Jacks Knock Out Rhode Island FC In Dramatic Shootout
April 17, 2024 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Charlotte Independence News Release
Charlotte Independence eyes the ball against Rhode Island FC in the US Open Cup
(Charlotte Independence)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 with a victory over USL Championship side, Rhode Island FC, in a dramatic penalty shootout on Tuesday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are on the road against Union Omaha on Saturday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). The match can be streamed through ESPN+.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The visitors took an early lead with a powerful shot by #28 Conor McGlynn in the 11th minute, but that was certainly not the end of the goals for the night.
#14 Luis Alvarez had multiple chances in the first 25 minutes for the Jacks. His biggest chance came in the 23rd minute off a pass from #11 Tresor Mbuyu inside the penalty area, but a Rhode Island player prevented a shot on goal.
A long ball from #2 Fabrice Ngah to #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. proved to be a game changer as Obregón Jr. was fouled in the penalty area. He scored the ensuing penalty kick to bring the score level in the 26th minute.
On a counterattack, the Jacks took the lead in the 35th minute. A long ball from Alvarez from deep in the Charlotte defensive end found Mbuyu streaming down the field with only one defender trailing him. Mbuyu tapped the ball around the Rhode Island goalkeeper #22 Jackson Lee and calmly slotted a shot in the back of the net.
In first half stoppage time, Rhode Island tied the game with a goal from a narrow angle by #2 Nathan Messer.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 2, Rhode Island FC 2.
Only five minutes into the second half, RIFC retook the lead with a strike into the top right corner of the goal by #12 Clay Holstad.
#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save in the 58th minute using his size to block a close range shot. The defense continued to battle the pressure from the visitors while trying to create some offensive momentum.
A well-executed passing sequence between #2 Fabrice Ngah and Obregón Jr. led Ngah to the endline, but his cross was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick in the 64th minute.
Pressuring the Rhode Island defense paid off in the 72nd minute. Alvarez took the ball off a defender's foot and took advantage of Lee's positioning to slot the ball into the far post netting.
Pack put his body in harm's way again with a diving save inside the six-yard box against a challenging attacker in the 87th minute. He made a pair of quick saves in the 90th minute as Rhode Island continued to pressure heavily.
The Jacks nearly found a breakthrough in stoppage time as both teams scrambled in the RIFC penalty area. #9 Kharlton Belmar passed the ball to Obregón Jr. whose spin move around a defender opened him up for a shot, but many deflections later, Rhode Island cleared it out of danger.
End of regulation: Charlotte Independence 3, Rhode Island FC 3.
The first major chance of extra time was for the Independence in the 93rd minute. Mbuyu passed the ball to #17 Clay Dimick on the run, and he crossed it to Obregón Jr. who volleyed it on a turn, but it landed wide.
Obregón Jr.'s shining moment was only a couple minutes away as the Honduran scored the go-ahead goal and secured a brace on the night in the 95th minute. Obregón Jr. shot with his first touch on a cross from Mbuyu. Lee saved the effort, but Obregón Jr. was there to clean up the rebound and net Charlotte's fourth goal of the night.
For much of the second extra time period, the Jacks were on defense. Rhode Island scored an equalizer in the 115th minute through #3 Stephen Turnbull.
Charlotte had a few more breakaway chances on offense, but nothing resulted in a goal, sending the game to a penalty shootout.
End of extra time: Charlotte Independence 4, Rhode Island FC 4.
Pack picked up where he left off in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round with a save on Rhode Island's first penalty kick. Belmar and Mbuyu scored their shots from the mark to give the Jacks an early advantage.
After Charlotte missed two of the next three penalty kicks, Pack stepped up again with a save to send the shootout to sudden death. #7 Rayan Djedje slotted his kick followed by a successful shot by RIFC. #13 Anton Sorenson stepped up and scored his penalty. To seal the match, Pack saved Rhode Island's next kick.
FINAL: Charlotte Independence 4 (5), Rhode Island FC 4 (4).
NOTABLES:
This was the Independence's first win against a USL Championship side in the U.S. Open Cup since 2015.
Reaching the Round of 32 is the furthest the Jacks have advanced in the U.S. Open Cup since 2015.
Four goals are the most scored in a U.S. Open Cup game by the Independence since 2015.
Goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack saved three penalties in the shootout. He now has six penalty kick saves in the past three matches (5 in USOC shootouts, 1 in USL1).
Forward #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. scored his third goal in two games for the Independence. This was Obregón Jr.'s second career brace.
Forward #11 Tresor Mbuyu scored his first goal of the season.
Midfielder #14 Luis Alvarez scored his second goal of the season.
The Charlotte Independence needed extra time and a penalty shootout to decide a winner in its second-straight game in the U.S. Open Cup.
Midfielder #47 Isaac Scheer's 30 minutes played are a career high for the Academy signee.
QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Jeffries
On the team's fight to find a way to win
"I am tremendously proud. It took a lot of character to go down twice in the game and find a way back. They showed the confidence to stay in the game and get it done. We talk a lot about the mentality needed to win, and the guys showed it tonight."
On Austin Pack's performance
"Certainly credit to Austin. Not just the penalties, but he kept us in the game when we needed it."
On the energy from the crowd
"For a Tuesday night in the Open Cup, it was a great crowd that was loud and really into it, and I think it will end up being a night we all remember in part because of the crowd."
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence are on the road against Union Omaha on Saturday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). The match can be streamed through ESPN+.
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United Soccer League One Stories from April 17, 2024
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- Know Before You Go: Union Omaha vs. El Paso Locomotive FC - Union Omaha
- Jacks Knock Out Rhode Island FC In Dramatic Shootout - Charlotte Independence
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