Sports stats



USL Charlotte Independence

Independence Roster Grows to 16 in Advance of Inaugural Opener

March 25, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 25, 2015) - The Charlotte Independence today announced the signing of four additional players, bringing the USL expansion team's roster to 16 in advance of its inaugural season opener on Friday, March 27. Forward Ryan Finley, defender Chris Estridge and midfielder/defenders Raphael Cox and Mamadou Kansaye have agreed to terms and will remain with the Independence through the 2015 season.

"In Finley, Cox and Estridge we have signed three players who bring MLS experience and the desire to push themselves to return to MLS," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Finley is a striker whose movement in and around the box unbalances the defense and he is a very technical finisher. Cox provides veteran leadership and experience as well as the capability to effectively attack up and down the left side. Estridge's comfort at playing either outside back position gives us flexibility and depth. He is a solid defender with the ability to make dangerous forays going forward. Coming off a strong college season, Mamadou Kansaye is an excellent two way central midfielder, a very good passer who is able to break up plays when we are defending."

Finley joins the Independence after spending the 2014 season with now defunct MLS side Chivas USA. The 6' striker appeared in 16 games, making four starts and scoring one goal. Finley originally was selected by the Columbus Crew in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, where he made 14 appearances, recording one goal and one assist. He also made 13 appearances at forward in MLS Reserve League action, leading the Reserves with 11 goals. Finley was traded to Chivas USA on May 8, 2014.

A native of Lumberton, NJ, Finely spent two seasons at Duke University before transferring to the University of Notre Dame. During his senior season, Finely played in all 22 matches and ranked second nationally in both goals (21) and points (46). The striker also ranked third nationally in goals per game (0.95) and fourth in points per game (2.09). His 21 goals rank fifth in Notre Dame history for a single season. Finley was named to the NSCAA All-America First Team and finished second in the MAC Hermann Trophy voting for 2012. He also was an All-Great Lakes Region First Team Honoree, unanimous All-Big East First Team selection and Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

At the international level, Finley was a member of the U-17 U.S. Men's National Team in 2006 and later was selected to be a part of the U-18 National Team. Additionally, he spent two years in the U.S. Residency Program in Bradenton, FL.

Cox brings several years of professional experience to the Independence, having most recently played with the Harrisburg City Islanders of USL. Prior to joining the Islanders, the defender spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and one with the Atlanta Silverbacks, both of the NASL. Since 2011, he has 88 appearances with four goals scored. Cox originally was selected in the fourth round (54th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake, where he played six games and scored one goal.

Prior to joining the pro ranks, Cox had a prolific collegiate career at the University of Washington. He was a three-year starter for the Huskies after transferring from Highline Community College. During his time at Washington, Cox appeared in 59 games, tallying 14 goals and 17 assists. He was a two-time All Pac-10 selection, including a First Team selection during his senior season in 2009. The defender helped the Huskies secure back-to-back second round appearances in the NCAA College Cup. During his collegiate years, Cox also played with the Colorado Rapids' U-23 team and the Tacoma Tide of the Premier Development League.

Estridge comes to the Independence from NASL side the Indy Eleven, where he appeared in 11 games over the course of the 2014 season. Originally drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second round (21st overall) of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Estridge was traded to Real Salt Lake at the onset of the season. With playing time hard to come by a the MLS level, the defender eventually landed with the Rochester Rhinos of USL PRO. He appeared in 12 games during the 2012-13 season, recording four goals. A knee injury kept Estridge out of professional competition in 2013, but he returned healthy in 2014 when he signed with the Indy Eleven.

A native of Bloomington, IN, Estridge started his college career at Wake Forest University in 2008 before transferring to Indiana University in 2010. He started 40 of 42 games as a Hoosier, earning First Team All-Big Ten and NSCAA First Team All-American honors following a senior campaign that included three goals and five assists. While in school, Estridge also played for the Carolina Dynamo and Chicago Fire Premier, both of the Premier Development League.

The Independence's fourth signee, Kansaye, is a 2014 graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. He captained the Retrievers for two years, scoring five goals and adding six assists his senior season. Kansaye in 2014 was named America East Midfielder of the Year and also was selected to the America East First Team, as his six assists were top in the conference. He played one season at North Carolina State University in 2010 before transferring to UMBC, where he sat out the 2011 season and began competition in 2012. Kansaye is a native of Bamako, Mali.

"Preseason has flown by for us," said Jeffries. "We have used much of the time evaluating players and building the roster. In addition, we have been able to progress the fitness of the group and begin the process of working together and developing our shape and team concepts. The team has benefited from the number and quality of preseason games, becoming a little stronger and tighter with each one."

The Independence will make its USL debut against local rival the Charleston Battery on Friday, March 27. The match will begin at 7:30pm on UNC-Charlotte's Transamerica Field.

Check out the Charlotte Independence Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 25, 2015


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.

OurSports Central