Independence undefeated in last six games in all competitions
OMAHA, Neb. (April 20, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence played to a 0-0 tie against Union Omaha on Saturday afternoon at Werner Park. The Jacks are on the road again on Saturday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. against South Georgia Tormenta in the first match of the USL Jägermeister Cup. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Charlotte’s first shot on target of the game was struck by #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. in the 11th minute, forcing a quick diving save by Owls’ goalkeeper #24 Rashid Nuhu. In the 13th minute, #11 Tresor Mbuyu hit a shot of his own from distance, but it landed just wide.
The Jacks kept the pressure on the Omaha defense, and an attempt from the goal line by #14 Luis Alvarez earned the Independence its second corner kick of the afternoon in the 20th minute.
Much of the first half was played in the center of the pitch, and neither side recorded a big chance before the break.
Halftime: Union Omaha 0, Charlotte Independence 0.
#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save in the 60th minute. A corner kick was swung into the penalty area by Omaha, and Pack tipped a close-range shot onto the goalpost and out of danger. #3 Hugh Roberts II made a save of his own in the 64th minute, sliding in front of a shot by Union Omaha and deflecting the ball out of bounds.
The offensive chances for Omaha continued as Pack made another huge save in the 68th minute. On the other end, the Jacks turned a corner kick into a dangerous opportunity in the 69th minute as an out-stretched Nuhu tipped Obregón Jr.’s shot away from the net. Omaha had an immediate response, forcing Pack to slide out and stop a breakaway by the Owls.
The teams continued trading offensive chances. Pack notched another quick save on a close-range header in the 82nd minute. Then, #8 Joel Johnson’s strike inside the Omaha penalty area was directly at Nuhu.
Until the final whistle, Pack continued to show why he was the 2023 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year. A punch on a contested ball in the 90th minute secured a clean sheet for the Jacks.
Fulltime: Union Omaha 0, Charlotte Independence 0.
IN THE NUMBERS:
- In a very defensive first half, the teams combined for a 0.31 expected goals average. The Independence only allowed two shots on target by the Owls in the opening period.
- Only 14.8% of the possession from either side in the first half was in Charlotte’s defensive third.
- The Independence have not allowed the opposition to score in the first half in all four USL League One games so far this season.
- This was the second consecutive clean sheet in USL League One play this season for the Jacks.
- Goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack recorded six saves for the second consecutive USL League One game this season.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Mike Jeffries
On the result
“This is always a hard place to play. The energy and the fight and coming away with a shutout on the road against a very good team is maybe not entirely the result we were hoping for but a positive result.”
On the first half offensive efforts
“The first half was structurally very good as both teams kept shape and made it tough to play against; it was difficult to create chances. I thought we had a couple decent looks in the first half.”
On the second half defensive performance
“The second half, they pushed the game hard at the beginning of the half and had us under pressure. The end of the game was more wide open as both teams were tired. I thought we could have been better defensively on our set pieces. Austin made a couple big plays to keep the shutout alive.”
Defender #4 Nick Spielman
On the defensive success
“I think the key was the togetherness the group had; we all wanted to fight and battle. We all fought for each other and Austin made a few big saves to keep us in it.”
On the level of competition Omaha brings
“Playing in Omaha is never easy and we’ll take away positives from the game. We know on our day we are one of the best teams in this league, and it showed today.”
Midfielder #27 Bachir Ndiaye
On breaking down the Omaha defense
“We knew the challenge we were going to face coming here with the size of the field. Coach put the emphasis on second balls and being up for the battle in the midfield, and that’s what we did.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence are on the road against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. for the first match in the USL Jägermeister Cup. The match can be streamed on ESPN+.
