Goals by #11 Tresor Mbuyu (68’), #90 Khori Bennett (81’), & #14 Luis Alvarez (90’)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 9, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence claimed a rain-filled victory, 3-0, over Chattanooga Red Wolves SC on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are on the road against Lexington SC on Sunday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. All away games can be live streamed for free on Bahakel Sports.
Head Coach Mike Jeffries provided his overall thoughts following the match saying, “It was great to get the win and good to be back home after that road trip. I thought the first half they put us under a bit of pressure, but we held our own and had a couple decent chances. I thought the second half we managed the game really well. We changed the tempo with a couple quick adjustments, and we were on the front foot for most of it. It was great to get a really nice goal from Avionne and Tresor and the second one to wrap it up. The weather delay was a frustration, but the guys handled it very professionally.”
After a quiet 10 minutes to open the match, #90 Khori Bennett beat a defender to land directly in front of goal with just the goalkeeper to beat. Before Bennett got a shot off, a Chattanooga defender ran in to block the shot.
On the other end, the Red Wolves fired a dangerous chance off the post in the 20th minute, but the game remained scoreless.
Bennett had another threatening chance in the 26th minute with a shot barely saved by the goalkeeper’s leg out for a corner kick.
#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save in the 45th minute, tipping a powerful shot over the crossbar, in the final moments before halftime.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 0.
As the rain began to downpour in Charlotte, the Jacks continued attacking. #11 Tresor Mbuyu found the breakthrough in the 68th minute after a pass from #7 Avionne Flanagan from the left side of the pitch.
“We wanted to be the team that was least impacted by the rain, and ultimately, I think we held it together and stayed together throughout the environment,” Flanagan explained.
The lead was nearly doubled as #9 Dane Kelly made a sliding effort on a cross in the 72nd minute, but his shot landed just wide.
All of Bennett’s hard work paid off when he scored in the 81st minute off a free kick by #8 Joel Johnson. The free kick was redirected by a Chattanooga defender into the path of Bennett who struck the ball into the top of the goal netting.
“I had a point to prove to myself that I’m capable of doing it,” Bennett said of his first start in over a month. “Getting chances is something that I do well. I wish I could have capitalized on a few more of the ones that I had, but getting one today for me was important for my confidence and for the team obviously for us to win today.”
It was almost two goals for Bennett as the Jacks earned a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Bennett, who scored a penalty kick in the previous game, had his attempt saved by #12 Carlos Avilez.
Less than a minute later, the match was suspended due to lightning in the area. After a delay of over an hour, the match resumed for the final few minutes of play.
With his first goal of the season, #14 Luis Alvarez sealed the win with the third goal of the night for the Independence. Kelly and Alvarez took on a single Chattanooga defender, and Kelly found Alvarez wide open and able to send a ball into the far side of the goal.
“I felt like they had more of the possession and more of the statistical chances but we actually had a few good looks in the first half,” Jeffries commented. “The second half was a little more level, and I thought that we pushed the game and forced some plays.”
Full time: Charlotte Independence 3, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 0.
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Charlotte Independence will face Lexington SC on the road on Sunday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. All away games can be live streamed for free on Bahakel Sports.
