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Charlotte Independence Draws Charleston Battery 1-1 in First Home Game of the Season at the Sportsplex at Matthews

August 8, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence opened its campaign at home with a 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery. Dane Kelly scored as the Independence hosted its first home match at the Sportsplex at Matthews in 294 days.

"It was much better overall," said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. "I'm disappointed that we weren't able to get three points, we had good opportunities and tried to push the game but overall the movement with the ball was much better than a few days ago."

"We obviously did a lot better job defensively, I thought we kept our shape and kept them in front of us and limited chances for them so from that standpoint we were really good."

With the team playing its second game in four days, Jeffries rotated his squad, making two changes to the starting lineup from last game. The match came to life after the half-hour mark as the Independence took the lead in the 38th minute of play when forward Dane Kelly curled a right-footed effort past Battery goalkeeper Phil Breno for the forward's second goal of the season and 79th in his USL career.

"It was a relief," said Kelly. "To get that goal it was definitely a confidence booster."

Moments later, the Battery responded well and found an equalizer as a shot from forward Zeiko Lewis deflected off Independence defender Aaron Maund and into the back of the net to level the score for the visitors in the 42nd minute.

The second half saw more of the same, as both teams traded periods of control and offensive chances at both ends of the field. As the match progressed, the Jacks established itself as the dominant force, amassing a 15-13 shot advantage, including 5-3 shots on goal, while limiting the Battery to counter attacks, several of which proved dangerous.

In the 85th minute, Kelly was clear in on goal after beating two Battery defenders at midfield but was taken down from behind at the top of the box by Battery defender Rennico Clarke. For his actions, Clarke received a red card and the Battery were forced to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.

"We will be frustrated with tonight and then move on," said Jeffries. "The guys will come out with something to prove against a Birmingham [Legion FC] team that beat us pretty handily a week ago."

With the result tonight against the Battery and North Carolina FC beating Memphis 901 FC, 1-0, Mike Jeffries' side currently sit in third place in the USL Championship Group G standings.

Next on the Schedule: The Independence will return to Group G play against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday, August 12th at 7 p.m. ET at the Sportsplex at Matthews and broadcast live on ESPN+. The match against Legion FC will be the second meeting between the Group G opponents this year.

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GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

CLT - Dane Kelly 38th minute: Independence forward Dane Kelly pounced on a ball on the left wing and dribbled towards the end line. A change of pace took Kelly around a Battery defender and inside the left side of the penalty area where the forward curled a right-footed shot over the head of Battery goalkeeper Phil Breno and into the back of the net. CLT 1, CHS 0

CHS - Own Goal (Charlotte) 42nd minute: Forward Zeiko Lewis received a ball chipped over the top and into the right side of the penalty area. Lewis fired a one-timed shot that deflected off Independence defender Aaron Maund and into the Jacks' goal. CLT 1, CHS 1

Match: Charlotte Independence vs. Charleston Battery

Date: August 8, 2020

Venue: Sportsplex at Matthews

Competition: USL Championship

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

CLT 1 0 1

CHS 1 0 1

CLT - Dane Kelly 38th minute

CHS - Own goal (Charlotte) 42nd minute

LINEUPS:

CLT: 33-Brandon Miller; 3-Hugh Roberts; 14-Duke Lacroix; 18-Aaron Maund; 22-Joe Johnson; 4-Jake Areman(15-Luke Haakenson); 11-Valentin Sabella(23- Guido Vadala); 21-Junior Etou; 27-Derek Gebhard(7-Rey Ortiz); 9-Dane Kelly, 19- Enzo Martinez(captain)

Subs Not Used:1-Austin Pack, 17-Clay Dimmick, 20-Oscar Ramsey, 32-Tresor Mbuyu

Head Coach: Mike Jeffries

CHS: 1-Phil Breno; 17-Logan Gdula; 5-Leland Archer(4-Rennico Clarke); 14-Jared Vanschaik(captain); 20-AJ Patterson(2-Jay Bolt); 6-Robbie Crawford; 21-Angelo Kelly(13-Angelo Kelly); 8-Romario Piggott(16-Stavros Zorokostas); 19-Dante Marini(12-Deshawon Nembhard); 10-Zeiko Lewis; 11-Nicque Paley

Subs Not Used: 0-Darian McCauley, 9-Arthur Basua

Head Coach: Michael Anhaeuser

Stats Summary CLT/ CHS:

Shots: 15 / 13

Shots on Goal: 5/ 3

Saves: 3 / 5

Corner Kicks: 5 / 5

Fouls: 10 / 15

Offside: 1/2

Misconduct Summary:

CLT- Junior Etou (caution) 15th minute

CHS - Rennico Clarke (red card) 85th minute

CLT- Luke Haakenson (caution) 90th minute

Officials:

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

Assistant Referee 1: Ryan Star

Assistant Referee 2: Eric Wood

Fourth Official: Sara Gaddes

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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