Independence Earn First Win in Club History
May 2, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Charlotte Independence vs. Louisville City FC
(Charlotte Independence)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 2, 2015) - The Charlotte Independence hosted fellow newcomers Louisville City FC at Transamerica Field in what proved to be a historic moment for the home side. Independence defender Patrick Slogic scored a header in the 65th minute to give Charlotte an advantage that it would not yield.
The first 15 minutes were all Louisville. The visitors pressed and harried the Independence defense into a few turnovers and seemed to have Charlotte cornered. Louisville's Niall McCabe created a nervy moment for Charlotte's backline when he slid between the centerbacks and put a curling shot just wide. It didn't stop there for the visiting side and moments later Kadeem Dacres missed wide of the post with a sweeping volley.
Despite Louisville's seemed domination of the game, Charlotte created a golden chance in the 25th minute when captain Jorge Herrera pounced on a loose ball and clipped a shot off the post by only the narrowest of margins.
The Independence's misery was only further compounded when defender Marlon Hairston was forced out of the game from injury in the 39th.
Louisville looked certain to score in the 45th minute when a deflected pass found its way to the corner. Forward Matt Fondy found himself all alone in the box and his header caught Independence goalkeeper John Berner flat-footed, but it cleared the post.
Second half adjustments paid off for Charlotte. The Independence asserted themselves on the ball and began to push the game into the Louisville half.
In the 59th minute midfielder Alex Martinez won a freekick just outside the area for the Independence. Herrera took the ensuing kick and a diving Jack Thompson powered the header just over the goal.
It took just seconds for substitute Enzo Martinez to leave his mark in the game. Martinez marched onto the field, immediately got on the end of a rebound and lifted a picture perfect ball onto the awaiting Slogic's head. The defender made no mistake and powered his shot into the roof of the net with no chance for the keeper.
"It was good to get one...Enzo found me with a perfect cross," Slogic said. "It was important that we got a goal, but it was arguably more important for us that we didn't give up one."
Having grabbed the goal it needed, Charlotte slowed down the game and took time to possess the ball, desperate not to let Louisville back in it. A few defensive substitutions put Charlotte in a good position to hold its lead, and hold it did. Louisville crashed the net several times, but Berner managed to punch the danger away on every occasion.
At the final whistle, it was the first Independence win and the first clean sheet.
"We got a result tonight," Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. "I thought we battled really hard and competed. It's a good win for us not just because its home, but they were coming in undefeated, at the top of the table, and it gives a lot of confidence down the road."
"The clean sheet was huge not just for John (Berner) and the back line, but you see guys running 60 yards to close down a play and it shows you how much guys want to win. It's real credit to us as a team."
The Independence will look to keep this momentum going when they face the Richmond Kickers on Friday, May 8. In the teams' first meeting this season Richmond came away with a 3-0 victory. This match will be played at Winthrop University's Eagle Field in conjunction with The Carolinas' Kickin It Challenge, a club soccer tournament that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm ET.
Images from this story
 Charlotte Independence vs. Louisville City FC |
 Charlotte Independence vs. Louisville City FC |
 Charlotte Independence vs. Louisville City FC |
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