USL Charlotte Independence

Charlotte Independence v Charleston Battery: Match Preview

Published on October 9, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence are taking on the Charleston Battery at the Sportsplex at Matthews (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+) in Round One of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs in a game that marks the first home playoff game in the Independence's history.

WATCH - Saturday, 7 p.m. ET: Watch CLTvCHS live on ESPN+

"I am really excited for the group and excited for the opportunity to host a playoff game," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "It's a big credit to the group's performance this season."

The Independence are making their first trip to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season after ending the regular season on top of Group G thanks to a 1-0 win against North Carolina FC on the final Saturday of the regular season. If the Jacks manage to defeat the South Carolina side, they'll advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they would take on the winner of Tampa Bay Rowdies - Birmingham Legion FC on October 15-18.

While Charlotte returns to the playoffs, the Battery return for a 10th consecutive season in the Championship, maintaining the club's record of reaching the playoffs in every season of the league's history. The Battery were narrowly edged into second place in Group H by the Tampa Bay Rowdies but roll into the playoffs having won seven of their last nine outings.

PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

The 16-team bracket will remain in a regionalized single-elimination bracket, with the four group winners in each conference earning hosting rights for the Eastern and Western Conference Quarterfinals. Following the opening round, hosting rights will be determined by regular season record.

Following the recommendations of the league's Competition Strategy Committee, teams will see no less than four days between games should they advance. In the case of a postponement, the rescheduled match would need to take place within 48 hours of the original kickoff.

Additionally, a four-day match window (Thursday-Sunday) will be employed for each of the first three rounds of the postseason. As in previous seasons, at least a five-day window will remain in effect for the 2020 USL Championship Final to allow flexibility for broadcast purposes.

Contests in the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs will be played according to standard FIFA rules. If a match is level at the end of regulation, extra time shall be played. Extra time shall consist of two 15-minute periods which will be played in their entirety.

If the score is still level at the end of extra time, a penalty shootout will determine the winner, in accordance with the procedure specified in the Laws of the Game. Each side will be allowed to make five substitutions within three opportunities during regulation. Teams will also be permitted one additional substitution in extra time, and will each have one additional substitution opportunity; substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at halftime in extra time. No substitutions will be permitted between the end of extra time and the beginning of a penalty shootout.

Every game of the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs through the Eastern and Western Conference Finals can be seen in the United States on ESPN+ and internationally through the Championship's broadcast partners and the league's YouTube channel, with the final set to air nationally on ESPN and ESPN Deportes on Sunday, November 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Due to mandated limited attendance restrictions and regulated physical distancing protocols, the Independence have finalized procedures for approximately 50 fans to have an exclusive access opportunity to attend the Jacks' match with the Battery, through a unique fundraiser.

Fans can receive a maximum of four of the 50 invitations to watch #CLTvCHS in-person, by making a charitable donation of $100 per seat. Access for the Independence's round of 16 match is now available and can be secured by emailing the ticket department at cwheat@queencitysc.com.

Fans who have deposited money for the 2021 season at American Legion Memorial Stadium will receive first priority. Seats are not available to purchase at the box office.

All net proceeds from the match will be donated to 16-year-old McKenna Woodhead and her family. McKenna, a local youth soccer player and 2019 U.S. Women's National Team "SheBelieves" Hero award winner, was told by doctors she will be permanently paralyzed from the chest down following a watersport accident on June 25th, 2018.

LAST TIME THEY MET: The first-round of the playoffs will be the second time Charleston has visited Charlotte this season. On August 8, the Battery visited the Sportsplex at Matthews and forced a 1-1 draw over the Independence. Dane Kelly scored the opener for the Jacks and a cross by Zeiko Lewis in the 42nd minute deflected off Independence defender Aaron Maund for the equalizing own goal.

LAST TIME OUT: The Charlotte Independence earned a spot in the 2020 USL Championship playoffs and a late, dramatic 1-0 victory on the road against North Carolina FC on Saturday, courtesy of a goal from Valentin Sabella four minutes into second half stoppage time. The triumph clinched the Jacks' third appearance in postseason play and first since 2017.

In Saturday night's other Group G match, Memphis 901 FC beat Birmingham Legion FC 3-1, leaving the Jacks three points clear of Legion FC. With the win and Birmingham's loss to Memphis, the Independence finished USL Championship Group G play in first place with a record of 8-4-4 (28 points).

After a scoreless first half, both sides threw numbers forward in transition, looking to exploit space in behind. That strategy nearly paid off in the 68th minute as Kelly danced past a defender in the box and got a clean look at goal, only to send his header over the crossbar.

With the fixture heading late into stoppage time and seeming destined for a draw, Sabella would send the Jacks into bedlam and into the playoffs, capitalizing on an Independence counterattack and a pass from Kelly in midfield. The winger raced past the NCFC backline and powered the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, securing three massive points on the road.

SERIES HISTORY (W-L-D)

Independence Record vs. Charleston Battery: (2-8-6)

Independence Home Record vs. Charleston Battery: (2-3-3)

Independence Away Record vs. Charleston Battery: (0-5-3)

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

Leading Scorer(s): Dane Kelly (11)

Assist Leader(s): Jake Areman (4)

Goals Per Game: 1.5

Saves Per Game: 3.8

Goals Against Average: 1.4

Shots on Target Per Game: 4.75

CHARLESTON BATTERY

Leading Scorer(s): Zeiko Lewis (6)

Assist Leader(s): Paterson, Kelly-Rosales (3)

Goals Per Game: 1.73

Saves Per Game: 2.2

Goals Against Average: 1.0

Shots on Target Per Game: 4.4

FiveThirtyEight.com MATCH PREDICTOR

Charlotte Independence 50%, Charleston Battery 50%

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

8 - Eight players have scored for the Independence in the 2020 USL Championship season: Dane Kelly (11), Luke Haakenson (3), Derek Gebhard, Enzo Martinez, Valentin Sabella (2), Jake Areman, Aaron Maund, Rey Ortiz (1)

- After reaching double-digit goals this season (11), Kelly has reached double-digit goals in a season for the sixth time in his career, the most of any player in the Championship's history.

- With his hat trick against North Carolina FC, Kelly now holds the record with the most hat tricks in league history (4).

9 - Nine players have recorded at least one assist for the Independence this year: Areman (4), Joel Johnson, (3), Aaron Maund, Haakenson, Kelly (2), Guido Vadala, Gebhard, Martinez, Sabella (1)

7 - Seven players have recorded a goal and an assist for the Jacks this season: Areman, Gebhard, Haakenson, Kelly, Martinez, Maund, Sabella

61 - The Independence also got a stellar campaign from goalkeeper Brandon Miller, who led the league in saves with 61.

- Miller became the fifth player in the Championship's history to record 35 regular season shutouts. He has five total this season and 38 in his career.

1,440 - Martinez, Miller, Duke Lacroix, and Hugh Roberts are the only players to play all 1,440 minutes for the Jacks this season thus far.

2 - The Independence scored both times they were awarded a penalty kick during the regular season, while Brandon Miller saved both penalty kicks he faced in the campaign.

21 - Zeiko Lewis has recorded a combined 21 goals and assists (14G, 7A) over the past two seasons, more than double the total of any other Battery player.

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, Randy Mendoza, 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 CHARLESTON BATTERY USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS: Phil Breno, Darian McCauley, Joe Kuzminsky

DEFENDERS: Temi Adesodun, Leland Archer, Jay Bolt, Rennico Clarke, Logan Gdula, Deshawon Nembhard, Kyle Nelson, AJ Paterson, Jarad Van Schaik

MIDFIELDERS: Mauro Cichero, Robbie Crawford, Angelo Kelly, Dante Marini, Kierron Mason, Romario Piggot, Nico Rittmyer

FORWARDS: Arthur Bosua, Nicque Daley, Jesus Ibarra, Zeiko Lewis, Stavros Zarokostas

Check out the Charlotte Independence Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 9, 2020


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