Early Goals Cost Charlotte in 2-1 Loss to Richmond
June 7, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers
(Charlotte Independence, Credit: Brian L. Zimmerman)
RICHMOND, VA (June 7, 2015) - It was a tale of two halves when the Richmond Kickers and Charlotte Independence collided for the third time this season. Richmond took full advantage of a dominant first half with goals from forwards Jason Yeisley and Matthew Delicâte. Despite having the run of play in the second half, the Independence could not capitalize on their chances and a lone goal from captain Jorge Herrera was not enough to overcome the deficit.
Yeisley took advantage of a windy day and a soft pitch when he opened the scoring in just the second minute. A long ball over the top stopped perfectly between Charlotte's debuting goalkeeper Michael Lisch and his backline for Yeisley to run onto. He made no mistake with the finish, a soft lob to the left corner.
Things spiraled downward from there, even though Colorado Rapids loanee Carlos Alvarez managed to win a spot kick in the 13th minute. Herrera stepped up to take it and banged the ball off the post and across the face of goal. It was the best chance for Charlotte in the first half.
Richmond must have sensed a vulnerability in the Charlotte defense and found a way over the top again in the 21st minute. It was Yeisley causing the trouble once again as he dribbled his way into the box and made an easy finish for Delicâte with a simple pass across goal.
Charlotte bunkered in from there, determined not to concede another before half.
The halftime adjustments worked, as Charlotte came out on the front foot in the second half with a flurry of passing.
Substitute Enzo Martinez made an almost immediate impact when he lofted a ball across the box to his brother, Alex Martinez, on the back post. Alex used a bit of clever skill to beat his man and picked out the feet of Herrera at the penalty spot. He settled with one touch and finished with another to give the Independence a lifeline.
It might just have been a bit of luck that made the difference at the end. In the 86th minute midfielder Andrew Ribeiro claimed a corner at the back post and fired a shot past the keeper, only to have it cleared off the line. Enzo took control of the rebound and fired a volley through the maze of bodies. It took a slight deflection and cannoned off the crossbar before being cleared away.
In the end the score remained the same, 2-1, despite a wave of desperate crosses from Charlotte.
The Independence will be in action again this Saturday, June 13, when they take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for the first time this season. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm in the newly renovated Ramblewood Stadium.
Images from this story
 Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers (Brian L. Zimmerman) |
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