Independence Win Fourth Straight with 1-0 Decision over Montreal
May 7, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Charlotte Independence vs. FC Montreal
(Charlotte Independence)
CHARLOTTE, NC - The Charlotte Independence on Saturday night won their fourth consecutive match with a 1-0 decision over visiting FC Montreal at Ramblewood Stadium.
"Obviously we're very pleased to win and get another shutout," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "Those are big for us without a doubt. We feel good and we'll continue to develop confidence. This game presented challenges for us without a doubt. Montreal is a good team."
Charlotte dominated possession in the first half, creating their first opportunity in the third minute. Brian Brown used some nifty footwork to beat his initial defender, but then was brought down inside the box, earning the Independence a penalty kick. Enzo Martinez stepped up to take the shot, but it ricocheted off the crossbar.
Seven minutes later, Martinez took a free kick that sailed right to the head of Caleb Calvert. The Colorado Rapids loanee knocked the ball past Montreal keeper Maxime Crepeau into the left side of the net to give the Independence a 1-0 lead. The goal was Calvert's third on the season.
FC Montreal had several shots sail over the crossbar before creating their best opportunity of the half in the 43rd minute. Charles Joly had a clean look at the goal but his shot went right into the hands of Independence keeper Cody Mizell.
The Independence nearly doubled their lead in the 55th minute. Patrick Slogic sent in a cross and Calvert got his head on the ball again. But this time Crepeau was able to make the stop. Another opportunity presented itself in the 67th minute, as substitute and Rapids loanee Zach Pfeffer got a clean look on net. He fired his shot, forcing Crepeau to make a diving save.
"It's really easy to find a groove when you have teammates like these guys," said Calvert. "Credit Enzo with a quality cross, I can't ask for anything better than that. And Slogic with the same cross, I wish I could have put that in as well but I'm happy to get one today."
Montreal was pressing hard for the equalizer in the final minutes. David Choiniere created a chance in the 88th minute, but Mizell made a point blank save, earning himself the Wells Fargo Save of the Game and preserving the shutout. It marked the second straight shutout for Mizell and the Independence defense, following Sunday's 2-0 victory over New York Red Bulls II.
"I felt like at the beginning of the game we really pushed and we really were creating so many chances that guys, we started to change a little bit the mentality and we stopped doing the things that work and that's disappointing," said Jeffries. "I thought the second half we regrouped and were a little bit better but then the end of the game when it's 1-0 you know they're going to push and fight and we could never really be quite clean enough to get the counter attack goal."
The Independence (5-2-0) next week face a two-match road test, beginning with Wilmington Hammerheads FC (2-3-2) on Tuesday, May 10. The Hammerheads are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Richmond Kickers on Saturday night. From Wilmington the club will travel to Rochester, NY to take on the Rhinos (4-1-1) who are coming off a 3-2 victory over Charleston on Friday night. The Independence will return home to Ramblewood Stadium on Saturday, May 21 for the second leg of the Queen City Cup Challenge with FC Cincinnati.
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 Charlotte Independence vs. FC Montreal |
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