
Goal was scored by #19 Enzo Martinez.
CHARLOTTE, NC (August 14, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence add to a four game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC tonight at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Charlotte Independence are back home on Saturday, August 21 to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
With a short weather delay the Jacks kicked off at 7:30 PM and put the pressure on early with a number of good looks in front of goal. The defense held off a handful of Pittsburgh attacks and the score remained tied at halftime 0-0.
The Jacks efforts and persistent pressure paid off in the second half. In the 47th minute, #9 Irvin Parra ran on to a long ball in the attacking third. He found #19 Enzo Martinez behind several Riverhounds defenders. Martinez, with the sliding attempt, struck the ball in the back of the net.
“The team played well, and we did what we had to do," stated Martinez. "Obviously we are looking to be able to put together a full 90 minute game. The first half felt really good on the ball and off the ball. We created a lot of chances and that has been a theme for our team every game and if we can get one of those goals early then games will be different for us. For the goal, it was all Irvin. Joel placed a great ball and Irvin somehow got to it. When I asked for the ball, I didn’t think I would get it because from his angle, his back was turned to me. Then he played me the ball and I went one on one with the keeper.“
The Independence back line continued to minimize the opportunities for the Riverhounds in the second half and your Jacks finished the night with another three points. Final score: CLT 1 – PIT 0.
“I thought the execution was excellent, probably better than the game plan," stated Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. "We went in and wanted to be really compressed defensively. The times we’ve had trouble, we become stretched out and vulnerable to pressure. Tonight I thought we did a good job of keeping on our blocks. We did a really good job of not allowing them to play through the middle of the field. Last time we played them in Pittsburgh, they were able to play through the midfield too easily. I thought we did a really good job of shutting them down and forcing play to be more direct or play wide where we could handle it. We did a really good job of moving the ball and getting from side to side quickly and then being able to create from there.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Charlotte Independence are back home on Saturday, August 21 and play host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7: 00 PM.
Goal was scored by #19 Enzo Martinez.
CHARLOTTE, NC (August 14, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence add to a four game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC tonight at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Charlotte Independence are back home on Saturday, August 21 to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
With a short weather delay the Jacks kicked off at 7:30 PM and put the pressure on early with a number of good looks in front of goal. The defense held off a handful of Pittsburgh attacks and the score remained tied at halftime 0-0.
The Jacks efforts and persistent pressure paid off in the second half. In the 47th minute, #9 Irvin Parra ran on to a long ball in the attacking third. He found #19 Enzo Martinez behind several Riverhounds defenders. Martinez, with the sliding attempt, struck the ball in the back of the net.
“The team played well, and we did what we had to do,” stated Martinez. “Obviously we are looking to be able to put together a full 90 minute game. The first half felt really good on the ball and off the ball. We created a lot of chances and that has been a theme for our team every game and if we can get one of those goals early then games will be different for us. For the goal, it was all Irvin. Joel placed a great ball and Irvin somehow got to it. When I asked for the ball, I didn’t think I would get it because from his angle, his back was turned to me. Then he played me the ball and I went one on one with the keeper.“
The Independence back line continued to minimize the opportunities for the Riverhounds in the second half and your Jacks finished the night with another three points. Final score: CLT 1 – PIT 0.
“I thought the execution was excellent, probably better than the game plan,” stated Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “We went in and wanted to be really compressed defensively. The times we’ve had trouble, we become stretched out and vulnerable to pressure. Tonight I thought we did a good job of keeping on our blocks. We did a really good job of not allowing them to play through the middle of the field. Last time we played them in Pittsburgh, they were able to play through the midfield too easily. I thought we did a really good job of shutting them down and forcing play to be more direct or play wide where we could handle it. We did a really good job of moving the ball and getting from side to side quickly and then being able to create from there.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: Charlotte Independence are back home on Saturday, August 21 and play host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7: 00 PM.