September 9, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence rose to victory on Friday night defeating top-ranked Greenville Triumph SC by a score of 2-1 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks have one away match before returning home to the Queen City on Saturday, September 24 for Latin Heritage Night presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
“Everyone is super happy about this win. It’s a big one for us,” forward Illia Shevtsov said. “We knew coming into this game we needed the three points to push toward the playoffs. Greenville is a good team, they’ve been doing well this year, but we as a group believe that we have the quality – it’s just a mentality thing. Everyone showed up today, was in-tune and the result speaks for itself.”
Charlotte’s #24 Grayson Barber applied early pressure to Greenville’s back line after taking his dribble down the line and playing a low cross into the box. The service deflected off a Greenville defender and #90 Khori Bennett slid in to take possession. He laid it back off to Barber who sent another cross to the back post looking for #11 Tresor Mbuyu, but it was just a bit out of reach.
#6 Omar Ciss intercepted a pass in midfield in the 12th minute of play which transitioned the Jacks into the attack. After dodging a couple defenders it was Ciss who took the shot that barreled off the post. Barber collected the rebound and his shot was deflected out of play.
Barber created the Jacks first scoring opportunity after splitting two defenders on the dribble and drawing a penalty kick inside the box. It was Bennett who stepped up to take the kick and confidently placed the strike into the lower left corner of the net.
“A penalty is always a lot of pressure. It might seem simple, 12 yards out, but it’s a lot of pressure,” Bennett said. “But, I have a lot of confidence in myself, and I knew exactly what I was going to do before I stepped up.”
At the half, Charlotte led by one.
Just five minutes into the second half, Greenville equalized after a cross into the box caused chaos for the Jacks back line. #15 Brandon Ficke came up with it, dragging the ball through Charlotte’s defense and into the back of the net.
“We knew this was a big game for us coming in given where we are in the standings and at home,” Jeffries said. “I thought the guys played with a lot of discipline and a lot of character and a lot of fight, especially after conceding…