021, Charlotte will now debut in 2022.
The decision was made by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, in conjunction with the league’s Expansion Committee, to provide the club with an additional year to plan for the team’s launch.
....A week earlier, Charlotte MLS announced the signing of its first-ever professional player, Spanish midfielder Sergio Ruiz.
The club remains on schedule to sign additional players when the transfer window opens later this summer."
A Green Card (so he's not taking an overseas player spot) is what he needs I'd say. Then he should definitely be in the MLS picture somewhere.
Subbed on at 83 mins in a 2-1 win over Birmingham Legion. Same score when he came on.
North Carolina with 1 regular season game to go against Ramsay's Charlotte, are out of playoff contention.
Unused sub in 3-0 win at New York RB II.
Unused sub in a 0-1 home loss to Charlotte Independence.
Oscar Ramsay an unused sub for Charlotte.
Looks like that is season over for North Carolina. Their last game against Loudon United now listed as cancelled. Loudon with their last 3 games called off, so presume Covid related.
Ramsay's Charlotte has made the USL playoffs.
Interesting that Brotherton was demoted to the bench for last few games. Not's sure whether with NC out of the playoff race weeks ago, they just decided to blood some other players. Maybe just maybe a pointer that he is leaving the club as well.
The type of player that would be on the Nix radar if keen and available. Would probably help his AWs chances this WC cycle if back in NZ, USL being a bit obscure.
Caught up with unattached All Whites defender Sam Brotherton, who I think would be a great pick-up for Wellington Phoenix. Seems more likely he’ll stay in the US though (Premium content)https://t.co/Kpcp5qWyqW
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) November 4, 2020
All Whites defender Sam Brotherton is open to a return to New Zealand, with the Wellington Phoenix an option for the unattached centre back.
The 24-year-old has parted ways with North Carolina, following two years at the US second-tier club. As he begins the search for a new team, Brotherton told the Herald the Phoenix are on his radar. "It's something I'm interested in," he said.
"As a New Zealand footballer, there are challenges in being an international player in certain leagues around the world, so you have to consider that option.
"I've kept half an eye on (the Phoenix), knowing a few of the guys from my under-20s age group who are playing there now and doing well.
"It's something I'd be interested in if there was a door there," he said.
Brotherton joined North Carolina in 2019 and made 44 first-team appearances across two seasons at the USL club. He spent the previous two years at English side Sunderland, playing in the under-23s.
"The USL is a market I've played in for the last two years, and I'm familiar with," said Brotherton.
"It's somewhere I feel I have a decent reputation. I think over the past two years I've proven myself as a good player in this league.
"I enjoy playing and living in the US, so it's definitely an option to move to another club here, but I'll also explore other options around the world, evaluate, and see where hopefully I can find a good fit.
"It's about finding the right environment where there's a good level, so I'm going to be challenged but also play consistently. I'm open to all opportunities," he said.
Brotherton grew up in Auckland, playing his junior football at Forrest Hill Milford and attending Westlake Boys High School. He played for Western Springs, Central United and the Auckland City youth side before heading offshore.
Brotherton was part of the New Zealand team that made the knockout rounds at the 2015 under-20 World Cup played on home soil, scoring his first international goal against Myanmar in Wellington. Later that year he made his full All Whites debut and was an ever-present as New Zealand won the OFC Nations Cup in 2016.
The most recent of his dozen caps came in a four-team tournament in India in 2018.
"It's still a huge motivation of mine," Brotherton said of his international aspirations.
"When you look at 2026 and the way (automatic World Cup) qualification is working, I'd like to think I'd still be involved in the game and be at a good age.
"It's something I definitely have on my horizon and keeps the fire burning inside."
Worth looking at for sure.
Some good experience, and if Devere ain't coming back, would be a handy back up to TAHW and presumably an experienced visa CB that Nix are trying to sign.
Whether he has the skill set at A League level to play out from the back, which is what Talay will want, have no idea.
By memory, I think playing out is not his strong suit. Would rather try to get Stranger out from Scotland.
? MATCH PREVIEW - Brotherton and Vincent join Navy Blues
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) January 22, 2021
Auckland City FC's title hopes get major boost as All Whites caps @SamBrotherton96 and Kayne Vincent sign on ahead of #GridlockDerby.
?⚪#NavyBlues
? | @Phototek
➡️ https://t.co/PtL9Jz4JwA pic.twitter.com/WxMEJKsAb1
From Niche Cache.
Can Mods move Brotherton, Vincent & Whyte all to the Handy Prem thread. Kyle Adams needs his USL club updated as well.
"Sam Brotherton had been playing first XI minutes with North Carolina FC in the USL, the second tier in America, but NCFC made the oddly unambitious decision in recent weeks to drop down a tier in order to better be able to develop young players... even though they’re a stand-alone club and not a feeder team. Had been wondering what that might mean for Brotherton and now we know."
From Niche Cache.
Can Mods move Brotherton, Vincent & Whyte all to the Handy Prem thread. Kyle Adams needs his USL club updated as well.
"Sam Brotherton had been playing first XI minutes with North Carolina FC in the USL, the second tier in America, but NCFC made the oddly unambitious decision in recent weeks to drop down a tier in order to better be able to develop young players... even though they’re a stand-alone club and not a feeder team. Had been wondering what that might mean for Brotherton and now we know."
Perhaps to do with Covid? Crippling costs and virtually no income coming in from crowds or sponsorship deals. Perhaps it was easier for them to make such a decision rather than pay out on players contracts? Just me speculating of course, perhaps it's a move for them to ensure they still exist as a club down the line rather than fold completely? Again, just a thought...
𝐀 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 🦡✈️🧀
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) January 16, 2023
New Zealand international Sam Brotherton has joined FMFC for the 2023 season. The dominant defender has played most recently for Auckland City FC in the New Zealand Football Championship.
📰: https://t.co/cT2O0ZeK8A pic.twitter.com/ZcFrGL1C0O
