April 27, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Charlotte Independence News Release
The Charlotte Independence secured two points in tonight’s USL Jägermeister Cup victory over South Georgia Tormenta FC, after facing a penalty kick shootout for the third time across all competitions in 2024.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Charlotte Independence took their chances early in the match with the first strike coming in the 2nd minute from #11 Tresor Mbuyu. He dribbled into the box, made a couple moves, cut the ball onto his right foot, and struck it low. The shot was saved by Tormenta goalkeeper, #1 Ford Parker.
The Jacks earned the first corner kick of the match in the 7th minute. It was #14 Luis Alvarez who played the service into the near post, finding #29 Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. He got a head to it and placed it across frame and into the back corner of the net. Independence led by one.
Tormenta found more looks towards the end of the first half, including back-to-back corner kicks that were both defended well by the Jacks.
The first half concluded with a low cross by #14 Nicholas Akoto, but it was defender #4 Nick Spielman who tracked back to make the tackle at the near post.
#21 Philip Spengler kicked off the second half with back-to-back strikes for Tormenta. Both shots were saved by a diving #1 Austin Pack of the Independence.
Frenchman, Gabriel Obertan, made his return to the pitch this evening for the first time since the team’s home opener in March. He brought an immediate spark for the Jacks, finding his way into the box, creating space and finding dangerous passes into the final third.
A misclear by #13 Anton Sorenson, conceded the corner kick which resulted in Tormenta’s stoppage time goal which came off the head of #9 Sebastian Vivas.
With a tie after regulation, the USL Jägermeister Cup rules send the match straight to penalty kicks. The Independence faced their third PK shootout of the season, and it was Austin Pack again who came up big at the very end.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Austin Pack improves his penalty kick saves to seven on the season. Six were saved in penalty kick shootouts, one was saved during the run of play.
Tonight’s penalty kick shootout was the third for the Independence across all competitions in 2024. Two previous instances came in the U.S. Open Cup.
Jacks improve to seven unbeaten matches across all competitions.
QUOTES:
Head Coach, Mike Jeffries
Overall thoughts after getting a first look at Tormenta
“I thought we were very solid at the beginning of the…