USL Charlotte Independence

Charlotte Independence Earn All 3 Points Versus Richmond Kickers

Published on June 18, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE NC - The Charlotte Independence on Saturday night ended their three-game home stand with a 1-0 win over the Richmond Kickers at Ramblewood Stadium.

The game started off with little possession from either side with mostly long balls being played. In the 14th minute Yudai Imura of the Kickers was able to get a shot off just outside the 18, but he hit it wide. As the game progressed the Independence found their footing and in the 30th minute Caleb Calvert got on the end of a corner taken by Enzo Martinez and drilled the ball into the back of the net.

Almost immediately after the goal the Independence was awarded a penalty kick. Brian Brown made the initial shot, but unfortunately for the home side there was a violation on the kick and he had to take it again. Brown missed the second shot and the Independence had to settle for a 1-0 lead over the Kickers at the end of the half.

"I think tonight was important because the mentality was really good from the beginning, we started strong," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "The last two (games) we didn't start as well as we should have. We didn't start with the intensity and the drive at the beginning of the game that we should have, but tonight we did. I think we missed an opportunity to make the game a little easier on ourselves possibly with the penalty. If we could have gone into half time 2-0 that would have made our lives simpler."

Neither team held back in the second half. In the 46th minute Brown hit a rocket of a volley that just barely went over the crossbar. Ten minutes later Sekyere Owsusu of the Kickers sent in a shot from the center circle that hit off the crossbar. With the pressure building near the end of the game, Independence goal keeper John Berner had to come up with some pretty big saves, including the Wells Fargo Save of the Game where he punched away a tough free kick that was taken by Alex Lee with 10 minutes remaining.

"I think this game is very important," said Berner. "At the end of a three game stretch we really wanted to come out with three points and I think the guys did a good job in doing so."

The Independence (6-4-3) will be on the road for their next game on June 24 against the Harrisburg City Islanders (4-9-1). The Islanders are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Charleston Battery on Saturday night. Kickoff for the Independence and the Islanders will be at 7:00pm ET in the Skyline Sports Complex.

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