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USL Charlotte Independence

Five Independence Players Score in Big Win over Loudoun

October 3, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence had five different goal scorers in tonight's 5-1 win over Loudoun United FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks return home next weekend to host New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, October 9. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.

The Jacks got off to a hot start and went right to work scoring their first goal of the night in just the 7th minute of play. A ball deflected off a Loudoun defender and found the feet of #32 Gabriel Obertan who went 1v1 with the keeper and scored from the center of the box.

Immediately after, in the 8th minute #7 Joel Johnson notched his first goal of the season after receiving a pass from #19 Enzo Martinez. Johnson dribbled down the right side of the pitch, just inside the 18 yard box, and lined up a beautiful shot up and over the Loudoun keeper.

A few minutes later in the 13th minute, #13 Brandt Bronico received a pass from #56 Sylvain Marveaux. He ripped a shot from distance and scored his first goal of the season for the Independence.

"It feels good," stated Bronico on getting his first goal. "I believe that once you get that first one, then more are to follow. So hopefully that is the case in this situation."

The Jacks continued to use this momentum, and in the 19th minute, Obertan passed to Bronico, who dished it off to Marveaux who teed up a textbook finish into the upper 90.

In the 45th minute, #29 Dane Kelly tallied his 97th career goal off a corner kick from #4 Jake Areman. He launched himself up toward the ball, won the header and it bounced into the back of the net.

Charlotte lead at the half, 5-0.

"Finishing tonight was really good. The goals were really well taken," stated Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. "It was nice to get first goals for some guys like Joel [#7 Joel Johnson] and Brandt [#13 Brandt Bronico]. I think that is a big confidence boost for us and them. I thought the guys did a really good job of making the right choices in the final third, and being unselfish when it was called for, and got rewarded for it. Obviously, it was a really strong start to the game, with three goals in fifteen minutes. I thought we moved the ball well, got guys really good looks and the finishing was on."

The first half lead to more back and forth between the two sides, and in the 49th minute #1 Austin Pack made a diving save off a shot from Loudoun's #19 Houssou Landry.

In the 59th minute, a give-and-go play by Martinez and Kelly but almost lead to another break through, but the goalkeeper came out and gained possession.

In the 80th minute, after a deflected ball inside the box #44 Jace Clark found the back of the net for Loudoun. After the final whistle, the score concluded at CLT 5- LDN 1.

"We have always tried to prepare and manage one game at a time," stated Jeffries. "At this point of the year everyone is looking at the table to see what we are playing for and trying to do. More importantly for us, we need to continue winning and trying to get points when we can. I think if we had this conversation a month ago, it would be 'let's just get into the playoffs'. I think we are at the point where we are progressing enough and we can start to push away from the playoff line and see what we can do with the rest of the games to push towards Pittsburgh and Miami."

NEXT ON SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence play host to New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, October 9 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.

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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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