Charlotte Independence v North Carolina FC: Match Preview
August 25, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence will continue USL Championship Group G play on Wednesday, August 26 when it takes on North Carolina FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+). The Independence has posted a 2-2-3 record so far in 2020 with all but three of those games coming against Group G opponents.
"North Carolina FC has a lot of quality players on their roster and always poses a challenge for us," said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. "They are an excellent team in possession - very comfortable building from the back and playing through the midfield."
"They are always organized defensively with the ability to press and put us under pressure"
For the second time this season, the Independence dropped points in a 2-1 defeat on the road against Miami FC Sunday night. With nine points in seven games, Jeffries' side currently sit in second place in the Group G table.
In their last match, Dave Sarachan's team fell to the Charleston Battery, 3-0, in what was their second straight loss at home. Currently third in Group G with seven points, North Carolina FC will face the Independence a total of four times in 2020.
"Our games against North Carolina FC always come to a possession battle - both teams like to build and play," added Jeffries. "We need to be capable on the ball and move them defensively; if we are able to do so, we are confident in creating opportunities against them."
"Not only is this game a rivalry contest, but a very important one in the Group G standings."
LAST TIME OUT: The Charlotte Independence were beaten for only the second time in the USL Championship this season as Miami FC defeated the Jacks 2-1 at Riccardo Silva Stadium on Sunday evening, in what was the first match between the two clubs in USL Championship play.
Jake Areman tucked home moments into the match, but that advantage would be neutralized before the interval. Romario Williams converted a penalty to level the score before the break and then a late second-half free-kick by Tomas Granitto put Miami FC ahead and the scoreline was unchanged despite the visitors' exertions.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Charlotte Independence and North Carolina FC most recently met in the 2019 USL Championship season on Thursday, July 4 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C., resulting in a 1-1 draw. After a misfortunate play, the Independence trailed early courtesy a Yamikani Chester goal in the third minute. However, the Independence would respond in force through Independence forward Niki Jackson in the 14th minute, a scoreline the teams finished with after 90 minutes.
Statistical snapshot:
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE
Leading Scorer(s): Dane Kelly (4)
Assist Leader(s): Joel Johnson (2)
Goals Per Game: 1.57
Saves Per Game: 5.0
Goals Against Average: 1.9
Shots on Target Per Game: 4.14
NORTH CAROLINA FC
Leading Scorer(s): Andre Fortune (2)
Assist Leader(s): D.J. Taylor (2)
Goals Per Game: 0.66
Saves Per Game: 3.16
Goals Against Average: 1.3
Shots on Target Per Game: 3.16
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 NORTH CAROLINA FC USL CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS: Alex Tambakis, Paulo Pita, Trace Alphin, Nicholas Holliday
DEFENDERS: Alex Comsia, Sam Brotherton, Malick Mbaye, Conor Donovan, D.J. Taylor, Akeem Ward, Steven Miller, Collin McCamy
MIDFIELDERS: Manny Perez, Pecka, Andre Fortune, Nazmi Albadawi, Graham Smith, Shane De Leon, Luke Hille
FORWARDS: Marios Lomis, Robert Kristo, Ben Speas, Daniele Proch, Hadji Barry
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Six players have scored for the Independence in the 2020 USL Championship season: Dane Kelly (4), Luke Haakenson, Enzo Martinez (2), Jake Areman, 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, 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 35 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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