Late Spokane Goal Sinks Man-Up Independence
Published on October 3, 2025 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, NC - Spokane Velocity's 87th minute goal broke Charlotte Independence hearts Friday night, stealing a 1-0 win a man down at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
With just four games to play, the Independence came into tonight in the final playoff spot. With AV Alta coming next weekend, the Jacks looked to grab some crucial points before the Antelope Valley side comes to town.
A #12 Camron Miller second yellow card just before the halftime stoppage appeared to be exactly what Charlotte needed to go on and win the game, but Spokane shushed the home crowd through #11 Pierre Reedy's goal against the run of play.
After neither team could get much of anything going in the first 15 minutes, the Jacks created the first great chance in the 17th minute. #80 Christopher Jaime lifted a ball to the edge of the six-yard box. #99 Christian Chaney rose high for his header, but a diving #23 Carlos Merancio swatted off the goal line.
The Independence kept the fluid attack going. #15 Rafael Jauregui had a gaping goal, but couldn't keep Omar Ciss' cross under the crossbar in the 23rd minute.
The Jacks' pressure provided a massive moment in the match. Bakero this time rose high for a flick-on and caught an elbow from Spokane's Miller. Miller received his second yellow card of the match and put the Jacks a man up.
The Jacks didn't create anything else substantial in the first 45, but took their man-up advantage to the half with the chance to get a massive three points in the second frame.
Immediately on the attack in the second half, #21 Tumi Moshobane got a strong header away, but again Merancio did well to get down and make the save.
Bakero let fly a blast from distance in the 70th minute that Merancio just marginally got his fingertips to to deflect it over the bar.
Merancio made his best save of the night in the 83rd minute. #2 Fabrice Ngah whipped in a gorgeous ball and #26 Souaibou Marou's header was denied right on the doorstep by cat-like reflexes from Merancio.
In a stunning momentum shift, Spokane broke the other way. Falling to the turf, #17 Shavon John-Brown centered to Reedy, who broke Charlotte hearts burying it from the penalty spot in the 87th minute.
Marou had one more effort in the first minute of the added four. Ciss set him nicely, but his one-timer on his left foot found the hands of Merancio.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the performance:
"I mean, we had a really good opportunity with the man advantage. We'll have to look at ourselves because we didn't do enough with it. We created some decent chances, and Merancio made some great saves so credit on that end, but we also didn't push the tempo of the game enough to really put them on their heels. And so that part's frustrating."
Jeffries on what the team needs to do with three games to play:
"We go through it. The one thing I can say is we've had a tough stretch of games for a while, and every week, the guys come in, they fight, they work to get better and continue to believe in themselves. Obviously, we've lost our cushion and now it's up to us to make the games count and get something out of them all."
Tobi Adewole on making his Jacks debut and the result:
"I felt comfortable out there with the guys. Just really unlucky not to come out with three points or, you know, even a point. ©I felt we deserved more. We have three more games and each game to us is a playoff game, so we know we have to come up with the results."
Jon Bakero on the frustration of this past stretch:
"It's just really frustrating with the work that we put in. ©I feel like we're giving ourselves the best chance, and in a way, I feel like there's nothing we can do to to turn the situation, but we have three games now. We still have to fight until the end because I think we have a solid group of guys that work for each other."
United Soccer League One Stories from October 3, 2025
- WSC Drops 3-1 Decision at South Georgia Friday Night; Home Finale Awaits Next Sunday in Mount Vernon - Westchester SC
- Tormenta FC Topples Westchester SC 3-1 at Home - South Georgia Tormenta FC
- Late Spokane Goal Sinks Man-Up Independence - Charlotte Independence
- Know Before You Go: October 4 Match - Portland Hearts of Pine
- Match Preview: Portland Hearts of Pine vs FMFC - Forward Madison FC
- Chattanooga Falls in Rivalry Match, Ready to Respond at Home - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- Match Preview: Texoma FC vs AV Alta - Texoma FC
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