CHARLOTTE, NC (September 12, 2026) – Christopher Jaime scored in the 91st minute to send the Charlotte Independence over Westchester SC in a thriller Saturday night, 5-4.
The nine-goal affair is the second-most goals ever scored in USL League One and the action did not disappoint as both teams mounted two-goal comebacks. With the win and Omaha defeating Corpus Christi, the club has officially clinched a playoff spot for the seventh consecutive season.
Westchester led 2-0 in the first half before the Jacks rattled off four goals in quick succession, thanks in large part to a Joey Skinner brace. Westchester pulled it back to level in the second half before Jaime struck twine in stoppage time to give Charlotte all three points.
More USL League One history was made on the night – midfielder Jon Bakero recorded two more assists and now sits alone at the top of the single-season assist list with 13.
The strongest chance of the opening 10 minutes fell to the visitors. Dean Guezen took Skinner one-on-one to the end line before cutting a cross back toward the six-yard box. Striker Daniel Burko was left alone, but couldn’t redirect his header on target.
Westchester earned a penalty in the 18th minute when Burko was brought down by Jeando Fuchs. One of the top goalscorers in USL League One, Conor McGlynn stepped up and buried his spot kick past George Tasouris for his 11th goal of the season.
By the 27th minute, the visitors had doubled their lead. Off the second ball from a corner, Aleksai Armas whipped a first-time delivery onto the head of Jack Loura, who brilliantly redirected it toward goal while facing away from the net for his first professional goal.
The Independence then proceeded to flip the game on its head in a matter of two minutes. First, Christy Manzinga did excellent work after picking up the ball around midfield and driving to the edge of the area. The forward laid it off to Skinner at the top of the box, who took one touch onto his right foot before whipping a finish into the side netting.
One minute later, Jaime switched the play beautifully, finding Viggo Ortiz in acres of space on the left flank. The Mexican international drove at his defender and fired, with his shot taking a deflection before finding the bottom corner to stunningly tie the game in a matter of moments.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Independence continued to fly forward. Jaime held up play on the edge of the area before backheeling to Manzinga, whose effort forced Andrew Hammersley into a strong save and out for a corner.
The ensuing corner brought USL League One history. Bakero put the set piece on a platter, landing it perfectly on the head of Skinner, who powered home his second goal of the half. With his 12th assist of the season, Bakero became the league’s all-time single-season assists leader, passing Jonathan Bolanos and Arthur Rogers.
The Independence made it four goals in the half’s final minute. Bakero was involved once again, laying the ball into the path of Manzinga. The striker drove into the area and slipped his finish past Hammersley to cap an incredible first-half turnaround.
Making his first career USL League One start, Tasouris made a stellar save 20 minutes into the second half. Koen Blommenstijn drove at the Charlotte defense and fired on his left, but the goalkeeper made a strong right-hand save. Shortly after, Westchester got back within a goal.
It was Blommenstijn on the end of an excellent cutback from Daniel Bouman to blast home from six yards out to make it a one-goal contest.
Blommenstijn equalized for Westchester in the 77th minute. Sega Coulibaly was dispossessed in his own half and the visitors were off to the races. Blommenstijn raced with the ball at his feet and the substitute thundered a strike into the bottom corner for a brace in less than 15 minutes on the pitch.
Charlotte, desperate to not let the three points slip, pushed for a late winner. Stefano Pinho was sprung behind, but was denied by a rushing Hammersley. Shortly after, Mathis Guffroy let fly, looking for his first professional goal, but went just high. With one minute remaining in regulation time, Enzo Martinez lifted his effort from 12 yards over the bar.
The goal finally did come in fantastic fashion. Clay Dimick won the ball just outside the Westchester area and directed it to Jaime. The midfielder drove five yards and rocketed home a left-footed strike into the roof of the net, sending American Legion Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.
Charlotte’s five goals give them 60 on the season, only one behind the single-season record set by Union Omaha in 2023. With Charlotte and Omaha both winning Saturday night, both teams have clinched playoff berths.
POST-GAME SOUND
Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the win:
“Crazy game. Obviously, very disappointed with how we started. We were flat, and they were sharp and they pushed the tempo. Once we got down 2-0, obviously a huge play to get the first one. Joey kind of pulled it out of nothing and found a way to make a play. And I think we picked up the tempo the rest of the first half.
The only thing I’d 100% add is the character of the group. When it got to 4-4, we were like, “We’re getting this done.” And you can see that mentality. You can see the tempo pick up right away. And that’s obviously a great thing for us and something we can go to.”
Jeffries on Jaime’s goal:
“The guy’s been running all game and he’s still got enough to have a burst and get by and then finish at the end of the game. So, it says a lot about him and what he means to our group.”
Chris Jaime on his goal:
”This isn’t a game that I think any of us wanted to drop any points from. So, it just took a little bit of individual magic, honestly. But it all starts with Clay winning it and the whole team pushing up. So I just decided to bang it in. I’m very glad that we were able to win.”
Jon Bakero on setting a new league record for assists:
“I’m just very lucky to be on a great team. Great coaches, great teammates. You know, the thing about assists is that someone else also has to do a big job. So, I’m happy to provide that, but, you know, they’re all really good teammates that put the ball in the back of the net.”
