April 17, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Charlotte Independence News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 with a victory over USL Championship side, Rhode Island FC, in a dramatic penalty shootout on Tuesday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are on the road against Union Omaha on Saturday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m. (ET). The match can be streamed through ESPN+.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The visitors took an early lead with a powerful shot by #28 Conor McGlynn in the 11th minute, but that was certainly not the end of the goals for the night.
#14 Luis Alvarez had multiple chances in the first 25 minutes for the Jacks. His biggest chance came in the 23rd minute off a pass from #11 Tresor Mbuyu inside the penalty area, but a Rhode Island player prevented a shot on goal.
A long ball from #2 Fabrice Ngah to #29 J.C. Obregón Jr. proved to be a game changer as Obregón Jr. was fouled in the penalty area. He scored the ensuing penalty kick to bring the score level in the 26th minute.
On a counterattack, the Jacks took the lead in the 35th minute. A long ball from Alvarez from deep in the Charlotte defensive end found Mbuyu streaming down the field with only one defender trailing him. Mbuyu tapped the ball around the Rhode Island goalkeeper #22 Jackson Lee and calmly slotted a shot in the back of the net.
In first half stoppage time, Rhode Island tied the game with a goal from a narrow angle by #2 Nathan Messer.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 2, Rhode Island FC 2.
Only five minutes into the second half, RIFC retook the lead with a strike into the top right corner of the goal by #12 Clay Holstad.
#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save in the 58th minute using his size to block a close range shot. The defense continued to battle the pressure from the visitors while trying to create some offensive momentum.
A well-executed passing sequence between #2 Fabrice Ngah and Obregón Jr. led Ngah to the endline, but his cross was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick in the 64th minute.
Pressuring the Rhode Island defense paid off in the 72nd minute. Alvarez took the ball off a defender’s foot and took advantage of Lee’s positioning to slot the ball into the far post netting.
Pack put his body in harm’s way again with a diving save inside the six-yard box against a challenging attacker in the 87th minute. He made a pair of quick saves in the 90th minute as Rhode Island continued to pressure…