CHARLOTTE, NC (August 28, 2026) – Jon Bakero had a night to remember, recording two goals and three assists as the Charlotte Independence blasted AV Alta 5-0 on Friday night.
Bakero had a brace and a pair of helpers by the halftime intermission, as Charlotte jumped all over the California side in the first 45 minutes. The five-goal win is tied for the largest margin of victory in club history. Now sitting at 46 points, Charlotte has leapt into the top spot pending Omaha’s match this weekend.
Souaibou Marou, Reudd Manin, and Enzo Martinez all got on the scoresheet as part of the rout.
The league’s best first half team was once again, ready from the jump and Bakero recorded one of the best first 45 minutes in club history.
The Jacks vaulted into the lead within the first 10 minutes in sensational fashion. After Chris Jaime was taken down outside the penalty area, Bakero laced a beauty over the keeper and into the top corner to set the Independence on their way.
Five minutes later and it was two.
Bakero was involved again, playing a splendid ball over the top to a running Marou. The Golden Boot leader made zero mistake, taking one touch before burying into the bottom corner for his 12th goal of the season.
Jaime continued to be dangerous with the ball at his feet as he has all year. Weaving through three, the midfielder snuck a shot through a defender’s legs that marginally missed the post in the 28th minute.
Just as the lead looked to be two heading to the interval, Bakero worked more magic. He played facilitator one final time just prior to stoppage time, finding the head of Manin, who rose high to finish past a rooted Denzil Smith.
After Jaime was fouled once again just outside the box, Bakero scored his second free kick of the half. The Spaniard decided to use the wall as a decoy and blasted low into the corner, ricocheting in off the goal post for his fourth goal contribution of the stanza.
Out of the break, Bakero nearly had his third assist of the night, fizzing a ball across the frame that Marou flicked on frame, but Smith made a fantastic reaction save to keep the advantage four.
Matt Levy did not much to do on the night, but he made an excellent save in the 64th minute. Cesar Bahena came in unexpectedly to the Charlotte defense and fired from a sharp angle, but Levy held his post to make an upright stop.
With his fans serenading his name all night, Martinez made it five in the 81st minute, set up by Bakero. The Jacks broke on the counter as Stefano Pinho played through Christy Manzinga. He played cross-field in space to Bakero, who drew his defender before laying off to Martinez to blast in at Smith’s near post for his third of the campaign.
Clay Dimick kept the quest for a clean sheet alive in the 85th minute. The ball found Bahena at the back post with goal to look at, but Dimick planted himself in front of the shot to deny a sure goal and celebrated emphatically.
With the victory, the Independence move into first place as they await Omaha’s fixture with NY Cosmos on Saturday.
POST-GAME QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the result:
”I thought getting the first goal was a plus and gave us a little bit of a boost. The second goal was a nice through ball, and I think from there we felt pretty comfortable with the game. I did feel like they got into it a little bit towards the end of the first half, and then Bakero’s free kick right at the end of the first half was a dagger.”
Jeffries on Bakero’s magic:
”Great night. His dead balls were fantastic all night. And then, like I said, the through ball to Marou on the first goal was a ridiculously good pass. And tremendous — Enzo’s goal, tremendous and unselfish. Sitting on a hat trick, and he laid it off for Enzo. So credit to him. I thought he was a guy that was really impactful for 90 minutes in the final third.”
Jon Bakero on his excellent night:
”It’s just about keeping a good mentality, working hard every day, trying to stay healthy, trying to do everything to help the team in whatever position coach puts me. Just really happy to help the team and, you know, get the win and get to the top of the league.”
Enzo Martinez on his goal and celebration:
”That’s what it’s all about, right? That’s why we play this game and that’s why we do this. They were awesome. They brought so much energy to the game, and I really wanted to at least score one so I could go over there and celebrate with them, because I know it’s special for them, but it’s also special for me.
“You know, I coach those kids. I ask a lot of them every single day, and they were just so much fun. They feel like family, and I’ll remember that moment for a long time.”
