USL League One News

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 24, 2025) – Charlotte Independence announced today that midfielder Alfredo Midence has been recalled to parent club Lexington SC.

Midence officially joined the team on loan on March 27. He debuted with the Independence on April 11 against Forward Madison FC and started every USL League One match from that point on. Midence scored his first Jacks goal on the road in the Jacks’ come-from-behind victory against Texoma FC on May 3, earning him Team of the Week honors.

Midence racked up four assists in his seven games played, which led the league. In the team’s last league match, Midence set up Christian Chaney for the go-ahead goal in the Jacks’ win over One Knoxville SC.

Midence earned Team of the Week honors for a second consecutive week in Week 10 in the squad’s big comeback victory against Westchester SC. Midence set up Souaibou Marou’s game-winning goal late in the match.

The club wishes Alfredo all the best as he returns to Lexington.

The 2025 season continues on Saturday, May 31 for the Jacks as they host Lexington SC in the Jagermeister Cup. 2025 Season Ticket Deposits are available now for just $25 per seat. This year, the club also introduced a new Lil’ Jacks Kids Season Ticket which includes all 17 home games starting at just $100. 

Visit CharlotteIndependence.com/SeasonTickets for more information. 

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 all 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 (May 16, 2025) – The Charlotte Independence knocked off the unbeaten One Knoxville SC Friday night, winning 3-1 and extending their winning streak to four games.

#7 Luis Alvarez, #99 Christian Chaney, and #26 Souaibou Marou all found the back of the net in the victory.

One Knoxville came into the match as the only unbeaten team in the league, having won three and drawn three. Over five total meetings, the Tennessee side also had never lost to the Jacks.

After the two sides felt each other out for the first 15 minutes, it was the Jacks that got on the board first. Alvarez picked up the ball on the edge of the box, nutmegged his defender, and fired from a tight angle, beating One Knoxville goalkeeper #1 Sean Lewis.

One Knoxville found success down the flanks in the first half, but center backs Javen Romero and Nick Spielman were dominant within their own penalty area, combining for five clearances.

Twice, the Jacks nearly made it 2-0 in a span of seven minutes. #6 Omar Ciss fired from just outside the box, but his strike just missed the bottom corner in the 28th minute and a redirection from #99 Christian Chaney went over the top in the 35th minute.

One Knoxville absorbed the pressure and then foudn the equalizer. After earning a corner kick, One Knoxville captain #4 Jordan Skelton got on the end of the corner. His first header was saved by #28 Matt Levy, but Skelton followed up his miss to make it 1-1.

A feisty first half ended tied with all to play for in the second 45.

The Jacks were quick to take back the lead in the second half through a gorgeous counterattack. Alvarez slipped through #18 Alfredo Midence, who then slid it across wonderfully in stride to Chaney who fired into the roof of the net.

Midence now leads the league with four assists.

Down a goal, One Knoxville poured on the pressure to tie it back up. However, the Jacks were relentless defensively, not allowing the visitors any high-danger opportunities for large portions of the second half.

The closest One Knoxville came to tying it was in the 82nd minute. Captain Clay Dimick made a crucial block on a One Knoxville strike bound to hit the back of the net and seconds later, Levy stood tall on a shot fired at him from 10 yards out.

Ciss was inches from putting the game away in the 86th minute. A highlight-reel backheel pass from #9 Jon Bakero found the midfielder, but a diving fingertip save from Lewis saved the game.

Again, pressing for the equalizer, One Knoxville sent bodies forward into the box in stoppage time, but they ended up being their downfall.

In the sixth minute of stoppage time, #5 Javen Romero’s clearance sent away Marou, who made zero mistake, finishing cooly with his left foot for his fourth goal in two games and giving the Jacks the insurance they had been looking for.

QUOTES:

Coach Mike Jeffries on his team’s current confidence level:

“I think it’s great that we’re finding ways to create chances and make plays and then finding ways just to win. We’ve dealt with adversity for a couple weeks in being behind. And today, we conceded the equalizing goal and hung in the game and still managed to push it well enough to win.”

Jeffries on getting off to a good start:

“It was nice, it relaxed us for a couple minutes, but they are a good side, they put us under. Disappointed a little bit with the way the their goal played out, but I thought we kept our heads and kept our composure and still managed to do the things we wanted to do.”

Javen Romero on the team winning four in a row:

“Getting our fourth win in a row, I mean, it’s perfect, builds confidence each game, but definitely we don’t think we’re the best or anything. We’ve got to keep working hard training hard every day at training and just fight for what’s next.”

Christian Chaney on the team scoring at least three goals in four straight games:

“Like I said after the first game that we had together, it was a project, it’s not something that happens overnight. We had to get a rhythm, we got to get used to each other. And now, the locker room is tight. Things are nice. 
The level of play is quality. I think now it just focusing on keeping the ball out of our net. And once we do that, you already know we can score, so let’s see where it goes from there.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (May 10, 2025) – #26 Souaibou Marou’s three unanswered second half goals completed a second consecutive two-goal comeback for the Jacks, knocking off Westchester SC 3-2.

The comeback is the second consecutive match the Jacks have trailed 2-0 and found a way to secure all three points, spoiling Westchester’s first home USL League one match in franchise history.

Marou’s performance marks the league’s first hat trick of the 2025 season and the first time in USL League One history a substitute has scored a hat trick.

On the first opportunity of the game for either side, it was Westchester that scored their first home league goal. After the Jacks coughed up the ball in their own half, former Jack #29 JC Obregon touched it on to #6 Conor McGlynn who finished nicely into the bottom corner.

Westchester controlled play for the majority of the first 25 minutes and Obregon nearly made it 2-0 with a strike from the top of the box that thankfully for the Jacks, was right at goalkeeper #28 Matt Levy.

The Jacks started to find their game as the first half continued and began to create chances of their own. #18 Alfredo Midence was the primary catalyst, missing a curler just wide in the 25th minute.

In the 37th minute, #7 Luis Alvarez beat Westchester defender #23 Juan Palma, drove quickly into the box, and attempted to bend one past goalkeeper #21 Andrew Hammersley, but the keeper was down quickly to make the save.

The home side doubled the advantage in the 40th minute. Former Jack Obregon buried it from the penalty spot after #11 Bachir Ndiaye illegally took down #10 Dean Guezen inside the box.

Midence had a final opportunity that just went wide in first half stoppage time and the Jacks had some work to do to salvage anything in the second half, down by two.

And did they ever go to work.

Immediately, Hammersley was called into action as he stopped a near post free kick from Midence and a rocket from Alvarez within the first ten minutes of the second half.

After the Independence continued to pile on pressure, Alvarez took a quick corner to Midence on the edge of the box. Midence’s shot was saved but halftime substitute Marou was there to volley it home to cut the deficit in half.

The Independence refused to take their foot off the gas and in the 73rd minute, they equalized. A pretty give-and-go between #99 Christian Chaney and Midence led Chaney down the edge of the box and he squared it perfectly into Marou’s path who made no mistake.

Two minutes later, former Jack #5 Joel Johnson went into the book for the second time, giving Charlotte a man up for the final 15 minutes.

After 14 minutes of continued pressure and Westchester doing all they could to avoid the comeback, it was Marou once again. Midence, who was sensational all game, lifted a beautiful cross to the six-yard box and the Cameroonian headed home the 89th minute game-winner, finishing off a phenomenal final 45 minutes in the first ever meeting between the two teams.

QUOTES:

Mike Jeffries on the team completing another comeback:

“We felt like we actually played fairly well in the first half and got punished for a few mistakes, so we entered the second half with confidence. We felt like the mentality was if we could pull a goal back in the first 15 minutes and make it a game, then we could have a chance to push the game. I thought we played really solid in the second half. Once we got the goal, we could see the confidence from the guys and then to play the last 15 minutes a man up, and it was good of the guys to take advantage of it.

Jeffries on Souaibou Marou’s second half performance:

“Obviously, fantastic performance. The movement that he showed in the box is one of his strengths and it got him in for the goals. Very, very clever, always trying to free himself, and a good presence in the box to finish when he gets in those areas. We felt like we needed some of the qualities that he could bring facing the game. The box presence, the runs in behind, strecthing the game a bit…I thought he came in and did those things so I am proud of him and happy for him…To come in the second half and bang three goals home is quite a credit.”

Souaibou Marou on the team picking up the victory:

“I am so moved and very happy to represent the Charlotte Independence and it’s thanks to the whole team because we work so close together. We are so proud, especially since we were losing 2-0, and we will continue to work harder to get the top of the standings.”

Alfredo Midence on confidence with the ball at his feet:

“I believe that confidence on the field comes from preparation and practice. When I have the ball at my feet, I feel a sense of responsibility to create opportunities for the team, which motivates me to perform at my best.”

SHERMAN, TX (May 3, 2025) – Charlotte Independence completed the comeback Saturday night against Texoma FC, 4-3. The team, down 2-0 early, rallied to defeat the Texan squad late.

The Independence controlled play early, building up from the defense leading to two crosses with one resulting in a save by Texoma goalkeeper #1 Mason McCready in the 12th minute.

In the 21st minute, the high press from Texoma forced a Jacks turnover and #10 Ajmeer Spengler buried the shot off the misplaced pass to give Texoma a 1-0.

In the 29th minute, #20 Solomon Asante for Texoma FC bent a free kick with his right foot into the top right corner to extend the lead to two.

The Independence continued to battle and were rewarded. The attack built up off the foot of #7 Luis Alvarez who played a beautiful ball into #18 Alfredo Midence, who pulled it back and found #99 Christian Chaney on the six-yard box, burying it into the bottom corner to cut the lead in half as the game headed to halftime.

The Jacks found the equalizer in the 53rd minute. #15 Rafael Jauregui’s cross found Alvarez who hit the bar and captain #17 Clay Dimick headed home the follow-up, making it 2-2.

Minutes later, the Jacks led. The Independence earned a corner kick. Shortly after, Alvarez laid it off for Midence, whose shot took a deflection into the back of the net for the 3-2 lead.

Texoma continued to battle and found the equalizer in the 84th minute. Spengler got his second of the game off a cross from #35 Brayan Padilla. Everything was all even with five minutes to play.

After Charlotte goalkeeper #28 Matt Levy made a strong save in the 89th minute, a penalty was given to the Jacks. Alvarez stepped up and coolly chipped it by McCready to give Charlotte back the lead in the 94th minute to clinch victory for the road side.

The final whistle blew after nine minutes of stoppage time and the Jacks return to the 704 with three points in their pocket.

QUOTES:

Clay Dimick on scoring in the win:

”It meant a lot to score that goal for the team, but most importantly we won and however I can help the team win is what I strive to do. I am super proud of the fight This team showed to come back and hold onto a win away from home!”

Luis Alvarez on the winning penalty:

”These are things that happen in the instant. I don’t think anything crossed my mind. These are decisions that are made at the last minute, and thank God it happened. All my teammates know that I always try new things.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 20, 2025) – Two second half goals propelled the Charlotte Independence to an Easter Sunday victory, knocking off South Georgia Tormenta FC 3-2 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. #99 Christian Chaney, #11 Bachir Ndiaye, and #9 Jon Bakero all found the back of the net for the Jacks.

The scoring started early as Bakero’s cross found #18 Alfredo Midence, whose initial attempt was blocked, deflected back off Midence, and fell to Chaney, who clipped it in for an 9th minute icebreaker.

The Jacks thought they made it two in the 23rd minute. Gorgeous build-up play led to #17 Clay Dimick finding #7 Luis Alvarez for the finish, but the assistant referee ruled it offsides.

The Jacks continued to have the better of the chances in the first half as #15 Rafael Jauregui snuck in behind, but South Georgia Tormenta goalkeeper and former Jack #1 Austin Pack made the near post save.

South Georgia had a few chances in the first half, but none of their shots hit the target. #7 Niall Reid-Stephen had the best of them, but he sent it over the crossbar from 10 yards out.

The Jacks took a 1-0 lead to halftime.

South Georgia immediately got back into the game. Ndiaye knocked down Reid-Stephen on the back post and the referee pointed to the spot. #16 Mason Tunbridge stepped up and buried it into the top corner for his fifth goal of the season.

The Jacks retook the lead in the 61st minute. #13 Anthony Sorenson burst down the left wing into the box and centered to Ndiaye for his first goal of the season.

They extended the lead to 3-1 in the 73rd minute. #17 Clay Dimick’s teasing cross went across the goal mouth and Bakero was there to head it home to double the lead.

#28 Matt Levy did really well to keep the lead two in the 78th minute as he made a diving fingertip save on South Georgia’s #58 Oscar Jimenez.

The Tormenta would not go away, however. The visitors drew one back in the 88th minute as left back #3 Gabriel Alves’s cross found #9 Sebastian Vivas, who headed it home to suddenly make it nail-biting time in American Legion Memorial Stadium.

This time, the Jacks survived to receive all three points.

QUOTES:

Mike Jeffries on his team’s performance:

“Obviously pleased. We needed to close the game out, even though we made it hard. I thought we handled conceding a goal right at the start of the second half really well. We kept our composure , kept our shape and still managed to play and found a way to score a couple of nice goals.”

Christian Chaney on getting the three points:

“Massive three points. It’s been a little bit of a struggle as of late with the fallout in the Open Cup and not closing out games properly. This was really necessary and it’s nice getting back to winning ways. We’re starting to mesh more, we’re getting more and more used to each other, and I think now is when we start putting the foot on the gas and take off.”

Bachir Ndiaye on getting on the scoresheet:

“It meant a lot. I felt like I helped in that moment. We gave up an unfortunate goal, but it meant a lot for myself to get on the scoresheet and get the team up a goal in that moment.”

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 11, 2025) – An 88th minute goal from #24 Nazeem Bartman settled things 1-1 between Charlotte Independence and Forward Madison FC Friday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium. #7 Luis Alvarez netted the goal for the Jacks.

The Jacks absolutely dominated the first 45 minutes, but could not make the most of their opportunities.

The chances started in the 7th minute when #15 Rafael Jauregui was denied an open net by a retreating Forward Madison defender who saved Jauregui’s shot off the line.

The Jacks thought they made it 1-0 in the 20th minute, but #99 Christian Chaney’s goal was called back for offsides.

#9 Jon Bakero was all over it in the first half. He very nearly broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, but his angle on an open goal was sharp and he put it over the bar. Three minutes later, Forward Madison goalkeeper #36 Wallis Lapsley robbed Bakero from point-blank range.

Charlotte Independence registered seven shots to Forward Madison’s one, but the scoreboard read 0-0 as both teams headed to the locker rooms to regroup.

Forward Madison FC did well to limit the Jacks in the second half with long spells of possession to take Charlotte out of their rhythm.

However, the Jacks’ moment finally came in the 83rd minute. Alvarez stole a Forward Madison pass in their own half, drove down to the edge of the box, and thundered a strike into the side netting past Lapsley to give Charlotte a deserved lead.

That lead was short-lived though. Five minutes later, on one of their very few chances of the game, Forward Madison substitute Bartman headed a cross home on the back post to level it and stun the home crowd.

Neither team could find the winner in the final five minutes and stoppage time and the Jacks only come away with a point.

QUOTES:

Mike Jeffries on his team’s performance:

‘We played fantastically in the first half and we couldn’t come away with the goal we needed, and there was frustration from that in the second half. We made the play to get a lead and to concede off a second set piece is really, really disappointing at that moment in the game.”

Jeffries on a second game in a row with a late goal conceded:

“You cannot dwell on it and worry about the last five minutes every game. It is just disappointing becuase we had the game in good hands and we don’t stay with runners on a dead ball situation that relatively should be a fairly simple exercise, so that’s the frustrating part.

Defender Nick Spielman on the late concession:

“We need to stay switched on for the full 90. We can’t let up just because we are up a goal.”

Midfielder Bachir Ndiaye on not converting in the first half:

“We created a lot of chances in the first half and we just needed to put one away and we didn’t, and then in the second half, the game came out how the game came out.”

GREENVILLE, SC (April 5, 2025) – An 86th minute goal from Greenville Triumph proved to be the difference as the Jacks fell on the road in Paladin Stadium, 0-1.

Charlotte goalkeeper #28 Matt Levy was called quickly into action, making a great diving save with a shot from near the penalty spot in the 6th minute.

#99 Christian Chaney earns Jack’s first shot of the match, with his shot from just outside the penalty area going a few yards wide of the post. That was the beginning of the Jacks gaining lots of offensive momentum, earning opportunities from corners and free kicks.

In the 30th minute, great passinh and ball movement were pieced together by the road side, and #9 Jon Bakero played an in-swinger cross to Chaney, but his header landed inches over the crossbar.

The Independence were able to create more opportunities by attacking through the width in their offensive half, through the pace of #15 Rafael Jauregui and the playmaking of #18 Alfredo Midence.

However, the first half ended scoreless and there was all to play for in the final 45 minutes.

Early into the second half, a Greenville free kick that was flicked on in the penalty area tested the Jacks defense, but Levy made another excellent save to keep the game level.

#26 Souaibou Marou took a great strike in the 72nd minute, but his shot went over the bar, not testing the Greenville goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Levy kept the game tied, making another crucial leg save, with a shot coming from right outside of the six yard box.

Chaney attempted a spectacular bicycle kick near the penalty spot from a cross from #17 Clay Dimick, but his shot went over the bar.

In the 86th minute, Greenville finally found the game’s breakthrough with just a few minutes left to play. #25 Leonardo Castro headed home the game-winning goal after receiving a chipped cross.

The Jacks continued to battle for the rest of the half and into extra time, but they were not able to put one in the back of the net.

QUOTES:

Coach Mike Jeffries on the final outcome of the game:

“Really frustrating night and disapppointing. Didn’t do well on the goal defensively. I felt like the first half wa sort of a typical game on that field. I felt in the second half, we pushed the game before the goal came. Would’ve liked to come away with something after tonight.

Jeffries on close battles with Greenville:

“It’s always an intense game with them. They’re a tough team at home in a difficult venue. Credit to them, they’re a good team, well-organized, and Rick has done a good job with them. We have a decent rivalry going for sure.”

Matt Levy on taking away the positives:

“I think we created enough chances to win the game. We found ourselves in the right spots to get good chances and things just didn’t swing our way tonight. We did well defending for the majority of the match as well. Even though things didn’t go our way, it’s definitely positive to see the potential we have as a squad.”

Christian Chaney on continuing to improve:

“I think as a collective, we know we know we got to do better. I think overall out of the game that we had the better of the chances. I think there are moments in the game we could’ve went and killed the game. There’s a lot of new players in the team that we still got to figure out what our identity is going to be in the year. We know that we have what it takes.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 3, 2025) – Third round matchups for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup were announced today. The Charlotte Independence will host USL Championship side North Carolina FC on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, NC.

This will be the first of two matchups between the two sides in a span of two weeks. The two teams face off in the Jägermeister Cup on April 25.

The Jacks reached the third round in dramatic fashion on Tuesday night, defeating Carolina Core FC 2-1 in extra time. Souaibou Marou’s first Jacks goal in extra time served as the game-winner.

Through four games, North Carolina FC currently sit in 3rd place in the USL Championship standings. This will be North Carolina FC’s first game of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Cary-based club made it to the Round of 32 in 2024, ultimately falling to Phoenix Rising in extra time.

Tickets start at $18. Buy now.

The 2025 USL League One Season continues on Saturday, April 11 for the Jacks as they host Forward Madison FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CharlotteIndependence.com for ticket information. 

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 all 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 (April 3, 2025) – Charlotte Independence announced today the signing of 23-year-old Colombian forward Juan David Moreno. Moreno last played for Cucuta Deportivo Futbol Club in the second highest division of Colombian soccer in 2024. 

Moreno played 831 total minutes for Cucuta in 2024, scoring one goal in all competitions. Moreno joined Cucuta in 2023 and scored four goals over his two seasons with the club. 

“Juan David is a dynamic, attacking player with the ability to take players on one vs. one and get behind them with his running.  He is comfortable wide on either side and will provide added flair and quality to our attack,” shared Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries.

Prior to joining Cucuta, Moreno spent two seasons with Fortaleza FC in Colombia’s top division. Moreno’s best season as a professional came in 2021, scoring four goals in 12 matches in league play, good for a pace of 194 minutes per goal.

Moreno joined both Fortaleza FC and Cucuta Deportivo while on loan from Millonarios FC’s U-20 team.

The 2025 USL League One Season continues on Friday, April 11 for the Jacks as they host Forward Madison FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 2025 Season Ticket Deposits are available now for just $25 per seat. This year, the club also introduced a new Lil’ Jacks Kids Season Ticket which includes all 17 home games starting at just $100. 

Visit CharlotteIndependence.com/SeasonTickets for more information. 

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 all 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.