USL League One News

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 26, 2025) – USL League One announced today that the league quarterfinal between the Charlotte Independence and One Knoxville SC will take place on Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 pm.

The Independence clinched the final playoff spot on Saturday night by way of Forward Madison and AV Alta both failing to win. One Knoxville clinched the Players’ Shield with a 1-0 victory over Greenville Triumph on Saturday.

The quarterfinal will be the fourth meeting of the season between the two sides. Charlotte took the first battle on May 16, winning 3-1 on home soil. The two played to a competitive 2-2 draw on July 30 in Knoxville and Knoxville took the final contest 1-0 at Regal Soccer Stadium on September 26.

“They’re a veteran group, solid from back to front, physical, and very, good at home,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. “I think it’s a good challenge for us to deal with their physicality, their possession, and to a lesser degree, playing in really tight space. That being said, the two games we played there were both pretty tight games.”

The match will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and locally will be available on WCCB-Charlotte.

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About Charlotte Independence: 

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.

NAPLES, FL (October 25, 2025) – The Charlotte Independence clinched a sixth consecutive playoff berth Saturday night, despite falling to FC Naples 2-0.

With AV Alta and Forward Madison both failing to win on the final day of the regular season, the Jacks booked their ticket to the dance for the eighth time in club history and earn a date with One Knoxville SC in the first round.

In the match at hand, Naples’ leading scorer Karsen Henderlong was the difference maker in the second half. He opened the scoring in the 64th minute and added a penalty in the 79th to clinch a postseason home game for Naples.

It was a promising start from the Jacks. They found much of their success early success through the middle, playing through striker #99 Christian Chaney and playmaker #9 Jon Bakero.

Yet, when they got into the box on multiple occasions, they couldn’t challenge Naples goalkeeper #1 Edward Delgado, as their attempts on goal were blocked.

Charlotte goalkeeper #31 Amal Knight stopped two shots in the first 45 minutes. He was helped out by his center back #4 Nick Spielman in the first minute on Naples’ best opportunity of the half. #21 Marc Torrellas let it fly from eight yards out, but Spielman got his body in the way to thwart the chance.

After the first 45, the Jacks were accomplishing the goal at hand, sitting in a scoreless stalemate as eyes wandered to out-of-town scores.

And during the halftime break did the Jacks learn their postseason fate. A sixth straight season heading to the playoffs after Richmond pulled off a stunning 5-1 victory over Forward Madison.

FC Naples took the lead in the 64th minute. #9 Karsen Henderlong buried his 13th of the season, sneaking in front of #20 Tobi Adewole to deflect in a near-post cross.

Delgado shut the door on a potential equalizer in the 77th minute, robbing #26 Souaibou Marou from point-blank range with a kick save.

The other way came Naples, and they drew a penalty. #2 Fabrice Ngah looked to shoulder down #4 Max Glasser cleanly, but the referee ruled it illegal. Henderlong stepped up and finished for his second of the night in the 79th minute, moving him into solo second in the Golden Boot chase on the final night of the season.

Charlotte couldn’t find a late consolation goal and ended the regular season on the losing side, but their objective on the night complete.

The Jacks will head on the road to face top-seed One Knoxville SC next week in the first round of the USL League One Playoffs. Time and TV information will be announced soon.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on clinching a playoff spot:

“We had good stretches and we had poor stretches, but if we still ended up with more points and deserves to be in the in the playoffs. I think this has been a pretty big turnover year, so integrating a lot of new people is never easy. It’s probably the first year we’ve lost significant players mid-year so we had to adjust on that end. I feel like we still have a good, talented, and very capable group heading into One Knox.”

Jeffries on tonight’s match:

“We came out and and I felt like we had a pretty solid first half and created some good chances against them and certainly defended pretty strongly. 
And actually, I felt like the beginning of the second half, we were managing the game well. I think probably the really frustrating part of the second half is that we conceded two goals off of counterattacks.”

Captain Clay Dimick on heading back to the postseason:

“One of the main goals when we start the year is to make the playoffs, so to do that is a huge accomplishment. We know we have things to improve on but we also know we believe we deserve to be there, and we will go in to playoffs confident in our group.”

Bachir Ndiaye on his excitement going to the playoffs:

“Knowing that it’s been a tough stretch to end the season, I think we all have a mutual feeling that we are better than what the standings are and that we have a certain determination to surpass the outside expectations going towards the playoffs.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 17, 2025) – Two early goals from Chattanooga Red Wolves put the Charlotte Independence in a hole they could not climb out of Friday night, dropping their home finale 2-1.

#6 Omar Ciss found the back of the net for the first time this season for the Jacks in the 39th minute to cut the lead in half.

It certainly was not the start the Jacks were hoping for. An in-swinging ball was chested down by #14 Pablo Hernandez and he put it in from inside the six-yard box to give Chattanooga an early lead in the second minute.

The nervy beginning continued as the Red Wolves were the more dangerous team in the first 10 minutes. #31 Amal Knight did well to paw away a Hernandez free kick headed for the top corner in the 11th minute.

After Knight made another big save in the 16th minute, Chattanooga doubled their lead from the ensuing corner kick. #17 Omar Hernandez’s ball found #30 Aaron Lombardi and he volleyed it past for a quick two-goal lead.

#20 Tobi Adewole nearly got Charlotte on the board in the 22nd minute. A whipped ball from assist leader #9 Jon Bakero found the center back, but goalkeeper #12 Ricardo Jerez parried it away.

Jerez stood tall again in the 35th minute. #8 Juan David Moreno sprinted onto an errant pass from Chattanooga. Pushed wider by an oncoming defender, Moreno put a right-footed effort on that Perez pushed away with his right hand.

Finally, after minutes of pressure, the Jacks ignited the crowd in the 38th minute. The Jacks turned Chattanooga over and immediately countered. #80 Christopher Jaime fed #99 Christian Chaney at the top of the box. Chaney slipped it through to Ciss in stride and he made no mistake, burying it past Perez.

That goal gave the Independence a huge lift heading into a decisive second half.

After neither side created anything stellar in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Chattanooga hit the woodwork. #6 Wynand Wessels stepped into one from the top of the box, striking the post and careening back off Knight for the corner kick.

Minutes later, #4 Nick Spielman met a #21 Tumi Moshobane free kick with his head, missing by inches past Perez’s post.

The final 30 minutes of the half was a terrific display of defense from Chattanooga. Despite having lots of possession within the Red Wolves’ half, Chattanooga did well not allowing the final pass on multiple plays and showing why they’ve conceded the third-fewest goals in the league this season.

The Jacks continued to push, sending Knight up for a late corner kick. Chattanooga again defended it well and killed the game off, taking it by a score of 2-1.

The Jacks will now be scoreboard watching, keeping a close eye in particular on Forward Madison’s match against Union Omaha on Saturday night. The Independence close their regular season schedule on the road against FC Naples next Saturday.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the performance:

“We shot ourselves in the foot. We can’t start like we started. For the first three minutes, I don’t think we even got close to the ball. Give the guys credit for the fight and it was nice to pull a goal back, and then I thought we pushed the game really hard in the second half. This is how [Chattanooga] has survived all year. They get ahead of you and pack it in and they’re good at it.”

Jeffries on the quality of chances in the second half:

“I thought we tried in different ways. I thought we had some good moments of getting balls in behind them a number of times. 
I thought our last pass choice was poor. We had talked at halftime about hitting hard ropes across the face a goal, and we didn’t do it. And then the one time we did, the guys didn’t make the run and so that part’s a little bit frustrating.”

Amal Knight on the team’s start:

“It’s very difficult being behind in the first or second minute of the game. 
It’s really tough. We know that Chattanooga is a tough team. They’ve been pretty good all year. 
So we know it was a very hard game, so to be 2-1 down at halftime and try to come out and then go to 2-2 and then 3-2, it was not going to be easy, but we tried our best. Now, we focus on what we need to do against Naples next week.”

Christopher Jaime on the comeback attempt:

“I think we were in their half and in their box a lot. In terms of grade-A opportunities, I think we lacked a bit in terms of the final pass or the final run in the box and getting on the end of plays. I think it’s one of those games where unfortunately, we concede too early and then from there, they drop off and it’s it’s hard to create in the box.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 10, 2025) – #26 Souaibou Marou buried a loose ball in the 93rd minute to give the Charlotte Independence a massive three points against AV Alta Friday night, winning 3-2.

In a must-win game with the playoffs right around the corner, the ball fell to Marou at the six and he did the rest for his ninth goal of the season.

#9 Jon Bakero opened the scoring and #99 Christian Chaney added his 12th of the year in the victory.

And 25 minutes in, the Jacks scored their first goal in 205 minutes. #8 Juan David Moreno did great work, beating his defender to a bouncing ball heading for the end line. He lifted a high ball to the penalty spot and waiting there was Bakero, who volleyed it home for the early lead.

Ten minutes later and the Jacks got their second. It was Bakero pulling the strings, whipping in a gorgeous ball. Chaney rose high and blasted it in with his head to double the advantage. Bakero’s ninth assist equalizes him for the league lead.

Four minutes before the break, AV Alta gained some life by cutting the lead in half. #7 Jerry Desdunes chipped one over Charlotte defenders and #11 Alexis Cerritos touched it through #31 Amal Knight’s legs to make it 2-1.

After taking their one-goal lead to the break, the Independence conceded the game-tying goal in the 58th minute. Freshly on the field, #2 Christian Ortiz finished into the side netting from just outside the box to knot the game up.

Alta started to flip the field, gaining momentum from their equalizer. #17 Javier Mariona’s curling attempt in the 71st minute just missed the far post.

As time dwindled, #13 Anthony Sorenson nearly won it for the Jacks. Switching to his opposite side, Sorenson beat two, cut on his left foot, and barely slipped his try past the post in the 87th minute.

In the final minute of stoppage time, the moment for the Independence came. A bouncing ball in the box came off the thigh of Chaney and fell on a platter to Marou, who blasted it home and sent the bench into a frenzy.

In the end, it is a monster win for the Independence who control their own destiny for the postseason. The win separates them further from AV Alta, and puts them in a better playoff position with two games to play.

The Independence return to American Legion Memorial Stadium for their final home game of the season next Friday in a tilt against league leaders Chattanooga Red Wolves. Get your tickets HERE!

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the win:

“A fantastic result for us and a huge credit to the guys, who finally found a way to win one at the end, which is a big, big boost for us. Obviously, we started the game well and kept a good shape. We were frustrated about conceding, but they showed a lot of character and fight to stay in the game. 
We pushed, we knew it was a game we had to win and it’s great for Marou to get a goal coming in at the end of the game.”

Jeffries on the importance of this win:

“It’s a huge win and it’s a huge win for us to come back from letting them get back in the game. For us to win it late, that’s something we really haven’t done all year. That’s a big confidence boost for us coming into the last couple games.”

Souaibou Marou on his game-winner:

“The ball fell to me and I’m thankful to score for the team. We needed this win.”

Jon Bakero on what this win does for the group:

“It was a must win. This was a playoff game. The next two games are coming are also playoff games. That’s the mentality of the group, getting that last last to go was huge for our confidence moving forward. It shows what the group wants. We’re really motivated to push and we’re really happy with the result because we deserved this one.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 3, 2025) – Spokane Velocity’s 87th minute goal broke Charlotte Independence hearts Friday night, stealing a 1-0 win a man down at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

With just four games to play, the Independence came into tonight in the final playoff spot. With AV Alta coming next weekend, the Jacks looked to grab some crucial points before the Antelope Valley side comes to town.

A #12 Camron Miller second yellow card just before the halftime stoppage appeared to be exactly what Charlotte needed to go on and win the game, but Spokane shushed the home crowd through #11 Pierre Reedy’s goal against the run of play.

After neither team could get much of anything going in the first 15 minutes, the Jacks created the first great chance in the 17th minute. #80 Christopher Jaime lifted a ball to the edge of the six-yard box. #99 Christian Chaney rose high for his header, but a diving #23 Carlos Merancio swatted off the goal line.

The Independence kept the fluid attack going. #15 Rafael Jauregui had a gaping goal, but couldn’t keep Omar Ciss’ cross under the crossbar in the 23rd minute.

The Jacks’ pressure provided a massive moment in the match. Bakero this time rose high for a flick-on and caught an elbow from Spokane’s Miller. Miller received his second yellow card of the match and put the Jacks a man up.

The Jacks didn’t create anything else substantial in the first 45, but took their man-up advantage to the half with the chance to get a massive three points in the second frame.

Immediately on the attack in the second half, #21 Tumi Moshobane got a strong header away, but again Merancio did well to get down and make the save.

Bakero let fly a blast from distance in the 70th minute that Merancio just marginally got his fingertips to to deflect it over the bar.

Merancio made his best save of the night in the 83rd minute. #2 Fabrice Ngah whipped in a gorgeous ball and #26 Souaibou Marou’s header was denied right on the doorstep by cat-like reflexes from Merancio.

In a stunning momentum shift, Spokane broke the other way. Falling to the turf, #17 Shavon John-Brown centered to Reedy, who broke Charlotte hearts burying it from the penalty spot in the 87th minute.

Marou had one more effort in the first minute of the added four. Ciss set him nicely, but his one-timer on his left foot found the hands of Merancio.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the performance:

“I mean, we had a really good opportunity with the man advantage. We’ll have to look at ourselves because we didn’t do enough with it. We created some decent chances, and Merancio made some great saves so credit on that end, but we also didn’t push the tempo of the game enough to really put them on their heels. And so that part’s frustrating.”

Jeffries on what the team needs to do with three games to play:

“We go through it. The one thing I can say is we’ve had a tough stretch of games for a while, and every week, the guys come in, they fight, they work to get better and continue to believe in themselves. Obviously, we’ve lost our cushion and now it’s up to us to make the games count and get something out of them all.”

Tobi Adewole on making his Jacks debut and the result:

“I felt comfortable out there with the guys. Just really unlucky not to come out with three points or, you know, even a point. 
I felt we deserved more. We have three more games and each game to us is a playoff game, so we know we have to come up with the results.”

Jon Bakero on the frustration of this past stretch:

“It’s just really frustrating with the work that we put in. 
I feel like we’re giving ourselves the best chance, and in a way, I feel like there’s nothing we can do to to turn the situation, but we have three games now. We still have to fight until the end because I think we have a solid group of guys that work for each other.”

KNOXVILLE, TN (September 26, 2025) – A red card and goal in the second half sunk the Charlotte Independence Friday night, as the Jacks fell to One Knoxville SC 1-0.

With points at a premium, #11 Bachir Ndiaye’s second yellow card put Charlotte in desperate need for a stand. That stand was broken by a #26 Jaheim Brown screamer in the 66th minute that proved to be the game-winner. With the win, the season series between the two sides ends 1-1-1.

One Knox had the first big chance in the 11th minute. #10 Kempes Tekiela got in behind off a flick-on. The German looped over #31 Amal Knight, but hit the goal post.

Two minutes later and the hosts came roaring again. #22 Stuart Ritchie lifted a ball into the middle of the box, and onto the head of #6 Abel Caputo. His free header didn’t hit the frame, just going over the crossbar.

Knight made his first save in the 32nd minute. A mad scramble in the box eventually found #11 Giovanni Calixtro, alone in space on the six. Calixtro swivled and shot, but Knight got down and pushed it away.

Another one hit the woodwork in the 38th minute for One Knox. Again, it was Calixtro that found the ball alone in close. Knight did well to shut down the angle, charging at the winger as he received it. The goalkeeper got just enough on it to push it off the post.

One Knox dominated the first half, holding a startling 71% of possession and outshooting the Jacks 8-0. However, the halftime score read scoreless.

The Jacks got their first shot of the game off in the 48th minute. A bouncing ball fell to #17 Clay Dimick at the top of the box. The outside back put his laces through it, but right into the hands of #1 Sean Lewis.

In the 50th minute, the task got more difficult for the Jacks. Ndiaye picked up his second yellow card of the game, getting his elbow high on a Knoxville player. It’s the third time this season the Jacks have had a player sent off.

One Knox continued to press and finally got their goal in the 66th minute. Brown let fly a rocket from outside the box. Knight got a piece, but not enough as the strike went off the post and in.

Down a man, the Jacks made an urgent push in the 78th minute. #2 Fabrice Ngah found space on the edge of the box and unleashed ahispatented left-footed howitzer that missed by just inches.

The other way came One Knox and #21 Stavros Zarokostas had a glorious chance to make it 2-0. With men pressed forward, One Knox attacked in numbers. Zarokostas beat his man and staring down Knight, couldn’t finish into the far side panel.

Despite some dangerous crosses late, the Independence couldn’t test Lewis again and the match settled at 1-0. For the Independence, they will wait and see how the other results finish this weekend as the postseason nears closer and closer.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the performance:

“We got played off the park in the first half. We felt fortunate to be 0-0 going into halftime. I thought in the second half, we came out pretty sharply and the game turned on the card decision. I thought we showed a great deal of character and hung in the game. They managed to score a worldie to get the result, but you given the guys’ character and the fight, and given where we were at halftime, I think we felt we deserved better from the game.”

Jeffries on the team’s fight despite being down a man:

“I thought the guys showed a great deal of character and fight. We actually had a stretch when we were chasing the game that you know we had them in their end and it kept them under pressure. Credit to the guys that came on and pushed the game a little bit for us, I thought they gave us a pretty good energy boost.”

Amal Knight on his contributions since earning time:

“Obviously tonight didn’t go our way but I’m just helping the team as best as possible. My teammates have welcomed me with open arms and the coach has given me an opportunity which I’ve taken so I’m grateful. I’m just doing my best as this is the last part of the season so playoffs is the main picture. So I’ll keep making saves once called up on and we just have to continue as a unit and keep fighting until the end.”

Clay Dimick on the intensity of the matches down the stretch:

“These games at this time of the year are always high stakes and high emotions. So I think for the group to rally together in the second half and fight with everything we had to try and get a result a man down is a mentality we can build off of going forward. We have four games left and we can treat each one like a final, and I know we will be ready.”

RICHMOND, VA (September 20, 2025) – The Charlotte Independence brought their four-game losing streak to a halt Friday night, beating the Richmond Kickers 3-2.

#99 Christian Chaney bagged two more goals, bringing his total to double digits, and #11 Bachir Ndiaye scored another as the Jacks broke their slump and grabbed a crucial three points.

After a start-and-stop first 20 minutes, the Kickers had a prime chance to get on the board first. #20 Adrian Billhardt was taken down in the box by #13 Anthony Sorenson in the 23rd minute, giving Richmond a penalty.

However, starting in his first game with the Jacks, #31 Amal Knight made a sterling save, getting down to his right to stop #19 Darwin Espinal.

Instead, the Independence broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. After a Richmond deflection off a pass, the ball fell to #17 Clay Dimick. The fullback played a lovely shortly pass to Chaney, who buried it past #1 Pablo Jara for the 1-0 lead.

For Chaney, he gets his 10th goal of the season in his 100th USL League One appearance.

Making up for his penalty miss earlier in the half, Espinal buried one in the 38th minute to equalize the score.

Before the halftime break, the Jacks took the lead back. A lovely free kick from one of the league leaders in assists, #9 Jon Bakero, found Ndiaye on the back post. The midfielder nodded it home to re-establish the advantage in the 45th minute.

Fourteen shots in the first frame led to three goals and the teams headed to the halftime stoppage looking to re-focus for a pivotal 45 minutes ahead.

The Jacks kept the mojo going and doubled the lead in the 53rd minute. Bakero picked up his second assist of the night, flicking one on to Chaney who finished to Jara’s near post for his 11th of the year.

A crazy sequence in the 80th minute for both teams nearly resulted in a goal. Firstly, it was Knight to the rescue. Richmond got in behind the keeper, but he scrambled to recover, knocking the ball away before the Kickers could get off a strike.

The other way went to the Independence. Bakero beat his man and suddenly was in alone on Jara. His shot deflected just wide of the post.

Richmond cut the deficit in half in the 89th minute. #6 Omar Ciss took down a Richmond attacker in the box. Unlike their first penalty, the Kickers buried this try, courtesy of #27 Chandler O’Dwyer.

The Jacks saw the rest of the game out, securing all three points and jolting the club back into fifth position in the league table.

The Jacks will go for two in a row next Friday as they take on One Knoxville on the road.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on the performance:

”A huge win for us, and desperately needed, obviously with the run we’ve had lately. I thought we really started the game well and created a few good looks. Good play to get the first goal and then I actually thought, once we conceded the equalizer, we did a good job of hanging in and keeping our composure. And then, fantastic to stretch the game to 3-1. Obviously a little bit hairy at the end, but huge to pull out the result.”

Jeffries on the importance of the win for the playoffs:

”This was an important game for us. We’ve given away the edge we had in the standings and it has definitely narrowed as the sort of bottom of the playoff table tightens up. So this game, it was huge and we knew it going in.”

Christian Chaney on his brace:

”I’ve been waiting to get back on the score sheet. I’m hoping tonight pushes the boys forward, gives us some confidence and give us a little cushion. Obviously, it was needed. Without the team and the effort that we put in today, those goals don’t come, so it’s a huge credit to the team and our resilience that we bounced back.”

Bachir Ndiaye on the importance of the win:

“It was a very important win, one that we’ve truly needed. I think that we’ve played well all the previous game just haven’t been fortunate enough. Hopefully this one can give us the confidence that we need to push for the final stretch of the season.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 17, 2025) – Charlotte Independence announced today that midfielder Djibril Faye has signed an agreement with the club. The transaction was completed prior to the USL League One Roster Freeze on Monday, September 8.

Faye, 27, last played for United Premier Soccer League side Charlottetowne Hops this past summer. Faye joining the Jacks marks his first opportunity at the professional level.

“Djibril adds depth and athleticism to our midfield group,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “He is dynamic in one-on-one situations with the ability to finish and see creative passes in the final third.”

Faye also had a standout stint with NC Ballers FC in the UPSL, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s top attacking threats. In April 2024, the forward scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Mint Hill FC II.

“I’m very excited and happy to be part of this team,” expressed Faye. “I’m looking forward to playing professional games and helping the club achieve the goals it has set.”

Faye played his college soccer at Radford University. In the 2020 season, Faye spent time playing in a higher attacking position, where he played in 9 games, logged 631 minutes and netted three goals. Faye earned Big South Conference Freshman of the Week honors in his freshman season after a two-goal week, where he scored his first college goal against USC Upstate and added another the next match against Winthrop.

Watch Faye and the Jacks take on Spokane Velocity FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Friday, October 3 at 7:00 pm. Secure your tickets HERE!

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About Charlotte Independence: 

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 12, 2025) – FC Naples converted a penalty in the 74th minute and staved off a relentless Charlotte Independence attack to secure a 1-0 win on Friday night.

In a battle of two playoff hopefuls, the Independence dominated much of the match, firing 16 shots and controlling 60% of the ball. Yet, it was one unfortunate moment that led to Naples getting the game-winner and continuing a losing streak for the Jacks as the final stretch of the season begins.

After a first 20 minutes of play and neither team creating anything dangerous, the Jacks took control of the game.

The first strong chance came from #11 Bachir Ndiaye, who was released in-behind by #6 Omar Ciss. The midfielder tried placing a bouncing ball over goalkeeper #1 Edward Delgado, but he just missed wide.

#9 Jon Bakero, playing in the 200th professional game of his career, nearly struck gold twice from distance in a span of two minutes.

His first opportunity came off a set piece in the 24th minute, but his dipping free kick just found the wrong side of the crossbar. Two minutes later, the Spaniard cut inside on his weaker left foot and fired a missile off the crossbar from 25 yards out.

In the 30th minute, another cannon from outside the box struck the woodwork, this time from #13 Anthony Sorenson on the half-volley from 30 yards.

The Jacks outshot Naples 9-2 in the first half, but could not get one over the line by the break.

The Jacks continued to dominate the game, accounting for over 70% of possession in the first 25 minutes of the second half.

In the 66th minute, one-on-one with Delgado, Ndiaye was robbed from point-blank range, who came out well to shut down the angle.

Against the run of play, Naples fired from the top of the box and struck the hand of #6 Omar Ciss, giving the visitors a chance from the spot in the 74th minute.

#10 Jayden Onen made no mistake, sending #28 Matt Levy the wrong way and giving Naples an unexpected lead.

Levy kept the Jacks alive in the 86th minute, getting his fingertips just on a deflected #14 Kevin O’Connor strike to keep the lead from doubling.

The Jacks battled until the final whistle and had a glorious chance in the 95th minute. A loose ball in the box fell to #16 Tresor Mbuyu, but the substitute couldn’t keep it down and sent it over the bar.

In the 99th minute, #8 Juan David Moreno turned inside, drove at the defense, and unloaded a howitzer over the bar, sealing a victory for FC Naples.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Mike Jeffries on his team’s performance:

“Gutted for the group. 
I mean, we actually played probably some of our best soccer in the first half, and ended up with nothing to show for it. Two inside of the post plays, but I thought we possessed the ball really well and moved them around and created chances. and we were good with our pressure and limiting them. We came out in the second half and continued to push the game and look, obviously, the game turns on the one play. 
It’s a tough break for us. And then I do feel like the moments after the penalty, we lost our tempo a little bit and lost our rhythm and weren’t able to duplicate what we had before that.”

Jeffries on the positives he is taking away:

“I thought we had a really good rotation and guys shared it. I thought we played behind them, more than we have on other days. and created more. We didn’t unfortunately, get the final pass right or the final play right, and obviously paid for it in the end.”

Tumi Moshobane on the last two close matches:

“It’s very tough when you when you lose the way we played. I mean, as a team, we just try to give it our best. 
Obviously, the chances didn’t fall our way, but just we keep trying to believe in ourselves, the coaching staff, the players, in the locker room. Just try to keep a positive mentality, positive attitude and hopefully these games that we perform very well will turn around and the results will go in our favor.”

Jon Bakero on making his 200th appearance:

“It’s been a crazy journey. I’m super thankful to do it here in Charlotte. 
I’m really, really proud of the journey, 200 games is a lot, but hopefully more to come.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 10, 2025) – The Charlotte Independence announced today the signing of defender Tobi Adewole, bolstering the team’s defensive depth as the season enters its final stretch. The transaction was completed prior to the USL League One Roster Freeze on Monday, September 8.

Adewole joins the Jacks after making nine total appearances for fellow USL League One side Westchester SC this season, scoring one goal.

“We are excited to add Tobi to our roster, as he provides a physical, athletic defensive presence as we head into the home stretch of our season. His championship and international background add experience and savvy to our defensive group,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries.

Prior to his stint with Westchester, Adewole competed with Greifswalder FC in Germany, helping the team secure second place in the Regionalliga Nordost and win the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Cup during the 2023–24 season. He also played for RW Koblenz in Germany and Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Indy Eleven, Phoenix Rising FC, and Saint Louis FC, all of the USL Championship. Adewole began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, making 74 appearances and scoring 3 goals over three seasons.

“First and foremost, all glory to God for this opportunity,” expressed Adewole. “I am truly excited to join such a historic club. This is already a fantastic group of players with great quality, and I look forward to contributing to our playoff push and helping bring home silverware.”

Adewole and the Jacks return home for Hispanic Heritage Night on Friday at 7:00 p.m. to face FC Naples. Don’t miss the action—secure your tickets and support the team’s playoff push today!

About Charlotte Independence: 

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays home games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit CharlotteIndependence.com.