CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Independence heads to Wisconsin to take on Forward Madison in a top-of-the-table tout Saturday night. Here is all you need to know.
MATCH DETAILS
- Date: Saturday, August 22
- Time: 8:00 PM
- Who: Forward Madison FC
- Where: Breese Stevens Field (Madison, WI)
- What We’re Wearing: The Independence will be dressed in their County Kit.
- Watch: ESPN+, WCCB-Charlotte
SEASON STANDING
- Charlotte Independence
- USL League One: 13-4-3 (2nd Place – 42 points)
- Last Time Out: 3-1 win vs Sarasota on Aug. 15
- Forward Madison
- USL League One: 12-5-3 (3rd Place – 39 points)
- Last Time Out: 2-1 win at Portland on Aug. 16
TWO CHAMPIONSHIP-CALIBER SIDES
Both of these teams come into Saturday night with more than just a win on their minds. Charlotte and Madison sit second and third respectively in the USL League One table and both sides are running hot. Charlotte is coming off a perfect home stand, going 4-for-4 and picking up all 12 possible points. Meanwhile, Madison has revived their season and venture into Saturday’s match winners of seven of their last 10 matches. Charlotte and Madison have positioned themselves well in Players’ Shield contention and beyond.
JAIME EARNS USL LEAGUE ONE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
For the first time in his career, Christopher Jaime picked up USL League One Player of the Week honors after his spectacular performance against Sarasota last Saturday. Within 15 minutes, the midfielder had picked up an assist and scored his first USL League One goal as Charlotte bounced out to a 3-0 lead before anyone could blink. The engine in the Independence midfield, Jaime continues to be a key contributor for Mike Jeffries’ side and has started to add goal contributions to his name this season, sitting on five assists.
SEASON SWEEP OF THE FLAMINGOS?
Charlotte took the other matchup this season over Madison, defeating the Flamingos 3-1 at the Sportsplex at Matthews on May 23. After Madison scored the first goal of the match, the Jacks responded with goals from Luis Alvarez, Christy Manzinga, and Miles Lyons to take all three points. Both sides have won four matches in the fixture’s 13-game history.
SCOUTING FORWARD MADISON
Forward Madison enters Saturday’s matchup as one of the hottest teams in USL League One. The Flamingos sit third in the table with a 12-5-3 record and a league-best +19 goal differential, just three points behind Charlotte.
Ryan Carmichael, Hakim Karamoko and Joshua Bolma have featured prominently in a group that has shown an ability to create chances from several areas of the field. Madison has been particularly difficult to deal with at Breese Stevens Field, having gone unbeaten thus far on home turf through nine matches.
