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Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, are excited to announce rookie defender Calvin Doum has been called up to the U-20 Cameroonian National Team. Cameroon will play consecutive games against Mali in African Cup of Nations qualifying on July 13th and July 20th.

 “It's good for him because he's trained hard and I think he's made tremendous strides since the beginning of the season,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “I think he's got a good future because he's such an athletic and physical player.”

RECENT STORY: VOSER, SALAH HAD A GOOD THING GOING

 

Doum made his professional debut against the Ocean City Nor’easters on Wednesday, May 16th during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The 18-year-old recorded 45 minutes played, one shot and three crosses.

“Because our highly-experienced group at center back, he hasn't had much of an opportunity to get playing minutes, so the chance to play in two meaningful games is huge for him,” said Jeffries. “U-20 events are showcases for young, talented guys that are the future and people are looking for new players to bring in and young guys to develop.”

Although Doum has not earned much playing time for USL’s fifth-place Eastern Conference team, Coach Jeffries has noticed an uptick in the defender’s passing ability and defensive awareness during training.

“We made the commitment to some younger players who were — for a lack of a better word — projects or development-type players,” said Jeffries. “Calvin certainly fits that; guys who have a big upside. It's important to the club to have a few guys that come through the system, and do move on to good careers elsewhere. It helps the club in being noticed and prestige and, obviously, financially as those players move on.”

Coach Jeffries notes the Cameroonian National team does an exemplary job of identifying top-talent and putting those players in the best situations to succeed. Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union signed Cameroonian 21-year-old midfielder Eric Ayuk and 20-year-old defender Olivier Mbaizo the past two offseasons.  20-year-old Seattle Sounders left-back Nouhou Tolo has ten starts in 2018.

“Nouhou has been huge for them and had success,” said Jeffries. “There's a lot of guys who have come through that system, broken through to the MLS and also elsewhere. [Christian] Bassogog did well for Wilmington Hammerheads. There a lot of guys who have come through that system and done well.”

The Independence will next be in action on Saturday, June 23rd as the team travels to take on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Jack’s House Soccer Bar and Retail Store will be open for all World Cup games beginning at 8:00 AM ET and for the official Independence watch party at 7:00 PM ET. For more information and bar hours, please visit jackshouseclt.com.

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, are excited to announce rookie defender Calvin Doum has been called up to the U-20 Cameroonian National Team. Cameroon will play consecutive games against Mali in African Cup of Nations qualifying on July 13th and July 20th.

 “It’s good for him because he’s trained hard and I think he’s made tremendous strides since the beginning of the season,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “I think he’s got a good future because he’s such an athletic and physical player.”

RECENT STORY: VOSER, SALAH HAD A GOOD THING GOING

 

Doum made his professional debut against the Ocean City Nor’easters on Wednesday, May 16th during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The 18-year-old recorded 45 minutes played, one shot and three crosses.

“Because our highly-experienced group at center back, he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to get playing minutes, so the chance to play in two meaningful games is huge for him,” said Jeffries. “U-20 events are showcases for young, talented guys that are the future and people are looking for new players to bring in and young guys to develop.”

Although Doum has not earned much playing time for USL’s fifth-place Eastern Conference team, Coach Jeffries has noticed an uptick in the defender’s passing ability and defensive awareness during training.

“We made the commitment to some younger players who were — for a lack of a better word — projects or development-type players,” said Jeffries. “Calvin certainly fits that; guys who have a big upside. It’s important to the club to have a few guys that come through the system, and do move on to good careers elsewhere. It helps the club in being noticed and prestige and, obviously, financially as those players move on.”

Coach Jeffries notes the Cameroonian National team does an exemplary job of identifying top-talent and putting those players in the best situations to succeed. Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union signed Cameroonian 21-year-old midfielder Eric Ayuk and 20-year-old defender Olivier Mbaizo the past two offseasons.  20-year-old Seattle Sounders left-back Nouhou Tolo has ten starts in 2018.

“Nouhou has been huge for them and had success,” said Jeffries. “There’s a lot of guys who have come through that system, broken through to the MLS and also elsewhere. [Christian] Bassogog did well for Wilmington Hammerheads. There a lot of guys who have come through that system and done well.”

The Independence will next be in action on Saturday, June 23rd as the team travels to take on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Jack’s House Soccer Bar and Retail Store will be open for all World Cup games beginning at 8:00 AM ET and for the official Independence watch party at 7:00 PM ET. For more information and bar hours, please visit jackshouseclt.com.

Q: Knowing Mohammad from when you were teammates at Basel, would you have ever thought he'd be a headliner heading into this World Cup?

Voser: No, to be honest, I would not have expected that. Right now everyone is speaking of him like they're speaking of Messi, at the moment, because he had such a great season. I wouldn't have expected that, but he was already a big star in Eygpt when I played with him. He was already their best player, they're biggest star in the country.

Q: You saw him on a daily basis and got to know him personally. Is it weird or odd to see him getting international attention?

Voser: It's maybe weird, but it's also nice as well because he's a really great guy. He's one of the best guys I've met in football, personality-wise. He has a great heart. He's such a natural guy who is never arrogant. I know that for a fact. And I'm really happy for him and his success. It's great to see him improve so much and that he's now one of the best players in the world. I'm really happy to see that.

Q: As teammates and friends,  what was it like to play with Mohammad? 
 

Voser: We were good friends on the team. We spoke a lot once his English improved. I was playing really well, and he was playing really well. We were both playing on the right side, I was right back and he was right midfielder. I started assisting and scoring so, we had this thing going before games — I saw him eating dates before games in the mornings, so he invited me to try it once and I like it. After that I liked it and we won that game, so we made it a tradition and before games, we went to get dates and we'd eat it together. That was our routine, our habit because it worked.

Q: Were you guys superstitious?

Voser: I'm usually not, but back then, we started to be a little bit.

Q: Was a specific type of date from a specific place?

Voser: Yeah. The stadium in Basel is built in a shopping center, so there is a store there. We always went to that store.

Q: How do you think Salah and Egypt will do in the World Cup?

Voser: I'm not sure if he's going to be fit, so that will be key for them. I think if they're a bit lucky they can get through to the next round. They have a good team and they can win against teams, so hopefully, they will show us something.

Q: You told me when you signed with the Independence, part of the reason for coming to the United States was to experience the cultural differences. What are some of the differences you've experienced leading up to this World Cup?

Voser: The atmosphere. People are not talking about it. It's not huge here. I don't even know what places are showing the games right now, so I'm not sure if people are going to be watching it, or not. I haven't heard people talking about it, so that's very different than Europe because you have public viewing everywhere and you know where the public viewings will be because they build it and everyone talks about where you're going to watch the game. Obviously, it's different because the games here are the morning and early afternoon, but in Europe, they're in the evening.

Q: What are some of the things most Swiss people do during the World Cup?

Voser: They'll go to a beer garden and they'll have loads of screens and they have bratwurst and beer and watch the games. Everyone wears their jerseys. If Switzerland is playing, everyone comes in their Swiss jerseys. I can remember other world cups when Italy was involved, we'd have a lot of Italian people that come with their Italian jerseys. It's a great atmosphere. A lot of people get together.

Q: How you do think Switzerland will do in the World Cup?

Voser: I think they're in a tough group. But they're a really good team, so I expect them to maybe come second and if they're lucky, get to past the round of 16.  If they could get into the quarterfinals, that'd be great.

Q: Back home, do people expect the same or is anything less acceptable?

Voser: Yeah, if they don't make it to the next round, everyone will be disappointed. Everyone back home expects them to get through to the round of 16.

Q: A lot of Americans watch for the big storylines and the big names. Is that similar back home?

Voser: Most people try to watch every team, at least once. They're interested in the small teams as well. They try to watch those games too because they would never, ever watch a game involving a smaller nation if it wasn't the World Cup. They see that as a chance to see different teams and different countries and different players. They want to see more games than just the big matches.

Q: Knowing Mohammad from when you were teammates at Basel, would you have ever thought he’d be a headliner heading into this World Cup?

Voser: No, to be honest, I would not have expected that. Right now everyone is speaking of him like they’re speaking of Messi, at the moment, because he had such a great season. I wouldn’t have expected that, but he was already a big star in Eygpt when I played with him. He was already their best player, they’re biggest star in the country.

Q: You saw him on a daily basis and got to know him personally. Is it weird or odd to see him getting international attention?

Voser: It’s maybe weird, but it’s also nice as well because he’s a really great guy. He’s one of the best guys I’ve met in football, personality-wise. He has a great heart. He’s such a natural guy who is never arrogant. I know that for a fact. And I’m really happy for him and his success. It’s great to see him improve so much and that he’s now one of the best players in the world. I’m really happy to see that.

Q: As teammates and friends,  what was it like to play with Mohammad? 
 

Voser: We were good friends on the team. We spoke a lot once his English improved. I was playing really well, and he was playing really well. We were both playing on the right side, I was right back and he was right midfielder. I started assisting and scoring so, we had this thing going before games — I saw him eating dates before games in the mornings, so he invited me to try it once and I like it. After that I liked it and we won that game, so we made it a tradition and before games, we went to get dates and we’d eat it together. That was our routine, our habit because it worked.

Q: Were you guys superstitious?

Voser: I’m usually not, but back then, we started to be a little bit.

Q: Was a specific type of date from a specific place?

Voser: Yeah. The stadium in Basel is built in a shopping center, so there is a store there. We always went to that store.

Q: How do you think Salah and Egypt will do in the World Cup?

Voser: I’m not sure if he’s going to be fit, so that will be key for them. I think if they’re a bit lucky they can get through to the next round. They have a good team and they can win against teams, so hopefully, they will show us something.

Q: You told me when you signed with the Independence, part of the reason for coming to the United States was to experience the cultural differences. What are some of the differences you’ve experienced leading up to this World Cup?

Voser: The atmosphere. People are not talking about it. It’s not huge here. I don’t even know what places are showing the games right now, so I’m not sure if people are going to be watching it, or not. I haven’t heard people talking about it, so that’s very different than Europe because you have public viewing everywhere and you know where the public viewings will be because they build it and everyone talks about where you’re going to watch the game. Obviously, it’s different because the games here are the morning and early afternoon, but in Europe, they’re in the evening.

Q: What are some of the things most Swiss people do during the World Cup?

Voser: They’ll go to a beer garden and they’ll have loads of screens and they have bratwurst and beer and watch the games. Everyone wears their jerseys. If Switzerland is playing, everyone comes in their Swiss jerseys. I can remember other world cups when Italy was involved, we’d have a lot of Italian people that come with their Italian jerseys. It’s a great atmosphere. A lot of people get together.

Q: How you do think Switzerland will do in the World Cup?

Voser: I think they’re in a tough group. But they’re a really good team, so I expect them to maybe come second and if they’re lucky, get to past the round of 16.  If they could get into the quarterfinals, that’d be great.

Q: Back home, do people expect the same or is anything less acceptable?

Voser: Yeah, if they don’t make it to the next round, everyone will be disappointed. Everyone back home expects them to get through to the round of 16.

Q: A lot of Americans watch for the big storylines and the big names. Is that similar back home?

Voser: Most people try to watch every team, at least once. They’re interested in the small teams as well. They try to watch those games too because they would never, ever watch a game involving a smaller nation if it wasn’t the World Cup. They see that as a chance to see different teams and different countries and different players. They want to see more games than just the big matches.

Matthews (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, scored a late equalizer against Southern Derby foe Charleston Battery in front of a single-game, regular-season record crowd on Saturday night. Rookie midfielder Mutaya Mwape scored his first professional goal in the 79th minute to give the Independence a point.

"When I saw he was off his line I just tried to chip it over him and it worked," said Mwape of his game-tying goal. 

"It was a great atmosphere," said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries of the record-break attendance. "I thought it was great to see the upper decks with people in it. So I think that was great and really helpful because we had a really tired, tired group so seeing them out there was a plus to help give us a push."

The Charleston Battery got on the scoreboard first, when midfielder Kotaro Higashi was assisted by Ataulla Guerra in the 25th minute. The two sides would battle the rest of the half without a goal. 

In the last seven days, the Independence has played three games. The Independence will next be in action on Saturday, June 23rd as the team travels to take on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.

 

Scoring Summary: 25': CHS – K. Higashi (A. Guerra)         79’: CLT – Mwapel              Discipline: 69': CLT – Alex Martinez (YC)             88': CLT – Jorge Herrera (YC)

Shots: CLT – 4 CHS -7   Saves: CLT – 1 CHS – 2   Possession: CLT – 63% CHS – 36%

 

Next Game:

Matthews (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, scored a late equalizer against Southern Derby foe Charleston Battery in front of a single-game, regular-season record crowd on Saturday night. Rookie midfielder Mutaya Mwape scored his first professional goal in the 79th minute to give the Independence a point.

“When I saw he was off his line I just tried to chip it over him and it worked,” said Mwape of his game-tying goal. 

“It was a great atmosphere,” said Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries of the record-break attendance. “I thought it was great to see the upper decks with people in it. So I think that was great and really helpful because we had a really tired, tired group so seeing them out there was a plus to help give us a push.”

The Charleston Battery got on the scoreboard first, when midfielder Kotaro Higashi was assisted by Ataulla Guerra in the 25th minute. The two sides would battle the rest of the half without a goal. 

In the last seven days, the Independence has played three games. The Independence will next be in action on Saturday, June 23rd as the team travels to take on the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.

 

Scoring Summary: 25′: CHS – K. Higashi (A. Guerra)         79’: CLT – Mwapel              Discipline: 69′: CLT – Alex Martinez (YC)             88′: CLT – Jorge Herrera (YC)

Shots: CLT – 4 CHS -7   Saves: CLT – 1 CHS – 2   Possession: CLT – 63% CHS – 36%

 

Next Game:

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League (USL) professional soccer team, is pleased to announce former back-to-back league MVP Finalist, Independence franchise leading goal scorer, and current midfielder for Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer Enzo Martinez to be recognized at the Independence vs Charleston Battery game on Saturday, June 16th.

Martinez will sign autographs and take photos with fans at the Sportsplex at Matthews starting at 6:30 PM ET. Prior to kickoff, the Independence will recognition Martinez for his 2017 USL First-Team award. After the game, Martinez will be available to sign autographs with the rest of the Independence players.

RECENT NEWS: FOX 46 FEATURES MCPHILLIAMY ON WORLD CUP 2026

 

In three seasons with the Independence, Martinez appeared in 79 games scoring 29 goals. Martinez is an alumni Northwestern High School, the University of North Carolina and Discoveries Soccer club where he also served as a youth coach. In the 2002 MLS SuperDraft, Martinez was selected 17th overall by Real Salt Lake. After earning a training-camp invite with the Independence’s MLS affiliate Colorado Rapids, Martinez signed with the club on February 19th. Since then, the 27-year-old has started 11 league matches and totaled 972 minutes played with one assist.

The game on Saturday, June 16th features post-game fireworks and Southern Derby rivals Charleston Battery battling the home side Charlotte Independence. Gates will open at 6:30 PM ET and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium will receive a free Novant Health cooling towel. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.charlotteindependence.com or by calling (704) 206-1515.

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League (USL) professional soccer team, is pleased to announce former back-to-back league MVP Finalist, Independence franchise leading goal scorer, and current midfielder for Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer Enzo Martinez to be recognized at the Independence vs Charleston Battery game on Saturday, June 16th.

Martinez will sign autographs and take photos with fans at the Sportsplex at Matthews starting at 6:30 PM ET. Prior to kickoff, the Independence will recognition Martinez for his 2017 USL First-Team award. After the game, Martinez will be available to sign autographs with the rest of the Independence players.

RECENT NEWS: FOX 46 FEATURES MCPHILLIAMY ON WORLD CUP 2026

 

In three seasons with the Independence, Martinez appeared in 79 games scoring 29 goals. Martinez is an alumni Northwestern High School, the University of North Carolina and Discoveries Soccer club where he also served as a youth coach. In the 2002 MLS SuperDraft, Martinez was selected 17th overall by Real Salt Lake. After earning a training-camp invite with the Independence’s MLS affiliate Colorado Rapids, Martinez signed with the club on February 19th. Since then, the 27-year-old has started 11 league matches and totaled 972 minutes played with one assist.

The game on Saturday, June 16th features post-game fireworks and Southern Derby rivals Charleston Battery battling the home side Charlotte Independence. Gates will open at 6:30 PM ET and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium will receive a free Novant Health cooling towel. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.charlotteindependence.com or by calling (704) 206-1515.

Lawrenceville (GA) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, battled Atlanta United 2 to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night. The Independence struck early when forward Eamon Zayed scored off a Jorge Herrera corner kick in the sixth minute. 

In the 79th minute Atlanta midfielder Shawn Nicklaw lined up a shot from distance which deflected off the post, hitting diving Independence goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, and going in for an own goal. Unfortunate for Dykstra, he match his season-high five saves this season, none bigger than a one-v-one save against Atlanta midfielder José Hernández in second-half stoppage time.

Playing their last four games on the road, the Independence have collected seven points with two wins and a draw. The Independence will play a second game this week, returning home to the Sportsplex at Matthews to take on Southern Derby Rivals Charleston Battery. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET with firework following the conclusion of the match. 

Scoring Summary: 6': CLT – Eamon Zayed 79’: ATL – Own Goal              Discipline: 50': ATL – Andrew Carleton (YC)           58': CLT – Joel Johnson (YC)

Shots: CLT – 12 ATL -15   Saves: CLT – 5 ATL – 3   Possession: CLT – 42.5% ATL – 57.5%

 

Next Game:

Lawrenceville (GA) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League professional soccer team, battled Atlanta United 2 to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night. The Independence struck early when forward Eamon Zayed scored off a Jorge Herrera corner kick in the sixth minute. 

In the 79th minute Atlanta midfielder Shawn Nicklaw lined up a shot from distance which deflected off the post, hitting diving Independence goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, and going in for an own goal. Unfortunate for Dykstra, he match his season-high five saves this season, none bigger than a one-v-one save against Atlanta midfielder José Hernández in second-half stoppage time.

Playing their last four games on the road, the Independence have collected seven points with two wins and a draw. The Independence will play a second game this week, returning home to the Sportsplex at Matthews to take on Southern Derby Rivals Charleston Battery. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET with firework following the conclusion of the match. 

Scoring Summary: 6′: CLT – Eamon Zayed 79’: ATL – Own Goal              Discipline: 50′: ATL – Andrew Carleton (YC)           58′: CLT – Joel Johnson (YC)

Shots: CLT – 12 ATL -15   Saves: CLT – 5 ATL – 3   Possession: CLT – 42.5% ATL – 57.5%

 

Next Game:

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League (USL) professional soccer team, is pleased to announce the seating expansion to the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation’s Sportsplex at Matthews Stadium. With the new seating opening a few days prior to the next home game, the Independence are already closing in a regular-season franchise attendance record with sections 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 113, and 206 sold out.

The game on Saturday, June 16th will feature post-game fireworks and Southern Derby rivals Charleston Battery battle the home side Charlotte Independence. Gates will open at 6:30 PM ET and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium will receive a free Novant Health cooling towel. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.charlotteindependence.com or by calling (704) 206-1515.

The Independence averaged 1,840 in attendance over the past four home games (a 13.2% increase over 2017 attendance), including a sellout crowd versus FC Cincinnati. At the beginning of May, the Independence opened Jack’s House Soccer Bar and Retail Store for three Independence game watch parties and several other soccer viewing events. The bar features Charlotte Independence soccer beer 1775 Pale Ale by NoDa Brewing and released their FIFA World Cup viewing schedule last week.

The full Jack’s House schedule and opening hours can be found at www.jackshouseclt.com. The team will next be in action on Wednesday, June 13th as the fourth-place Independence meet Atlanta United 2 at Coolray Field. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM with the official watch party taking place at Jack’s House.

Charlotte (NC) — The Charlotte Independence, a United Soccer League (USL) professional soccer team, is pleased to announce the seating expansion to the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation’s Sportsplex at Matthews Stadium. With the new seating opening a few days prior to the next home game, the Independence are already closing in a regular-season franchise attendance record with sections 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 113, and 206 sold out.

The game on Saturday, June 16th will feature post-game fireworks and Southern Derby rivals Charleston Battery battle the home side Charlotte Independence. Gates will open at 6:30 PM ET and kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET. The first 2,500 fans to enter the stadium will receive a free Novant Health cooling towel. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.charlotteindependence.com or by calling (704) 206-1515.

The Independence averaged 1,840 in attendance over the past four home games (a 13.2% increase over 2017 attendance), including a sellout crowd versus FC Cincinnati. At the beginning of May, the Independence opened Jack’s House Soccer Bar and Retail Store for three Independence game watch parties and several other soccer viewing events. The bar features Charlotte Independence soccer beer 1775 Pale Ale by NoDa Brewing and released their FIFA World Cup viewing schedule last week.

The full Jack’s House schedule and opening hours can be found at www.jackshouseclt.com. The team will next be in action on Wednesday, June 13th as the fourth-place Independence meet Atlanta United 2 at Coolray Field. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM with the official watch party taking place at Jack’s House.

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