Goals by #8 Joel Johnson (46’) & #14 Luis Alvarez (90+’)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 28, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence earned its first win of the 2024 USL League One season with a stoppage time winner over Spokane Velocity FC on Thursday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks host South Carolina United Heat in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Charlotte held Spokane without a shot on target in the first half while the Jacks created multiple threatening chances offensively.
The Independence earned a dangerous free kick outside the penalty area in the 12th minute. #13 Anton Sorenson’s service swung to the back post where #7 Rayan Djedje headed the ball to #3 Hugh Roberts II, but his header was caught by Velocity’s goalkeeper, #1 Carlos Merancio.
Another free kick, this one further out, in the 40th minute from #14 Luis Alvarez reached the penalty area and found #4 Nick Spielman. His looping header was narrowly caught by Merancio.
Alvarez sent a curling shot towards the top right post from outside the penalty area in the 43rd minute, but it landed wide. Neither team found a breakthrough in the first half.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, Spokane Velocity FC 0.
It only took 22 seconds for the Jacks to score in the second half. Charlotte began possession with the kickoff and worked the ball over to #11 Tresor Mbuyu. Alvarez launched a first-touch shot off of Mbuyu’s cross, and the rebound from Merancio’s save went directly to #8 Joel Johnson who buried the shot.
The Independence defense held Spokane without a shot for the middle 30 minutes of the match, but much of Velocity’s offense stemmed from crosses. The visitors tied the score in the 72nd minute with a goal by #2 Javier Martin Gil off a cross by #11 Pierre Reedy.
Not long after entering as a substitute, #24 Denzel Akyeampong had a threatening chance on offense along the endline, but his shot was saved. The Independence continued attacking through the end of the game. #9 Kharlton Belmar almost finished a loose ball in the Spokane defense, but Merancio secured the ball first.
In the 96th minute, Alvarez scored a solo goal to give Charlotte a late lead. An attempted pass by Spokane deflected off of #2 Fabrice Nagh, and the ball landed in Alvarez’s path. He sent a shot through multiple defenders from the top of the penalty area into the far post for the lead.
Fulltime: Charlotte Independence 2, Spokane Velocity FC 1.
NOTABLES
- #13 Anton Sorenson and #29 JC Obregón Jr. made their first league starts for the Independence after starting in the US Open Cup a week ago.
- #8 Joel Johnson scored his 11th career goal for the Independence which moved him up to tied for seventh in club history for all-time goals.
- #14 Luis Alvarez scored his second-ever goal for the Independence.
QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Jeffries
On the response out of halftime
“Right off the kickoff, we were able to create a great chance and get a goal out of it. It set a confidence-building tone for us in the second half. I’m a little disappointed that we got disjointed in the second half and conceded the equalizer and a couple other good chances, but credit to the guys; they hung in on a day that was really hard and managed to find a way to win.”
On handling Spokane’s offensive crosses
“We handled the crosses well. In the second half, we got caught where we let the crosses come in from too close which led to the goal. Nick and Hugh were huge in the middle, winning balls and handling crosses. Clay and Anton on the back post did a good job as well.”
Midfielder #8 Joel Johnson
On the second half performance
“We adjusted some of the things that weren’t working well at halftime. The mentality in the second half was great. Even when they scored on us, we had the courage to come back and get the three points.”
Defender #3 Hugh Roberts II
On defending Spokane’s crosses
“We know they like to look wide. Their midfielders had some time on the ball and we know they like to play these smart little passes, but we were definitely prepared for it, so I felt like we had a good, solid first half locking them down. We adjusted on the fly in the second half and that’s what led to our first goal in the second half.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence are back at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. against South Carolina United Heat in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Tickets can be purchased here.
