March 16, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence opened the 2024 campaign on Saturday evening at home against One Knoxville SC, falling 1-2 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are on the road next to face Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After much of the first 15 minutes was played in the middle third of the pitch, the Jacks had back-to-back chances in the 17th minute. #14 Luis Alvarez curled a free kick into the penalty area, and a clearing header found #11 Tresor Mbuyu whose shot was blocked. The rebound found #27 Bachir Ndiaye who volleyed an attempt towards goal which was saved.
On the other end of the pitch, #1 Austin Pack blocked a One Knox shot on the endline with a kick save in the 26th minute.
Quick passing earned another dangerous chance for the Independence in the 35th minute, but #56 Gabriel Obertan’s shot was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, One Knoxville SC 0
With only their second shot on target all night, One Knox took the lead in the 51st minute with a tight angle shot by #11 Frank Ross.
Alvarez logged his first shot of the night in the 63rd minute with a curling effort which deflected off a defender, causing a spill by goalkeeper #1 Sean Lewis, but it was quickly cleared away by the visitors. Only two minutes later, #9 Kharlton Belmar launched a powerful shot which sailed just high of the goal.
Making a momentous occasion even more special, #17 Clay Dimick scored in the 75th minute to tie the game. Alvarez served a corner kick into the penalty area, and #3 Hugh Roberts II headed the ball towards goal. In the middle of the scramble, Dimick slotted the rebound in the back of the net.
Not long after, One Knox retook the lead with a goal by #8 Angelo Kelly Rosales in the 78th minute.
Fulltime: Charlotte Independence 1, One Knoxville SC 2.
NOTABLES:
The Charlotte Independence hosted a 10th Anniversary Kickoff as the club celebrates a decade of professional soccer in the Queen City.
10 of the 11 players who started for the Independence were part of the 2023 squad. The only player who was not a returner from 2023 was Hugh Roberts II who previously played for Charlotte from 2019-21.
#17 Clay Dimick made his first appearance back from injury as the first professional athlete to return to play following a two-level cervical…
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