Independence Hangs Four Goals on Ottawa in Season Opener

March 17, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release

Matthews (NC) - In the 2018 Season Opener, the Charlotte Indendence routed the Ottawa Fury FC by a final score of 4-1. Trinidad and Tobago internal midfielder, Cordell Cato gave the Jacks a halftime lead off a Donnie Smith corner kick. Cato would add an additional goal in the second half on his USL debut. Independence midfielder and USL 2nd All-Time goal scorer, Jorge Herrera would add a second half brace.The Independence out-shot the Fury FC 14 to 4 with 7 of those 14 shots being on target.

"It's a great feeling and a big step for this franchise," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Now we have to continue this success throughout the season."

Saturday night's marked the first Season Opening win in franchise history for the Independence.

Scoring Summary:

41': CLT - Cordell Cato (Donnie Smith)

58': CLT - Cordell Cato (Joel Johnson)

65': OTT - Sito Seoane

79': CLT - Jorge Herrera (Penalty Kick)

83': CLT - Jorge Herrera

Discipline:

45': CLT - Kevan George

67': CLT - Jorge Herrera

90 + 3': OTT - Kevin Oliveriea

Shots:

CLT - 14

OTT - 4

Saves:

CLT - 1

OTT - 4

Possession:

CLT - 42.3%

OTT - 57.7%

Next Game:

Toronto FC II at Charlotte Independence - March 24th, 7:00 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews

United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 17, 2018

• Roughnecks Blanked 1-0 in Season Opener - FC Tulsa
• Switchbacks Begin 2018 Campaign with 2-0 Victory over LA Galaxy II - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
• Fury FC Dealt Disappointing Result in Season Opener - Ottawa Fury FC
• Independence Hangs Four Goals on Ottawa in Season Opener - Charlotte Independence
• Charleston Battery Drops Opener to FC Cincinnati - Charleston Battery
• Tampa Bay Rowdies Open Season with 3-1 Win over North Carolina FC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
• North Carolina FC Makes USL Debut, Falls to Tampa Bay - North Carolina FC
• NYRB II Defeat TFC II, 2-1, in Home Opener at Red Bull Arena - New York Red Bulls II
• Continental Tire Announced as New North Carolina Courage Front of Jersey Sponsor - North Carolina FC
• LouCity Knocks off Nashville SC - Louisville City FC
• Hounds Drop Preseason Finale to Villanova, 1-0 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
• Sacramento Republic FC Sign Five 'Academy Players on Professional Team' Contracts - Sacramento Republic FC
• Tonight: Lights FC Opens Inaugural USL Regular Season at Fresno FC at 7 p.m. - Las Vegas Lights FC
• Sportsplex at Matthews Regulations for Home Game - Charlotte Independence
• S2 Opens New Era in Tacoma with 2-1 Victory over Archrival Portland in Front of Soldout Crowd at Cheney Stadium - Tacoma Defiance
• T2 Fall 2-1 to Sounders FC 2 in USL Regular-Season Opener at Cheney Stadium - Portland Timbers 2

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.

Other Recent Charlotte Independence Stories

• Jacks Win Fourth Straight, Defeat One Knoxville 3-1
• Marou Scores Second Half Hat Trick, Jacks Beat Westchester SC 3-2
• Jacks Complete Comeback, Beat Texoma FC 4-3
• Jacks Get Revenge, Beat North Carolina FC 2-1
• Charlotte Independence Add Experienced Nigerian Ogenyi Onazi to Roster