#1 Austin Pack records 9 saves on the night
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 19, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence remain unbeaten following a 0-0 against Union Omaha Wednesday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Next, the Jacks are back at home as they play host to Central Valley Fuego FC for the first time this 2023 USL League One Season. The match kicks off on Saturday, April 22 at American Legion Memorial Stadium at 2:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com.
“It was a hard game. It’s crazy that it ended 0-0, but that’s because of a couple big saves from Austin,” Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries said. “The first half was pretty compact, but the second half was wide open, but we just couldn’t get the goal.”
Union Omaha put the pressure on the Independence back line early with multiple chances in the attack. The Owls were awarded a corner kick. Their cross into the 18-yard box was headed away by Charlotte Captain #17 Clay Dimick.
“We defended pretty well for the most part, they had a couple pretty good chances but a shutout is another bonus,” Dimick said. “We need to be a little bit cleaner in the box and get a goal.”
On the other side of the pitch, Charlotte went on the counter with #10 Miguel Ibarra dashing through Omaha’s defense. Ibarra then found #56 Gabriel Obertan on the far side of the pitch. Obertan drove into the 18-yard box and shot at goal but was intercepted by Omaha’s Goalkeeper #24 Rashid Nuhu.
Later in the match, #11 Tresor Mbuyu played a quality service across the 18-yard box to find Dimick with a shot at goal, but it was saved by Nuhu.
In the 40th minute, #9 Dane Kelly attacked from the wing and found an open Obertan in the 18-yard box. His shot missed high over the crossbar to keep the score level.
At the half, Charlotte Independence 0 – Union Omaha 0.
Union Omaha, again, went after Charlotte with a high press to start the half. The Owls managed their way through midfield and found an open look at goal. Their shot was denied by Independence goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack. On the rebound, an Omaha player tapped the ball towards goal and Pack again got a finger to it to push the ball wide.
Just minutes later Union Omaha found another opening at the top of the 18-yard box. They took the shot, but Pack was there again to collect it. He recorded 9 saves on the night and now leads the league in saves for the 2023 season.
“I was happy to make some saves,” Pack said. “The guys in defense worked hard, and Union Omaha is one of the top teams in the league. So, to get a point off of them is something we can be proud of and we’ll work on building with the guys and get ready for Saturday.”
Jeffries went to his bench for the first time in the 60th minute bringing on midfielder #12 Brad Dunwell and forward #90 Khori Bennett to replace forward #11 Tresor Mbuyu and midfielder #10 Miguel Ibarra. Bennett and Dunwell both came in with energy providing a spark for the Jacks on offense.
In the 77th minute, #2 Fabrice Ngah attacked down the wing and laid the ball off to Kelly who was running with him. Kelly crossed into the 18-yard box and found #14 Luis Alvarez. He took the shot, but it was blocked by an Omaha defender.
A few minutes later, Alvarez again found success getting in behind the Omaha defense. He played a quality pass to #7 Avionne Flanagan in the 18-yard box. Flanagan took a promising strike at goal, but it sailed just wide.
Neither side could find the back of the net, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
“It’s a tough turnaround, five games in 15 days with our normal league play and also the Open Cup in the middle,” Jeffries said. “The guys have trained for it and know what is ahead of them so we’ll recover and get ready for Saturday.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence are back at home this Saturday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. taking on Central Valley Fuego FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tickets are now on sale at charlotteindependence.com.
