Charlotte Conquers Montreal 2-0
July 24, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 24, 2015) - It was all Charlotte on the evening as the Independence hosted a fiery FC Montreal to a convincing 2-0 victory. Charlotte struck first in the 30th minute on a Daniel Jackson strike and again late in the second when Alex Martinez tucked away a game clincher.
The Independence wasted no time in testing FC Montreal's goalkeeper David Paulmin. It was just the second minute when Jackson took an Enzo Martinez pass and tried to squeeze one in, but Paulmin was equal to the challenge and made his first of many saves on the night.
Montreal applied pressure sporadically through the night, but Charlotte's defense, anchored by the return of Mechack Jérôme from Gold Cup duties and a resurgent Raphael Cox, managed to limit Montreal to just six shots on the evening.
"We train hard during the week and everyone's bought into the system," Cox said on Charlotte's stingy defensive work.
Charlotte continued to pound the ball at the Montreal defense and half an hour in got its reward. It was another Jackson-Martinez combination from 30 yards out. Enzo played Jackson into the box with a quick pass and Jackson carried it past the keeper to make it 1-0.
"I think we pushed the game from the beginning," Coach Mike Jeffries said. "Even the first chance in the second minute with [Jackson] was a nice play that we discussed. Our decision making let us down at times and we should have finished more chances throughout the game."
Montreal's Paulmin continued to frustrate the Independence's forwards, but in the 84th minute, Alex Martinez put the game to bed through a wonderfully worked combination with fellow midfielder Carlos Alvarez. It was a quick break down the left flank and a simple one-two with Alvarez putting Martinez one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He slid his shot between the onrushing Paulmin's legs and wheeled away to celebrate.
"It's about time," Martinez said. "I needed that for confidence. I needed that for the team. I'm glad I could get the second one and calm the game down a little bit. We shouldn't have been suffering till the 80th minute though. We could have had 3-4 if we put our chances away. We are happy we created the chances, but we aren't happy that we couldn't finish more."
Charlotte will need to be hungry for goals if it is to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. With 16 games played the Independence sits at 5-6-5 with 20 points. Next week's game will be huge, as the Independence hosts New York Red Bulls II, who currently hold the sixth and final spot for playoff qualification. With just five points separating the two, it is a must win.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 24, 2015
- FC Montreal Loses 2-0 against the Charlotte Independence - FC Montreal
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- Pride Take Down Laval, 4-0 - USL
- Charlotte Conquers Montreal 2-0 - Charlotte Independence
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- Battery Look to Make Move, Face TFCII, Rhinos in Week 19 - USL
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- Hammerheads Prepare for Louisville City FC - Wilmington Hammerheads FC
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