Late Goal from Kingsley Bryce Propels Saint Louis over Charlotte
July 4, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - On a warm and breezy Saturday night, the Charlotte Independence fell 2-1 to visiting Saint Louis FC. The game was even until the 88th minute, when Saint Louis midfielder Kingsley Bryce buried a rebound shot to steal the victory.
Saint Louis controlled possession from the start, and their efforts were rewarded in the 6th minute. Patrick Doody sent a long ball into the box, where Parker Maher headed it down to the back of the net. Independence goalkeeper Matt Lampson, recently received on loan from Columbus Crew SC, dove but couldn't quite get a hand on it.
The Independence started to press in the 24th minute. Ryan Finley headed down a cross from Ben Newnam to set up Alex Martinez, but Saint Louis keeper Alec Kann made the save. Charlotte had another opportunity about eight minutes later, when Paolo Del Piccolo found Carlos Alvarez with space on the left side. Alvarez settled the cross but shot the ball over the crossbar.
Charlotte came out of the half rejuvenated and immediately starting attacking the Saint Louis net. Jorge Herrera had a shot on goal, as did Finley, but both were denied by Kann. But the pressure paid off in the 68th minute. Herrera sent a cross to Martinez who passed back to Daniel Jackson for the finish. It was Jackson's first goal with the Independence this season.
Jackson created another chance in the 72nd minute, but Kann just barely got a hand on it. Patrick Slogic also had a header blocked off the line.
Saint Louis found their legs again in the 77th minute. Substitute Charles Renken had space coming through the middle but pulled his shot wide left. He had a second opportunity from the right side but sent it over the crossbar.
The game winner came four minutes later. Lampson made a diving save on the initial shot from Bryan Gaul, but Bryce was there to pound in the rebound.
"We blew the game in the first 10 minutes," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. "We weren't sharp in the first 10 minutes, and not just the goal, but we were flat. And then we were pushing for the winner, we had a number of chances to clear the ball, get the ball out at the end of it, and just didn't do it. Clearly, yes, we had a lot of chances but we also weren't very clinical in the final third. Our last pass wasn't good enough. Choices of when we took an extra touch, or when we tried to play the pass, we were slow on a lot of plays."
The result marked Charlotte's second loss at home this season, with the first being the inaugural opener on March 27. The Independence (4-5-4) fall to ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, while Saint Louis (4-5-6) takes over eighth place.
A crucial road test begins on July 11, when the Independence travels to Slugger Field to face Louisville City FC, who is coming off a 3-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. The first time Charlotte and Louisville faced off this season the Independence recorded a 1-0 victory. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 4, 2015
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- Kickers Defeated 3-0 in Louisville - Richmond Kickers
- Late Goal from Kingsley Bryce Propels Saint Louis over Charlotte - Charlotte Independence
- Vincent Powers Hounds to Impressive Win - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Saint Louis FC Pulls out 2-1 Road Victory over Independence - Saint Louis FC
- Benbow Keeps Islanders Undefeated at Skyline - Penn FC
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