USL Charlotte Independence

Charlotte Independence v Birmingham Legion FC Match Preview

Published on August 29, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence will continue USL Championship Group G play on Saturday, August 29 when it takes on Birmingham Legion FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+). The Independence has posted a 3-2-3 record so far in 2020 with all but three of those games coming against Group G opponents.

"We have had two very hard games with Birmingham," said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. "We feel like we left a little bit on the table last game, but also feel like we managed the game better and were able to create more quality of chances."

"It was far better than in the first game."

In their last match, the Independence used a 59th minute volley from Rey Ortiz to defeat North Carolina FC 1-0 at the Sportsplex at Matthews for the first time in USL Championship history. With the win, the Jacks remained in second place in the Group G standings and jumped five points clear of North Carolina FC.

Tommy Soehn's side take on the Charlotte Independence following a 2-2 draw with rival Memphis 901 FC on August 22. Legion FC, who are yet to lose to the Jacks this season, sit six points clear of the hosts in the Group G table.

"Playing them for the third time in a month means that we are familiar with them, familiar with their tendencies and players," added Jeffries. "I think there will be some adjustments from both sides."

"They are really talented going forward so we will have to try and shut them down every chance we get before they get going in transition."

LAST TIME OUT: The Charlotte Independence used a 59th minute volley from Rey Ortiz to defeat North Carolina FC 1-0 at the Sportsplex at Matthews for the first time in USL Championship history.

The game's first chance served as a pivotal moment. In the 12th minute, Luke Haakenson picked up a loose ball and made a run into the penalty area that forced North Carolina FC 'keeper Alex Tambakis to sprawl out to make the save. Despite numerous first-half chances at either end, both teams went into halftime locked 0-0.

A furious pace was set early in the second half and resulted in the Independence taking the lead in the 59th minute as Ortiz opened the scoring with a textbook half-volley. The goal marked Ortiz's first professional tally and Kelly's first assist of 2020.

LAST TIME THEY MET: The Independence and Legion FC last faced off earlier this month on Wednesday, August 12 at the Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, N.C., resulting in a 1-1 draw. The Jacks got an 82nd minute goal from Dane Kelly but the forward saw his goal canceled out by Legion FC midfielder Mikey Lopez in the 93rd minute as each team earned a point.

SERIES HISTORY (W-L-D)

Independence Record vs. Birmingham Legion FC: (1-1-2)

Independence Home Record vs. Birmingham Legion FC: (1-0-1)

Independence Away Record vs. Birmingham Legion FC: (0-1-1)

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

Leading Scorer(s): Dane Kelly (4)

Assist Leader(s): Joel Johnson (2)

Goals Per Game: 1.5

Saves Per Game: 5.0

Goals Against Average: 1.6

Shots on Target Per Game: 4.14

BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC

Leading Scorer(s): Bruno Lapa (5)

Assist Leader(s): Jonathan Dean (4)

Goals Per Game: 1.77

Saves Per Game: 2.44

Goals Against Average: 0.8

Shots on Target Per Game: 8.11

2020 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS: Lucas Hatsios, Brandon Miller, Austin Pack

DEFENDERS: Owen Barber, Clay Dimick, Shalom Dutey, Duke Lacroix, Aaron Maund, Dylan Mitchiner, Joel Johnson, Hugh Roberts, Joey Skinner

MIDFIELDERS: Jake Areman, Junior Etou, Derek Gebhard, Kevan George, Luke Haakenson, Rey Ortiz, Valentin Sabella, Oscar Ramsay

FORWARDS: Christian Chaney, Enzo Martinez, Tresor Mbuyu, Dane Kelly, Guido Valada

2020 BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS: Ford Parker, Trevor Spangenberg, Matt Vanoekel

DEFENDERS: Alex Crognale, Razak Cromwell, Jonathan Dean, Mathieu Laurent, Jake Rufe

MIDFIELDERS: Boluwatife Akinyode, Anderson Asiedu, Eli Crognale, Daigo Kobayashi, Bruno Lapa, Mikey Lopez, Braxton Najib, Jaden Servania, Marcos Ugarte

FORWARDS: Neco Brett, Propser Kasim, Rudolf Mensah, Brian Wright

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

- Seven players have scored for the Independence in the 2020 USL Championship: Dane Kelly (4), Luke Haakenson, Enzo Martinez (2), Jake Areman, Derek Gebhard, Rey Ortiz Valentin Sabella (1)

- Joel Johnson leads the Jacks in assists, (2).

- Four players have recorded at least one assist for the Independence this year: Haakenson, Kelly, Martinez, Areman, Aaron Maund, (1)

- Kelly became the first player in USL Championship history to score 80 career league goals. Kelly, who scored his 80th USL goal in a 1-1 draw against Legion FC, leads the Jacks in goals this season with four.

- Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller's 40 saves is ranked second in the USL Championship Eastern Conference this season.

- Against The Miami FC, Miller became only the second goalkeeper to post two outings this season with 8+ saves. Miller recorded eight saves against Miami having previously recorded nine saves against Sporting Kansas City II on March 8 to start the season.

- Martinez, Miller, Duke Lacroix, and Hugh Roberts are the only players to play all 630 minutes for the Jacks this season thus far.

Check out the Charlotte Independence Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 29, 2020


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