USL Penn FC

Game Day Preview

Published on October 2, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC (9-14-8, 35 pts) is set to host the Charlotte Independence (9-11-11, 38 pts) on Wednesday night in what should be a tough contest between two teams in similar positions in the table.

It has been a tough season in the Eastern Conference, and both teams are on the verge of missing the playoffs but will look to end the year on a positive note. Penn FC will be eliminated by the end of the week as North Carolina FC and New York Red Bulls II will face off on Saturday and a single point by either team will mathematically eliminate Rush Soccer's first team.

But Penn FC can play spoiler on Wednesday night as a win against the Independence would end their playoff hopes as well.

Last time these two teams met in Charlotte, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Penn FC played very well in that match, dominating in the shots column and controlling the match, however Penn FC wasn't as clinical in front of goal as it would have liked and had to eventually come from behind to grab a draw away from home. Forward Aaron Dennis was the lone goal scorer for Penn FC in the 72nd minute, after Penn FC was unfortunate to go down a goal in the 63rd minute. Dennis found the top right corner from a shot from outside the box and was one of the best goals for Penn FC all season.

It has been a tough time for the Penn FC defense since losing captain Ken Tribett to injury, as it hasn't kept a clean sheet in four matches. Penn FC has faced some of the top scoring teams in the Eastern Conference, but will look to bounce back and have a strong defensive showing in Wednesday night's match.

"For me, it's a mindset. Create that here on the training field going into the game, and when you get out on the field, continue that mindset," Defender Kyle Venter said when asked about how important it is to get off to a good start. "Taking the game to them right from the bat, not letting anybody get comfortable, and then finishing our chances. We were creating chances, we are creating chances, we just got to put them away. At this time of the year, you have to be able to take the chances that you create and limit the ones on the other side."

Penn FC takes on the Charlotte Independence Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Gates at FNB Field will open at 5 p.m. Tickets for the match are available at pennfc.com/tickets. Fans unable to make it to FNB Field can watch the match on the ESPN+ streaming platform.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 2, 2018


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