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Levy previously played with the Charlotte Eagles in USL League Two

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 11, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence announced today the signing of goalkeeper Matt Levy to a 25-day contract. Levy joins the Independence following a season with the Charlotte Eagles in USL League Two. 

“It’s been a dream ever since I was a kid to be a part of a professional program,” Levy commented. “My journey has been an interesting one to get to this point, so I couldn’t be more grateful and excited for this opportunity.”

The Pembroke Pines, Florida, native started 11 games in his second season with the Eagles, helping the team finish second in the South Atlantic Division and earn a spot in the playoffs. 

In 2022, Levy played for Florida International University as a graduate transfer, appearing in five games and recording 12 saves and two clean sheets. Levy helped the Panthers win the AAC regular season and tournament titles in his lone season with FIU. He appeared off the bench for the Panthers in the NCAA Second Round against New Hampshire and saved two penalty kicks en route to a shootout victory. 

Levy began his collegiate career at Jacksonville University where he notched one ASUN South Division title and one ASUN tournament title. He started 11 games as a true freshman in 2018, making 63 saves and solidifying a spot on the ASUN All-Freshman team. During his sophomore season, Levy won five matches in 13 starts with 65 saves. Levy posted his best goals against average of 1.07 in the 2021 spring season with a 7-3-1 record and six shutouts. 

“Matt is a promising young goalkeeper with excellent technical abilities and athleticism,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “In the short time he has been with us, he has impressed with his composure and confidence. We feel Matt has potential to develop into a top goalkeeper and are looking forward to working with him.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence host South Georgia Tormenta FC this Saturday, August 12 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m.

Goals by #9 Dane Kelly (18’) & #56 Gabriel Obertan (47’)

GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 5, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence faced a late defeat due to a penalty kick against Greenville Triumph SC, 3-2, on Saturday evening at Paladin Stadium. The Jacks return home on Saturday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. against South Georgia Tormenta FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

Head Coach Mike Jeffries provided his overall thoughts on the match postgame saying, “Obviously giving away two goals in stoppage time in the first half is very disappointing. We fought really hard to get back in the game. It’s tough when a game gets determined in this way, but that’s part of the game.”

Neither team threatened in the first 15 minutes as the possession remained mostly in the middle of the pitch. With the first shot of the match, #9 Dane Kelly put the Independence in the lead in the 18th minute. Kelly passed the ball out wide to #8 Joel Johnson who fed the ball back to Kelly inside the box for the forward to send a shot sailing over the goalkeeper. 

The Jacks earned the first corner kick of the match in the 27th minute after a dangerous cross from #17 Clay Dimick was cleared out the backline before it could reach #6 Omar Ciss in front of goal. 

After not being called into action much during the first half, #1 Austin Pack made a crucial goal line save in the start of stoppage time after a ball bounced off a few defenders. Only a few plays later, the Triumph equalized on a corner kick with a header by #25 Leonardo Castro. It was suddenly 2-1 in favor of the hosts after more unfortunate bounces in the penalty area allowed Castro to score a second goal. 

“We were good for the most part,” Johnson said. “Everything was reduced to small details. It was going well until we conceded the first goal, and I think it was a lack of concentration.”

Greenville did not record a single shot on goal in the first 45 minutes but entered halftime with three shots on target after a fortunate seven minutes of stoppage time. 

“There were stretches where we were under pressure, but I thought we actually did a good job of managing it for the most part,” Jeffries commented. “Up until the corner kick goal, we limited chances fairly well.”

Halftime: Greenville Triumph SC 2, Charlotte Independence 1.

Less than two minutes after entering the match as a halftime substitute, #56 Gabriel Obertan leveled the score with a shot beating the goalkeeper at the near post. Kelly played a through ball narrowly past a defender to Obertan on the left side of the penalty area to set up Obertan’s first goal of the season.  

Similar to the first half, the second period saw the ball mostly possessed in the middle of the field with occasional attacking chances for each side. 

“There were stretches in the second half where we had half chances, but we were not good enough when we got in the final third,” Jeffries added.

The Independence faced a bit of misfortune as Greenville earned a penalty kick after a handball late in the game. #8 Aaron Walker converted the penalty kick to give the Triumph a 3-2 lead.

The Jacks continued attacking with a dangerous pair of headers by #4 Nick Spielman and Dimick off a corner kick in stoppage time. None of the final chances sealed a breakthrough as the Triumph emerged with the win.

Full time: Greenville Triumph SC 3, Charlotte Independence 2.

“We have to move on quickly and shift our focus to Tormenta at home Saturday,” Dimick stated.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will play the only home game in August on Saturday, August 12 against South Georgia Tormenta FC. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 

Goals by #9 Dane Kelly (PK – 10’, 82’), #7 Avionne Flanagan (29’) & #2 Fabrice Ngah (77’)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 29, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence scored a season-high four goals in a crucial win over Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 4-1, on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. #7 Avionne Flanagan and #2 Fabrice Ngah each scored their first goal of the season while #9 Dane Kelly bagged a brace. The Jacks are on the road next weekend to face Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 5 at 7:00 p.m.

“It’s the most important game of the season for us right now because they’re top of the table, and for us to get three points and move closer behind them is really good for us,” Kelly explained. “We stuck it out as a group, and I think it was a good team performance.”

Northern Colorado started on the front foot with a dangerous chance in the 2nd minute, but the Jacks then threatened in the 4th minute. #8 Joel Johnson received the ball on the run, and his shot was saved directly into the path of #11 Tresor Mbuyu, but Mbuyu could not make clean contact with the ball. 

The Independence took the lead in the 10th minute with a penalty kick scored by Kelly. A looping ball from midfield by Mbuyu found the feet of #10 Miguel Ibarra who slotted it to Kelly just inside the penalty area where he was fouled. 

The Jacks continued feeding the ball to Kelly as he lingered among the Hailstorm defense. #17 Clay Dimick joined the offensive pressure in the 22nd minute on the end of a long ball over the defense by Ibarra, but his attempt was saved. 

“I thought we showed a lot of composure on the ball, especially in the first half,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “We moved the ball well, we were patient when we needed to be, and we were direct when we needed to be.”

Flanagan doubled the lead with his first goal of the season in the 29th minute. It was a solo effort as Flanagan dribbled from midfield before unleashing a shot from outside the penalty area into the far right netting. 

The Charlotte defense sustained increased pressure from the Hailstorm for the remainder of the half but stayed positioned to block all attempts and restart possession in the other direction.

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 2, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 0.

Northern Colorado dominated the possession to start the second half and capitalized with a goal in the 49th minute. A give-and-go movement between #30 Bruno Rendon and #27 Valentin Sabella setup the shot from #19 Billy King, cutting Charlotte’s lead in half.

“We gutted our way through the first half to 2-0 and came in with a 2-0 lead,” Jeffries said. “We knew they were going to come out in the second half and push the game. I was most proud that once it became 2-1, we showed a lot of steel and managed the game defensively.”

With the best chance for the Independence thus far in the second half, Mbuyu rattled a shot off the outside of the side netting in the 63rd minute. On the other side, #1 Austin Pack notched back-to-back diving saves in the 66th minute, both resulting from set pieces. 

A pair of substitutes combined to extend the lead to 3-1 in the 77th minute as Ngah scored his first goal of the season just two minutes after entering the match off a pass by #56 Gabriel Obertan across the face of goal. 

“It’s nice to be able to bring on guys of that quality at the end of the game,” Jeffries added. “I’m really pleased that those guys came in and made the impact that they did.”

Kelly solidified the win with his second goal of the night in the 82nd minute off Obertan’s second assist of the match. Mbuyu stole possession in the defensive half and found Obertan who played a through ball to Kelly streaming towards the penalty area, and the forward only had the goalkeeper to beat. 

“Dane was fantastic,” Jeffries commented. “Dane’s movement was really good and caused their center backs a lot of trouble, and it was a good, intense performance from him.” 

Despite being outshot by the Hailstorm, the Independence took advantage of the opportunities in front of goal to score a season-high four goals. Kelly is now tied with Mbuyu for the team-lead with six goals this season.

“We knew this game was going to be important,” Flanagan expressed. “We dropped three points when we were out there last time we played them. We knew this game was important playing a top-of-the-league team, so it was about mentality and going out there to compete every second.”

Fulltime: Charlotte Independence 4, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 1.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence hit the road to face Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 5. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. All away matches can be streamed for free with Bahakel Sports.

Goal by Tresor Mbuyu (4’)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 22, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence fell 2-1 to Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are at home again on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night. Fans who donate a toy will receive one complimentary ticket. 

Head Coach Mike Jeffries provided his overall thoughts after the loss which ended a five-game winning streak at home. “We stopped playing after we got to 1-0. We relaxed, didn’t keep the intensity up, and made really sloppy mistakes. I’m disappointed. I take responsibility for the preparation, and we weren’t ready enough or sharp enough on the night.”

The Jacks started on the front foot with multiple attacking chances in the first two minutes. #8 Joel Johnson was caught offside on the first possession of the game, and #7 Avionne Flanagan sent a shot just wide of the goal in the 2nd minute. 

It did not take long for the Independence to score the opening goal through a side volley by #11 Tresor Mbuyu off a long cross by #10 Miguel Ibarra in the 4th minute. 

Charlotte continued to pressure the Fuego defense, but suddenly, Central Valley drew level with an intercepted pass along the backline in the 19th minute, scored by #59 Maximus Ekk. Stemming from a throw-in deep in the Independence half, the Fuego took a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute with a close-range shot by #15 Jordan Chavez. 

“Sometimes an early goal works against you,” Jeffries said. “Sometimes an early goal makes you relax, and tonight there was no question that we didn’t maintain intensity or play with any urgency after that.”

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 1, Central Valley Fuego FC 2.

Johnson notched the first attempt of the second half for the Jacks with a volley that soared just over the crossbar. 

#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save with his leg in the 59th minute on a dangerous shot by the Fuego. 

In the 70th minute, substitute #14 Luis Alvarez sprinted down the field on a breakaway one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot was narrowly saved. Mbuyu forced a quick diving save from the Central Valley goalkeeper with a shot at the near post in the 78th minute.

The Independence continued attacking against a packed Fuego defense, but all of the chances fell just short.

“Maybe it was the movement or the ball circulation, but I don’t think we were clicking to our best ability,” #12 Brad Dunwell commented.

Full time: Charlotte Independence 1, Central Valley Fuego FC 2.

“Sometimes things don’t go the way we wanted or what we planned,” Mbuyu shared. “It’s part of the game; sometimes you lose and you learn from it.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Saturday, July 29 at American Legion Memorial Stadium for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night presented by Novant Health. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans who donate a toy will receive one complimentary ticket.

Goal by #17 Clay Dimick (90+’)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 19, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence earned a late win against Greenville Triumph SC thanks to a stoppage time goal by #17 Clay Dimick. The Jacks are back at home on Saturday, July 22 to face Central Valley Fuego FC. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m.

After a thrilling finish, Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared his overall thoughts. “The guys played really well and created a lot of chances. To keep the fight and find a way to break through was huge. It’s a big three points obviously.”

It was a quiet first 15 minutes for both sides until #7 Avionne Flanagan dribbled down the left side and sent a cross into the box off a rebound, finding #9 Dane Kelly. The striker tricked Greenville goalkeeper #99 Jared Mazzola into diving the wrong direction, but Kelly’s shot was saved by Mazzola’s foot. 

Another close chance for the Independence came in the 23rd minute as #11 Tresor Mbuyu sent a powerful shot directly at Mazzola off a cross from #10 Miguel Ibarra. Flanagan brought the power in the 38th minute with a strike from outside the penalty area, earning a corner kick for the Jacks. After the corner kick, the pressure continued on the Greenville defense with a central shot by Kelly after a pass from Ibarra. 

The Jacks kept attacking as a shot by #8 Joel Johnson went narrowly wide in the 44th minute. A long ball over the Triumph defense to Ibarra from #6 Omar Ciss forced Mazzola to attack, and Ibarra’s touch was just too long to beat the keeper. 

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, Greenville Triumph 0.

A solo dribble by Mbuyu in the 53rd minute ignited the Independence offense to start the second half. Mbuyu weaved through a few Greenville defenders, but his shot was saved. Johnson and Ciss each launched long range shots in the following minutes searching for an opening goal.

Ciss showed off his foot skills before unleashing a shot off the crossbar in the 66th minute. A breakaway run by Mbuyu in the 75th minute was almost lethal, but a stumble allowed the defense to catch up and mitigate the danger. 

In the 90th minute, a ball across the endline by #2 Fabrice Ngah found the head of #90 Khori Bennett, but his attempt landed wide. The Jacks kept knocking as Mbuyu played a ball across the face of goal in stoppage time, but there was nobody in the path to finish it. 

With almost the final kick of the game, Dimick buried a loose ball in front of goal to give the Independence a stoppage time winner.

Full time: Charlotte Independence 1, Greenville Triumph 0.

“It’s good to have a game in Richmond where we come back and get a late equalizer and obviously much better to find a winner on pretty much the last kick,” Jeffries explained.

This was the eighth clean sheet of the season for the Jacks. #1 Austin Pack added another five saves to his league-leading season total.

“In the last few games, we’ve been conceding quite a few goals, so tonight we dug deep and went back to the basics on what we do,” defender #4 Nick Spielman said. “Austin also made a couple big saves, and we got the clean sheet.”

“The most important thing is to get the three points,” Ciss shared. “We have the next game on Saturday, and the focus is on getting ready for Saturday to win that game too.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will play Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday, July 22 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit charlotteindependence.com.