Jacks’ Last Regular Season Road Trip Ends in 1-0 Loss at Greenville Triumph SC
October 8, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Charlotte Independence News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Charlotte Independence dropped their final road match of the regular season Saturday night against Greenville Triumph SC. The Jacks return home to American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 15 for Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The club hosts North Carolina FC and first kick is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com.
“We have to put this one behind us right away and get focused for a must-win game at home against NCFC,” defender Clay Dimick said.
It wasn’t until the 25th minute of play when the match started to pick up for both teams. First it was Greenville who sent a cross into the box from the right wing. The service slipped through the hands of goalkeeper #30 Adrian Zendejas and bounced in front of goal. Defender #2 Koa Santos was covering on the back post to shield off a Triumph attacker.
The Jacks went on the attack at the other end in the 26th minute. #17 Clay Dimick played a service onto the head of #90 Khori Bennett. His re-direction was blocked by the Greenville defender and the second ball fell into the path of #19 Quinn McNeill. His strike was on target but blocked by the keeper.
“Greenville defended well, they defended in numbers,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. “They had good intensity, and we weren’t able to play behind them as often as we would like. They shut down the service in the final third and we couldn’t find a way through.”
Greenville earned the first corner kick of the evening in the 31st minute of the match. The service found a header on the back post. Zendejas got a hand on it and had help from his defenders Acosta and Dimick to make the final clearance.
Charlotte finished the half first with a through ball to Santos who cut a pass back to #13 Chris Hegardt for the shot. It took a deflection through the box, but no one was able to collect the second ball.
The Jacks first corner kick of the game came in the 43rd minute after a shot from #56 Gabriel Obertan was deflected out of play. Santos took the kick, the Jacks got a head on it, but it was ultimately cleared up and away by the Triumph.
Halftime: Greenville Triumph SC 0 – Charlotte Independence 0
Obertan gave the Jacks their first look on goal in the second half after turning his defender in the midfield. After a couple touches to create space, he whipped a shot from distance in the 51st minute, but it slid wide and away from the target.
“I don’t think we found the right key passes to create enough chances. It was always going to be a tight game with a few half-chances,” Jeffries said. “Unfortunately, maybe we had a couple in the first half we could have taken better and in the second half, I don’t think we were able to break them down as much.”
About ten minutes later, Greenville opted for short passes and combination play through midfield but a final heavy touch from the Triumph rolled the ball right into the hands of Zendejas.
Bennett went on a solo effort down the pitch in the 67th minute. He placed a shot on target forcing Greenville goalkeeper #30 Paul Christensen to make a diving save. He was unable to hold onto it and the Jacks earned a corner kick.
The Greenville goal came in the 79th minute. It was #11 Jesus Ibarra who played the cross into the box finding #18 Jacob Labovitz for the header into the back of the net.
Charlotte’s final look of the night came in stoppage time. A cross came in from the right wing and found the foot of #18 Illia Shevtsov. He was able to redirect the ball towards the goal, but the attempt missed just wide.
“We hope to have all of our fans there and supporting us as we push to clinch playoffs,” defender Shalom Dutey said.
Final Score: Greenville Triumph SC 1 – Charlotte Independence 0
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence return home for their final regular season home match next Saturday, October 15 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks take on North Carolina FC and first kick is set for 7:00 p.m. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com.
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