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USL Charlotte Independence

Charlotte Independence v Miami FC: Match Preview

August 23, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence take on Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Fla. tonight at 7 p.m. ET and broadcast live on ESPN+. The matchup will be the Jacks' second game of the 2020 USL Championship return to play season against an opponent outside of Group G.

"Miami FC is very, very talented," said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. "They are really good going forward and excellent in transition."

"They have Vincent Bezecourt and Sebastian Velasquez who are incredibly strong players, especially one-v-one, that can be deadly playmakers and Romario Williams is a proven finisher in the USL."

"We have to maintain a good defensive shape, stay organized, and limit them to counters and breaks."

Last Saturday, the Independence earned their first three points at the Sportsplex at Matthews this year in a 3-2 win against Memphis 901 FC. Dane Kelly continued his scorching form with another goal, while Enzo Martinez scored the equalizer and Luke Haakenson tallied the game-winning goal.

In their last match, Miami FC battled back from two goals down on Wednesday night to earn a 2-2 draw against ATL UTD 2. Currently fourth in Group H with two points, Paul Dalglish's side are competing in the USL Championship for the first time in the club's history having acquired the franchise rights of Ottawa Fury FC.

"It's a game that will be our only game on turf this year, so we will have to get used to the surface," added Jeffries. "We have had stretches in the last couple of games where we have been really sharp but we just have to be more consistent across the full 90 minutes."

LAST TIME OUT: The Charlotte Independence moved into second place in the USL Championship, Group G standings after defeating Memphis 901 FC 3-2 at the Sportsplex at Matthews.

Kelly scored his fourth goal of 2020, while Martinez leveled the score from the spot, and Haakenson tallied the game-winning goal to give the Jacks three points at home for the first time this season. Joel Johnson added two assists, including Haakenson's game-winner.

LAST TIME THEY MET: This will be the first meeting between the two sides. Miami FC, previously in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), joined the USL Championship as an expansion side this year.

STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

Leading Scorer(s): Dane Kelly (4)

Assist Leader(s): Joel Johnson (2)

Goals Per Game: 1.6

Saves Per Game: 4.5

Goals Against Average: 1.8

Shots on Target Per Game: 4.33

MIAMI FC

Leading Scorer(s): Romario Williams (4)

Assist Leader(s): Saydee, Heath (2)

Goals Per Game: 1.4

Saves Per Game: 4.0

Goals Against Average: 2.8

Shots on Target Per Game: 4.0

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 MIAMI FC USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS: Mark Pais, Bryant Gammiero, Brian Sylvestre

DEFENDERS: Marco Franco, Hassan Ndam, Lawrence Olum, Janos Loebe, Brenton Griffith, Jalen Markey

MIDFIELDERS: Harrison Heath, Vincent Bezecourt, Tomas Granitto, Sebastián Velásquez, Prince Saydee, Brian James, Hector Morales, Lance Rozeboom

FORWARDS: Othello Bah, Romario Williams, Miguel González, Lloyd Sam, Mohamed Thiaw

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

- Five players have scored for the Independence in the 2020 USL Championship: Dane Kelly (4), Luke Haakenson, Enzo Martinez (2), Derek Gebhard, 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, Martinez, Jake 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 27 saves is ranked second in the USL Championship Eastern Conference this season.

- Martinez, Miller, Duke Lacroix, and Hugh Roberts are the only players to play all 540 minutes for the Jacks this season thus far.

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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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