Charlotte Independence Hosts FC Naples in USL Quarterfinals

CHARLOTTE, NC –– The postseason begins Sunday night as the Charlotte Independence hosts FC Naples in the USL Quarterfinals. Here is your match preview prep.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS

PLAYOFF PACKAGE

MATCH DETAILS:

Date: Sunday, November 1
Time: 7:00 PM
Who: FC Naples
Where: American Legion Memorial Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
What We’re Wearing: The Jacks will be dressed in their County Kit.
Watch: ESPN+, WCCB

PATH TO A CHAMPIONSHIP

Everything is set as the chase for a championship begins this weekend. Besides Charlotte’s match on Sunday, the playoffs kicked off Friday night. The winner of Charlotte’s match will see Forward Madison in the semifinals following the Flamingos’ victory over Spokane Velocity. On the other side, second-seeded Union Omaha fell in penalties to visitors Chattanooga Red Wolves.

All quarterfinal and semi-final matchups will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Quarterfinal Schedule
Omaha vs. Chattanooga: Oct. 30, 1-1 (4-5)
Madison vs. Spokane – Oct. 30, 2-1
Charlotte vs. Naples – Nov. 1, 7 PM
Boise vs. Knoxville – Nov. 1, 8 PM

SEASON SERIES

The two sides have met twice in 2026, with both matchups producing high-scoring affairs. The Independence cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory in Naples on June 3, racing out to a three-goal lead inside the opening 40 minutes. The teams met again just ten days later in Charlotte, where Luis Alvarez stole the show. The midfielder opened the scoring just six minutes in before adding his second goal in the 82nd minute to help the Independence secure a thrilling 4-3 victory.

Saturday’s matchup marks the first postseason meeting between the clubs. While Charlotte swept the 2026 regular-season series, Naples claimed both meetings in 2025.

All-Time Record: 2-2-0

MAROU, BAKERO TAKE HOME GOLDEN AWARDS

Souaibou Marou and Jon Bakero capped off sensational campaigns by becoming the first players in club history to earn their respective league awards. Marou shattered the Independence’s single-season scoring record, finding the back of the net 18 times en route to claiming the USL League One Golden Boot. Bakero delivered a historic campaign of his own, setting a new league single-season record with 18 assists while also climbing to the top of the USL League One all-time assists chart.

Know Before You Go – Charlotte Independence vs. FC Naples | November 1, 2026

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Charlotte Independence Hosts FC Naples in USL Quarterfinals

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SCOUTING NAPLES

FC Naples needed quite the turnaround to secure its spot in the playoffs. After appearing down and out, Naples rattled off six consecutive victories to close the regular season. The final two wins were particularly dramatic, with Naples scoring game-winning goals in the dying seconds of both matches to keep its postseason hopes alive and ultimately punch its ticket to the playoffs.

Naples’ late-season resurgence has been a collective effort, with seven different players finding the back of the net during the six-match winning streak. Perhaps even more impressive has been the team’s defensive performance, conceding just three goals over that stretch. Goalkeeper Lalo Delgado has been a standout between the posts, recording nine clean sheets this season, the second-most in the league.

Naples also bolstered its midfield with the midseason addition of former Charlotte Independence midfielder Omar Ciss. The former Jack spent four seasons in Charlotte and ranks fifth on the club’s all-time appearances list.