USL Charlotte Independence

Luke Haakenson Goal Lifts Charlotte Independence to Spirited 2-0 Win vs. Memphis 901 FC

Published on September 3, 2020 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


CHARLOTTE - The Charlotte Independence utilized an own goal and a strike from Luke Haakenson to defeat Memphis 901 FC 2-0 at AutoZone Park. The victory marks the Jacks' fourth win of the 2020 USL Championship campaign and keeps them in second place in the Group G standings.

Independence head coach Mike Jeffries returned to almost the same starting lineup that the Jacks featured in Saturday's defeat to Birmingham Legion FC, the lone exception being Joel Johnson's installation at right back in place of Clay Dimick.

The game's first chance served as a pivotal moment. After the Independence conceded a penalty in the eighth minute, Jacks 'keeper Brandon Miller denied Memphis 901 FC forward Keanu Marsh-Brown from the spot to keep the score level. Miller would go on to make four more saves in the match, giving him a league-leading 47 saves.

The Jacks eventually broke through late in the first half. A 32nd minute corner kick from Jake Areman bounced off a Memphis 901 FC defender at the penalty spot and went beyond the reach of Memphis netminder Tim Howard for the opening goal.

Just before halftime, the Jacks doubled its lead as Aaron Maund found Haakenson on the counter who tucked in the game's second goal to give the Independence a 2-0 advantage heading into the break. The goal marked Haakenson's third tally of the season and Maund's second assist. That score would stand up for the final result as the Independence celebrated its second victory on the road this season.

"We knew that they would come out really aggressively and we survived the first 15-20 minutes of the game," said Jeffries. "We were fortunate to get the first goal and the key was getting the second one right before the half."

"Luke [Haakenson] scoring was an important goal off of the counter and it set the tone for the second half."

With the win, the Independence holds firm in second place in the Group G standings, five points clear of North Carolina FC and six points behind Birmingham Legion FC. In the night's other Group G match, NCFC defeated Legion FC 2-1 and reached ten points in eight games.

"I thought the guys did a great job of tonight, added Jeffries. "For us to be up two goals at halftime, it helps the legs when you're feeling good and confident."

Next on the Schedule: The Independence returns to Group G play and the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday, September 5 against North Carolina FC. The derby will be the second meeting between the two North Carolina rivals this season (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+). After the derby, the Jacks face Birmingham Legion FC on September 12 at BBVA Field in Birmingham, Alabama. (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+).

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GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:

CLT - Own Goal (Keanu Marsh-Brown), 32nd minute: A corner kick by Jake Areman struck Memphis 901 FC forward Keanu Marsh-Brown in the penalty area and rolled beyond the reach of Tim Howard for the opening goal. CLT 1, MEM 0

CLT - Luke Haakenson (Aaron Maund), 45+3 minute: From his own half, Aaron Maund found Luke Haakenson out on the left wing. The midfielder shielded the ball from a defender, turned nicely, beat another defender inside the box and curled a shot into the bottom right corner from eight yards out to give the Independence a 2-0 lead. CLT 2, MEM 0 FINAL

Match: Charlotte Independence at Memphis 901 FC

Date: September 2, 2020

Venue: AutoZone Park

Competition: USL Championship

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

CLT 2 0 2

MEM 0 0 0

CLT: Own goal (Keanu Marsh-Brown)..................32nd minute

CLT: 15-Luke Haakenson ..............................45+3 minute

LINEUPS:

CLT: 33-Brandon Miller; 3-Hugh Roberts, 14-Duke Lacroix, 18-Aaron Maund, 22-Joel Johnson, 4-Jake Areman (20-Oscar Ramsey,90+2), 7-Rey Ortiz (27-Derek Gebhard, 69'), 15-Luke Haakenson (17-Clay Dimick, 85'), 21-Junior Etou, 9-Dane Kelly (90-Christian Chaney, 85'), 19-Enzo Martinez(captain)

Subs Not Used: 1-Austin Pack, 23-Guido Vadala, 32-Tresor Mbuyu

Head Coach: Mike Jeffries

MEM: 1-Tim Howard; 19-Rece Buckmaster, 8-Marc Burch (70-Matt Hundley, 70'), 5-Triston Hodge 2-Mark Segbers (3-Zach Carroll, 45'), 23-Leston Paul (10-Jean-Christophe Koff, 59'), 16-Tommy McCabe, 21-Duane Muckette (20-Jose Baxter, 45'), 14-Rafa Mentzingen 9-Keanu Marsh-Brown, 26-Cal Jennings (29-Brandon Allen, 45')

Subs Not Used: 12-Jimmy Hague, 4-Liam Doyle

Head Coach: Tim Mulqueen

Stats Summary CLT/ MEM:

Shots: 7 / 13

Shots on Goal: 3 / 5

Saves: 5 / 2

Corner Kicks: 4 / 3

Fouls: 6 / 8

Offside: 0 / 2

Misconduct Summary:

MEM: (caution) 23-Leston Paul.............. 53rd minute

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