CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Independence return to American Legion Memorial Stadium to host Westchester SC Saturday for Hispanic Heritage Night. Here is all you need to know.
MATCH DETAILS:
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 7:00 PM
Who: Westchester SC
Where: American Legion Memorial Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
What We’re Wearing: The Independence will be dressed in their County Kit.
Watch: ESPN+
HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT
A special night is in store for Saturday as the club celebrates Hispanic Heritage Night. The team will be wearing unique Spanish-style Hispanic Heritage kits, symbolizing the cultural passion in Charlotte and sharing the love of two sports – baseball and soccer. The game-worn match jerseys will be signed and available for purchase in our online store after the match, with all proceeds going to Camino.
Fans in attendance Saturday night will receive a special “Los Jacks” Baseball Jersey as our giveaway, while supplies last.
SEASON STANDING
- Charlotte Independence
- USL League One: 14-54 (1st Place – 49 points)
- Last Time Out: 2-0 loss at Union Omaha on Sept. 5
- Recent Form: WWDWL
- Westchester SC
- USL League One: 6-13-5 (14th Place – 23 points)
- Last Time Out: 2-1 loss at Portland on Sept. 6
- Recent Form: WDLLL
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Independence and Westchester have met once this season, doing so on the first day of the campaign. After Dean Guezen struck inside a minute to begin the year, Viggo Ortiz equalized in second half stoppage time to earn a road point.
The Independence have yet to fall to the New York side, winning both matchups last season. The match on May 10, 2025 produced fireworks, as Souaibou Marou came off the bench to score the first USL League One hat trick from a substitute and complete a second half comeback.
BAKERO, JEFFRIES TOP MONTHLY HONORS FOR AUGUST
Jon Bakero and Mike Jeffries took home Player and Coach of the Month awards for August as the Independence took care of business, going unbeaten through the month. Bakero was the star of the show in August, leading all players with nine goal contributions in six outings across all competitions, including a league-high six assists. His performance against AV Alta on August 28 was historic, as the Spaniard totaled a league-first five goal contributions in the match.
Jeffries continues to be the master behind the Independence’s 2026 success, as the Jacks went 5-0-1 in August and sit top of the USL League One table. This is his second Coach of the Month honor of the season, following his honor in June.
SCOUTING WESTCHESTER SC
Westchester SC enters Saturday’s match looking to snap a three-match losing streak after falling to Spokane Velocity, Chattanooga Red Wolves and Portland Hearts of Pine. Westchester has just one victory in its last five league matches, a 3-2 home win over FC Naples on August 15, and remains winless away from home this season at 0-9-3. Despite the recent results, Westchester has shown an ability to be dangerous going forward, scoring multiple goals in three of its last seven matches.
Conor McGlynn has been at the center of the attack, leading Westchester with 10 goals in league play. Twenty-year-old Kyle Evans has emerged as another key contributor, recording a team-high five assists to go along with two goals, while Jonathan Jiménez has added four goals and three assists. Guezen has also provided an attacking threat and scored Westchester’s lone goal in its 3-1 loss to Spokane on August 29.
