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USL Charlotte Independence

Independence Records Win for the History Books with 1-0 Victory against North Carolina FC

August 26, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence used a 59th minute volley from Rey Ortiz to defeat North Carolina FC 1-0 at the Sportsplex at Matthews for the first time in USL Championship history.

"It was a huge win for us, a really sweet victory," said Independence head coach Mike Jeffries. "It was definitely a game we had to grind out and fight through."

"You could see fatigue in the guys, but they showed a lot of heart and character to come through and just find a way to win on the night."

The match was played at a high intensity from the first whistle as both teams wrestled for control of the game early, as Jeffries did not make any alterations to the Starting XI that started Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Miami FC.

The game's first chance served as a pivotal moment. In the 12th minute, Luke Haakenson picked up a loose ball and made a run into the penalty area that forced North Carolina FC 'keeper Alex Tambakis to sprawl out to make the save. Despite numerous first-half chances at either end, both teams went into halftime locked 0-0.

A furious pace was set early in the second half and resulted in the Jacks almost taking the lead inside the 46th minute, with Dane Kelly blasting a left-footed shot off the crossbar. Undeterred, it was the Independence that landed the first blow in the 59th minute as Ortiz opened the scoring with a textbook half-volley. The goal marked Ortiz's first professional tally and Kelly's first assist of 2020.

"I owed it to my team," said Ortiz. "I felt like I was getting a lot of shots and no end products, so I'm happy that goal led to a win."

On the defensive end, defenders Aaron Maund, Duke Lacroix, Hugh Roberts, and Joel Johnson put in a solid shift behind a relentless defensive midfield effort from Junior Etou and Jake Areman to help goalkeeper Brandon Miller and the Jacks notch their first clean sheet of the season.

"We managed to close the game out very well," added Jeffries. "I thought we managed pretty well as they brought on fresh legs and pushed."

With the win, the Independence jumped five points clear of North Carolina FC in the Group G table and remain in second place in the Group G standings. The Jacks will face group leaders Birmingham Legion FC for the second time this month when Legion FC travel to Matthews, N.C. to take on the Independence. Kickoff at Sportsplex at Matthews is set for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Next on the Schedule: The Independence will return to action when the team hosts Birmingham Legion FC for a Group G match on Aug. 29 at the Sportsplex at Matthews. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match with be broadcast on ESPN+.

GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

CLT - Rey Ortiz (Dane Kelly), 59th minute: Valentin Sabella played a ball down the left wing into the corner to an on running Dane Kelly. Kelly held the ball up nicely, turned, and fired a right-footed cross to Rey Ortiz at the top of the box. Ortiz took one touch and rocketed a right-footed half volley to the left of North Carolina FC 'keeper Alex Tambakis and into the net for what ended up being the game-winning goal. CLT 1, NC 0

Match: Charlotte Independence vs. North Carolina FC

Date: August 26, 2020

Venue: Sportsplex at Matthews

Competition: USL Championship

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

CLT 0 1 1

NCFC 0 0 0

CLT: Rey Ortiz (Dane Kelly) 59th minute

LINEUPS:

CLT: 33- Brandon Miller; 3-Hugh Roberts, 14-Duke Lacroix, 18-Aaron Maund, 22-Joel Johnson; 4-Jake Areman, 7-Rey Ortiz(17-Clay Dimick), 15-Luke Haakenson(11-Valentin Sabella), 21-Junior Etou, 9-Dane Kelly(32-Tresor Mbuyu),19-Enzo Martinez(captain)

Subs Not Used: 1-Austin Pack, 2-Shalom Dutey, 20-Oscar Ramsey, 23-Guido Vadala

Head Coach: Mike Jeffries

NCFC: 1- Alex Tambakis; 10-Nazmi Albadawi(captain), 5-Sam Brotherton, 20-Conor Donovan, 27-D.J. Taylor, 30-Akeem Ward, 7-Wellington Paeckart(21-Daniele Proch), 16-Graham Smith, 31-Steven Miller(17-Ben Speas), 92-Hadji Barry (2-Manny Perez), 9-Marios Lomis(11-Robbie Kristo)

Subs Not Used: 4- Alex Comsia, 8-Andre Fortune, 24- Paolo Pita

Head Coach: Dave Sarachan

Stats Summary CLT/ NC:

Shots: 11/14

Shots on Goal: 2/5

Saves: 1/2

Corner Kicks: 6/5

Fouls: 6/12

Offside: 1/1

Misconduct Summary:

NCFC - 30-Akeem Ward(caution) 42nd minute

NCFC - 7-Wellington Paeckart(caution) 68th minute

Officials:

Referee: Kevin Broadley

Assistant Referee: Ryan Graves

Assistant Referee: Joe Suchoski

Fourth Official: Colin Ashley

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