CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Independence face Portland Hearts of Pine for the first time this season in Matthews on Wednesday night. Here is all you need to know prior.
MATCH DETAILS:
Date: Wednesday, September 2
Time: 7:30 PM
Who: Portland Hearts of Pine
Where: Sportsplex at Matthews (Charlotte, NC)
What We’re Wearing: The Independence will be dressed in their Homage Kit.
Watch: ESPN+, WCCB Charlotte
SEASON STANDING
- Charlotte Independence
- USL League One: 14-4-4 (1st Place – 46 points)
- Last Time Out: 5-0 win vs AV Alta on Aug. 28
- Recent Form: WWWDW
- Portland Hearts of Pine
- USL League One: 5-10-8 (14th Place – 23 points)
- Last Time Out: 4-1 loss vs Fort Wayne on Aug. 29
- Recent Form: LLDDL
ALL-TIME SERIES
While the Jacks have not faced Portland yet this season, the two clubs met twice last year in the Hearts’ inaugural USL League One campaign. The two sides split the points in the first meeting on July 19, 2025, a 1-1 draw in Charlotte. Fabrice Ngah got things started for Charlotte in the 10th minute, but a 69′ Nathan Messer goal cancelled it out to nab a point for the visitors.
The return trip was more fruitful for the Maine side, as a three-goal outburst in the second half broke a 1-1 deadlock at the break. A 90+5′ Juan Moreno goal pulled one back for the Jacks, but a 4-2 scoreline went in favor of the hosts.
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
The Independence look to make it seven matches unbeaten in the league when the Hearts come to town on Wednesday, with the streak dating back to a 3-1 home win against Richmond on July 25th. Since then, Charlotte defeated Knoxville 3-1 (8/1), Greenville 1-0 (8/8), Sarasota 3-1 (8/15), drew with Forward Madison 1-1 (8/22), then returned home for a 5-0 thrashing of AV Alta last Friday.
KEEPING IT 200
Jacks skipper Clay Dimick is in line to make his 200th appearance for the club on Wednesday night. Dimick currently sits second all-time in Charlotte club history, trailing only Joel Johnson (220).
BAKERO’S RECORD-BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Jon Bakero had himself a day last time out in Matthews, recording five goal contributions in a 5-0 drubbing of AV Alta. Bakero opened the scoring in the 9′ with a beautiful free kick from a tight angle, before netting another free kick in the 45+3′. He also recorded a hat-trick of assists, with the helpers coming in the 14′, 45′, and 81′. His five goal contributions are a new single-game record in USL League One history.
PORTLAND’S POOR RUN OF FORM
Portland has been struggling as of late, having not recorded a win in the league since a 3-2 away win at FC Naples made it two-straight victories for the Hearts back on July 3. Portland has posted an 0-5-3 record in an 8-match span since that trip to Florida. Portland has only scored multiple goals once in that stretch: a 3-3 draw in Greenville where a 90+3′ goal by the Triumph snatched a victory from the hands of the visitors.
Ollie Wright has been the danger man for the Hearts this season, recording 13 goal contributions (6 goals, 7 assists) in 19 matches. He lit up the Jacks in the August 30 matchup in Maine last season, recording a goal and two assists in the 4-2 win for the hosts.
Wright is currently the joint top scorer on the team with Aboubacar Camara and Diego Gonzalez, who have also notched six goals apiece. Gonzalez has been one of the few bright spots on the recent skid for Portland, recording three goals and an assist in that span despite coming off the bench in the last two matches.
HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT
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