Charlotte Independence v North Carolina FC: Match Preview
October 2, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence face North Carolina FC at Sahlen's Stadium, WakeMed Soccer Park on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. ET and broadcast live on ESPN+. The meeting will be the final match for the Jacks in the 2020 USL Championship regular-season.
WATCH - Saturday, 7 p.m. ET: Watch NCvCLT live on ESPN+
"For us, playoff mentality starts early," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "We know what we have to do coming into the game and we know that they are going to come out firing knowing that they need a win."
"The guys are excited and ready for the game."
SAVE BIG ON JACKS GEAR AND MORE!
On Saturday night, the Independence have a chance to secure a third postseason berth. Listed below is a scenario that would see the Jacks clinch a spot in the 2020 USL Championship playoffs.
The Independence will clinch a playoffs berth with:
A win or draw against North Carolina FC
The Independence (7-4-4; 25 points) are tied with Birmingham Legion FC (7-4-4; 25 points) atop the Group G standings, followed by North Carolina FC (6-7-1; 19 points) and Memphis 901 FC (3-7-4; 13 points).
In their last match, the Jacks fell 3-1 to Memphis 901 FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews. Dane Kelly scored the lone goal for the Jacks, his 11th of the season and 88th of his Championship career.
"Dane's success this past month is a reflection of his commitment to excellence," said Jeffries. "He works hard daily to improve his play in front of goal and spends extra time each day taking care of his body to maintain fitness and sharpness."
North Carolina FC face the Jacks after defeating the New York Red Bulls II in Richmond, VA on Wednesday night, 3-0. Dave Sarachan's side currently sit in third place in the Group G standings and must defeat the Independence to keep their USL playoff chances alive.
"It will certainly be a challenge for us as we try to move the ball and break them down," continued Jeffries. "They have managed to get goals early in games lately and have put themselves in a position to play ahead which is something we will need to prevent."
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LAST TIME THEY MET: Charlotte and North Carolina FC most recently met last month on Saturday, Sept. 19 as the Independence won its seventh game and fourth in a row by defeating North Carolina FC, 1-0, at Sahlen's Stadium, WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The win marked the first time in franchise history that the Jacks claimed all three points on the road against North Carolina FC.
Aaron Maund tallied his first goal of the season for the Jacks and Jake Areman recorded an assist for the second straight game. Goalkeeper Brandon Miller and the Independence backline earned their third shutout of the 2020 USL Championship season.
After a scoreless first half, the Independence's breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Maund scored his first goal of the season on a hard-working play in the box where he headed home a cross off of a set piece by Areman.
LAST TIME OUT: The Independence fell 3-1 to Memphis 901 FC at the Sportsplex at Matthews in its penultimate match of the 2020 USL Championship regular season. An opening goal by Independence forward Dane Kelly was canceled out by an incredible strike from Jose Baxter in the 41st minute. Moments later, Memphis 901 FC took the lead via Cal Jennings, assisted by Leston Paul, as the forward split Charlotte's defense on a through pass and tucked the ball into the bottom right corner. In the second half, Memphis continued to push forward and press high and Jennings scored his second goal of the match in the 86th minute.
SERIES HISTORY (W-L-D)
Independence Record vs. North Carolina FC: (3-4-1)
Independence Home Record vs. North Carolina FC: (2-3-0)
Independence Away Record vs. North Carolina FC: (1-1-1)
STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE
Leading Scorer(s): Dane Kelly (11)
Assist Leader(s): Jake Areman (4)
Goals Per Game: 1.53
Saves Per Game: 3.8
Goals Against Average: 1.5
Shots on Target Per Game: 4.93
NORTH CAROLINA FC
Leading Scorer(s): Andre Fortune (6)
Assist Leader(s): Pecka, Speas, Taylor (2)
Goals Per Game: 1.21
Saves Per Game: 2.71
Goals Against Average: 1.4
Shots on Target Per Game: 3.5
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- Eight players have scored for the Independence in the 2020 USL Championship season: Dane Kelly (11), Luke Haakenson (3), Derek Gebhard, Enzo Martinez (2), Jake Areman, Aaron Maund, Rey Ortiz, Valentin Sabella (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).
- Nine players have recorded at least one assist for the Independence this year: Areman (4), Joel Johnson, (3), Aaron Maund, Haakenson, (2), Guido Vadala, Gebhard, Kelly, Martinez, Sabella (1)
- Seven players have recorded a goal and an assist for the Jacks this season: Areman, Gebhard, Haakenson, Kelly, Martinez, Maund, Sabella
- Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller's 57 saves is ranked first in the Championship this season.
- Miller became the fifth player in the Championship's history to record 35 regular season shutouts. He has four total this season and 37 in his career.
- Martinez, Miller, Duke Lacroix, and Hugh Roberts are the only players to play all 1,350 minutes for the Jacks this season thus far.
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 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
MIDFIELDERS: Manny Perez, Pecka, Andre Fortune, Nazmi Albadawi, Ben Speas, Steven Miller, Shane De Leon, Luke Hille
FORWARDS: Marios Lomis, Robert Kristo, Daniele Proch, Hadji Barry
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