Charlotte Independence Season Comes to a Close in Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
October 12, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE - Another incredible season, but it ends a step short for the Charlotte Independence, who fell 2-1 to the Charleston battery in Round One of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday.
Mike Jeffries' side created a number of chances throughout the match, but were knocked out in extra time through a header by Charleston's Mauro Cichero.
Jeffries opted for nearly the same lineup that got the Jacks into the playoffs, making only one change in the Starting XI. That was thanks to Joel Johnson returning in place of Aaron Maund, with Clay Dimick pushing inside in Maunds's centerback position. The full Starting XI: Brandon Miller (GK), Jake Areman (LWB), Hugh Roberts (CB), Clay Dimick (CB), Lacroix (CB), Joel Johnson (RWB), Junior Etou (CM), Enzo Martinez (CM), Luke Haakenson (LW), Dane Kelly (ST), Rey Ortiz (RW).
The action started from the opening whistle, with both teams pushing into the attack. Charleston's pressure paid off just three minutes into the match, when Nicque Daley finished off a long sequence to put Charleston on the board first. Zeiko Lewis received a pass near the midfield and played Cichero behind the Independence backline. Despite a diving attempt from Duke Lacroix, the ball only slightly changed direction, before ultimately landing at the feet of Daley at the top of the box who rolled a shot past Brandon Miller.
In a tightly contested second half, the Independence came out of the locker room on the front foot, and Hugh Roberts capitalized on their period of pressure with a brilliant tap-in. A point-blank header from Dane Kelly was blocked by Battery goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky but rebounded to Roberts, who finished through traffic with his right foot in the 64th minute, pulling the game even 1-1.
From there it was a flurry of chances, as both sides pushed in search of a winner and traded opportunities only to finish the 90 minutes level, sending the match into extra time.
Early into extra time, the Battery went back ahead. After being awarded a free kick just inside the Independence's half, a floated delivery into the penalty area by Jarad van Schaik drew Miller off his line to try and claim. Arthur Bosua beat him to the ball and his header bounced into the open net to put Charleston on top with 20 minutes to go.
The Independence kept fighting through the deficit, and had some sustained pressure on the Battery goal in the second period of extra time. But with the clock ticking down they couldn't find the second goal, with Charleston ending the match 2-1 winners.
Next on the Schedule: The Independence head into the offseason and will prepare for a 2021 season that will see the team move into brand new American Legion Memorial Stadium.
Scoring Summary: 1 2 ET F
CLT 0 1 0 0
CHS 1 0 1 2
CHS - Nicque Daley (Mauro Cichero) 3rd minute
CLT - Hugh Roberts 64th minute
CHS - Arthur Bosua (Jarad van Schaik) 101st minute
LINEUPS:
CLT: 33-Brandon Miller; 22-Joel Johnson (90-Christian Chaney, 115'), 17-Clay Dimick, 3-Hugh Roberts, 14-Duke Lacroix (23-Guido Vadala, 105'), 4-Jake Areman, 7-Rey Ortiz 27-Derek Gebhard, 62'), 15-Luke Haakenson (11-Valentin Sabella, 77'), 21-Junior Etou, 19-Enzo Martinez(captain), 9-Dane Kelly
Subs Not Used: 1-Austin Pack, 2-Shalom Dutey, 20-Oscar Ramsay
Head Coach: Mike Jeffries
CHS: GK: 33-Joe Kuzminsky; 17-Logan Gdula, 5-Leland Archer, 14-Jarad van Schaik(captain), 20-AJ Paterson (12-Deshawon Nembhard, 84'), 6-Robbie Crawford, 21-Angelo Kelly, 10-Zeiko Lewis, 16-Stavros Zarokostas 3-Kyle Nelson, 105'), 13-Mauro Cichero (9-Arthur Bosua, 103'), 12-Nicque Daley (19-Dante Marini, 60')
Subs Not Used: 1-Phil Breno, 4-Renicco Clarke, 15-Temi Adesodun
Head Coach: Michael Anhaeuser
Stats Summary CLT/ CHS:
Shots: 18 / 14
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 4 / 6
Corner Kicks: 7 / 6
Fouls: 15 / 24
Offside: 3 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
CHS - Robbie Crawford (caution) 63rd minute
CHS - A.J. Paterson (caution) 71st minute
CLT - Enzo Martinez (caution) 90+4 minute
CHS - Dante Marini (caution) 99th minute
CLT - Clay Dimick (caution) 100th minute
CHS - Arthur Bosua (caution) 109th minute
CLT - Valentin Sabella (caution) 118th minute
Officials:
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
Assistant Referee: Walt Heatherly
Assistant Referee: Chris Canales
Fourth Official: Joshua Encarnacio
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