CHARLOTTE (Aug. 15, 2020) – The Charlotte Independence moved into second place in the USL Championship, Group G standings after defeating Memphis 901 FC 3-2 at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
Dane Kelly continued his scorching form with another goal, while Enzo Martinez scored the equalizer and Luke Haakenson tallied the game-winning goal to give the Jacks three points at home for the first time this season. Joel Johnson added two assists, including Haakenson’s game-winner.
With the win the Independence jumped to second place in the Group G standings and will face a team outside of Group G for the second time this month when they travel to Miami, Fla. to take on Miami FC. Kickoff at Riccardo Silva Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
CHARLOTTE (Aug. 15, 2020) – The Charlotte Independence moved into second place in the USL Championship, Group G standings after defeating Memphis 901 FC 3-2 at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
Dane Kelly continued his scorching form with another goal, while Enzo Martinez scored the equalizer and Luke Haakenson tallied the game-winning goal to give the Jacks three points at home for the first time this season. Joel Johnson added two assists, including Haakenson’s game-winner.
With the win the Independence jumped to second place in the Group G standings and will face a team outside of Group G for the second time this month when they travel to Miami, Fla. to take on Miami FC. Kickoff at Riccardo Silva Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Independence head coach Mike Jeffries shook up his starting XI with three changes to the lineup that began against Birmingham Legion FC, bringing in midfielder Rey Ortiz and forward Tresor Mbuyu for their first starts of the season as well as handing Haakenson his second start in four games.
"It was a big character test for us,” said Jeffries. "One of the things we talked about before the season is that it’s important to get points on days when you concede the first goal. For us to get points again after conceding first is huge.”
Chances were tough to come by for both teams in the opening stages of the match, but a handful of Memphis counterattacks challenged Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller and the Jacks’ defense. That changed soon after, as Memphis strung together a series of dangerous runs before Mark Segber’s strike (aided by a Duane Muckette pass) gave Memphis a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
As the first half progressed, the Independence began to carve out more opportunities with Mbuyu, Hugh Roberts and Jake Areman all putting hard shots towards goal. The Jacks’ best chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute after a Mbuyu bicycle-kick slammed off the crossbar.
However, it was Memphis in the opening moments of the second half that scored the second goal of the game though Rafa Mentzingen in the 51st minute. From there on, the Jacks controlled the match. After replacing Mbuyu at halftime, Kelly capitalized on a pass from Johnson out on the right wing to pull a goal back for the hosts in the 53rd minute. The goal was Kelly’s third straight at home and his fourth of 2020.
Moments later, midfielder Junior Etou drew a penalty for the Jacks after being taken down inside the box by Memphis goalkeeper Jimmy Hague. Martinez stepped up and converted from the spot to level the score in the 60th minute. The Independence did not let up, putting the game away with a goal from Haakenson in the 69th minute to complete the comeback.
“I give the guys a ton of credit given our schedule, it would have been easy to fold,” said Jeffries. “I think that’s one of the marks of good teams, finding ways to get results on nights that aren’t perfect.”
Next on the Schedule: The Independence get a break before taking on Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 23 (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+).
Social: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Independence head coach Mike Jeffries shook up his starting XI with three changes to the lineup that began against Birmingham Legion FC, bringing in midfielder Rey Ortiz and forward Tresor Mbuyu for their first starts of the season as well as handing Haakenson his second start in four games.
“It was a big character test for us,” said Jeffries. “One of the things we talked about before the season is that it’s important to get points on days when you concede the first goal. For us to get points again after conceding first is huge.”
Chances were tough to come by for both teams in the opening stages of the match, but a handful of Memphis counterattacks challenged Independence goalkeeper Brandon Miller and the Jacks’ defense. That changed soon after, as Memphis strung together a series of dangerous runs before Mark Segber’s strike (aided by a Duane Muckette pass) gave Memphis a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
As the first half progressed, the Independence began to carve out more opportunities with Mbuyu, Hugh Roberts and Jake Areman all putting hard shots towards goal. The Jacks’ best chance of the first half came in the 32nd minute after a Mbuyu bicycle-kick slammed off the crossbar.
However, it was Memphis in the opening moments of the second half that scored the second goal of the game though Rafa Mentzingen in the 51st minute. From there on, the Jacks controlled the match. After replacing Mbuyu at halftime, Kelly capitalized on a pass from Johnson out on the right wing to pull a goal back for the hosts in the 53rd minute. The goal was Kelly’s third straight at home and his fourth of 2020.
Moments later, midfielder Junior Etou drew a penalty for the Jacks after being taken down inside the box by Memphis goalkeeper Jimmy Hague. Martinez stepped up and converted from the spot to level the score in the 60th minute. The Independence did not let up, putting the game away with a goal from Haakenson in the 69th minute to complete the comeback.
“I give the guys a ton of credit given our schedule, it would have been easy to fold,” said Jeffries. “I think that’s one of the marks of good teams, finding ways to get results on nights that aren’t perfect.”
Next on the Schedule: The Independence get a break before taking on Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Sunday, Aug. 23 (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+).
Social: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Match: Charlotte Independence vs. Memphis 901 FC
Date: August 15, 2020
Venue: Sportsplex at Matthews
Competition: USL Championship
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
CLT 0 3 3
MEM 1 1 2
MEM: 2-Mark Segbers (21-Duane Muckette) 13th minute
MEM: 14-Rafa Mentzingen (2-Mark Segbers) 51st minute
CLT: 9-Dane Kelly (22-Joel Johnson) 53rd minute
CLT: 19-Enzo Martinez 60th minute
CLT: 15-Luke Haakenson (22-Joel Johnson) 69th minute
LINEUPS:
CLT: 33-Brandon Miller; 3-Hugh Roberts, 14-Duke Lacroix, 18-Aaron Maund, 22-Joe Johnson, 4-Jake Areman (17-Clay Dimick, 90’), 7-Rey Ortiz(11-Valentin Sabella, 82’), 21-Junior Etou, 32-Tresor Mbuyu (9-Dane Kelly, 45’), 15- Luke Haakenson, 19-Enzo Martinez(captain)
Subs Not Used: 1-Austin Pack, 20-Oscar Ramsey, 23-Guido Vadala, 35-Joey Skinner
Head Coach: Mike Jeffries
MEM: 12-Jimmy Hague; 19-Rece Buckmaster, 8-Marc Burch (captain),5-Triston Hodge(3-Zach Carroll, 82'), 2-Mark Segbers, 23-Leston Paul(70-Matt Hundley, 76’), 17- Michael Reed, 21-Duance Muckette, 14-Rafa Mentzingen (26-Cal Jennings 76’), 9-Keanu Marsh-Brown, 29-Brandon Allen
Subs Not Used: 25-Jim Barkel, 4-Liam Doyle, 7-Raul Gonzalez, 6- Dan Metzger
Head Coach: Tim Mulqueen
Stats Summary CLT/ MEM:
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 12 / 18
Offside: 1 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
CLT: 22- Joel Johnson(caution)……………..30th minute
CLT: 14- Duke Lacroix(caution)……….…….. 65th minute
MEM: 2- Mark Segbers………………………..72nd minute
Officials:
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic,
AR: Justin Howard, Colin Ashley
Fourth Official: Izlen Pekensa
Match: Charlotte Independence vs. Memphis 901 FC
Date: August 15, 2020
Venue: Sportsplex at Matthews
Competition: USL Championship
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
CLT 0 3 3
MEM 1 1 2
MEM: 2-Mark Segbers (21-Duane Muckette) 13th minute
MEM: 14-Rafa Mentzingen (2-Mark Segbers) 51st minute
CLT: 9-Dane Kelly (22-Joel Johnson) 53rd minute
CLT: 19-Enzo Martinez 60th minute
CLT: 15-Luke Haakenson (22-Joel Johnson) 69th minute
LINEUPS:
CLT: 33-Brandon Miller; 3-Hugh Roberts, 14-Duke Lacroix, 18-Aaron Maund, 22-Joe Johnson, 4-Jake Areman (17-Clay Dimick, 90’), 7-Rey Ortiz(11-Valentin Sabella, 82’), 21-Junior Etou, 32-Tresor Mbuyu (9-Dane Kelly, 45’), 15- Luke Haakenson, 19-Enzo Martinez(captain)
Subs Not Used: 1-Austin Pack, 20-Oscar Ramsey, 23-Guido Vadala, 35-Joey Skinner
Head Coach: Mike Jeffries
MEM: 12-Jimmy Hague; 19-Rece Buckmaster, 8-Marc Burch (captain),5-Triston Hodge(3-Zach Carroll, 82′), 2-Mark Segbers, 23-Leston Paul(70-Matt Hundley, 76’), 17- Michael Reed, 21-Duance Muckette, 14-Rafa Mentzingen (26-Cal Jennings 76’), 9-Keanu Marsh-Brown, 29-Brandon Allen
Subs Not Used: 25-Jim Barkel, 4-Liam Doyle, 7-Raul Gonzalez, 6- Dan Metzger
Head Coach: Tim Mulqueen
Stats Summary CLT/ MEM:
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 6 / 5
Saves: 2 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 8
Fouls: 12 / 18
Offside: 1 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
CLT: 22- Joel Johnson(caution)……………..30th minute
CLT: 14- Duke Lacroix(caution)……….…….. 65th minute
MEM: 2- Mark Segbers………………………..72nd minute
Officials:
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic,
AR: Justin Howard, Colin Ashley
Fourth Official: Izlen Pekensa
