USL Charlotte Independence

RailHawks Score Five Goals in Extra Time to Knock Independence out of U.S. Open Cup

Published on June 1, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


Charlotte Independence (Left) Try to Hold off the Carolina RailHawks
Charlotte Independence (Left) Try to Hold off the Carolina RailHawks
(Charlotte Independence)

CARY, NC - The shorthanded Charlotte Independence on Wednesday night fell 5-0 in extra time to the NASL Carolina RailHawks in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at WakeMed Soccer Park. The game was 0-0 at the end of regulation, but the 10-man Charlotte squad showed its fatigue in the final 30 of extra time and the RailHawks took advantage.

The Independence dominated possession in the early minutes, but only garnered a half chance on a long shot from Caleb Calvert in the 13th minute. It was an easy save for RailHawks goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald and the home side took over from there. Brian Shriver made a breakaway in the 18th, forcing Independence goalkeeper Cody Mizell into a one-on-one situation. Mizell was able to extend his leg out and deflect the shot before being forced into another save just two minutes later.

Enzo Martinez found space on the right side in the 23rd minute, but once he got in the box was forced wide by the RailHawks defense and took a tough angle shot that was easily batted down by Fitzgerald. The game took a bad turn for the Independence minutes later, as Jun Marques Davidson was shown a red card following an unintentional boot to the head on Nazmi Albadawi, forcing Charlotte to finish the game with 10 men.

The RailHawks turned up the pressure in the final few minutes of the first half. A shot in the 42nd minute went just wide of the post, though it appeared to have been deflected, and Albadawi had a shot ding off the crossbar in the 45th.

Momentum remained with the home side in the second half as the RailHawks peppered the Independence net. Matt Watson saw an early opportunity go high and wide over the crossbar, a shot from Drew Beckie was saved by Mizell, and Austin da Luz rocketed the ball off the cross bar from outside the box. Mizell was forced into three more saves before the end of regulation, including one in stoppage time to force overtime.

The RailHawks finally found the back of the net in extra time, scoring three goals in nine minutes. Billy Schuler was able to thread the ball between Mizell's hand and the right post just two minutes into the period. Jonathon Orlando was credited with the assist. Four minutes later Albadawi beat Mizell from the center of the box for a 2-0 advantage. The RailHawks lead was pushed to 3-0 in the 99th minute, as Mizell came out of position to make a save on a shot by Tiyi Shipalane, but the ball was deflected instead and easily chipped in by Shriver.

Two more goals were added by the home side in the second period of extra time, the first by Orlando in the 109th minute and the second by Schuler in the 115th minute.

The RailHawks will now host the New England Revolution of MLS in Round 4 of the U.S. Open Cup on June 15. The Independence return to league play on Saturday, June 4, with a home match against Toronto FC II. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm at Ramblewood Stadium.

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Images from this story

Charlotte Independence (Left) Try to Hold off the Carolina RailHawks
Charlotte Independence (Left) Try to Hold off the Carolina RailHawks
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 1, 2016


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