#6 Junior Etou scored his first goal of the season.
#6 Junior Etou scored his first goal of the season.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 5, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence secured three big points during their home opener tonight defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the Sportsplex at Matthews by a score of 1-0. The Jacks will host again next week when they take on Hartford Athletic. The match is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on Sunday, June 13th at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
It was an early game of possession to start the first half as both teams worked to settle into a rhythm. The Rowdies made the first break at goal with a cross through the six yard box that was blocked by the heel of Independence defender #3 Hugh Roberts. Just minutes later the Jacks bounced back with a shot from #9 Irvin Parra that nicked the post and went wide.
The momentum was building. Parra drew a foul inside the box which led to an Independence penalty kick in the 25th minute. #6 Junior Etou stepped up to take the strike and rattled it in off the right post. Your Jacks took the lead 1-0. Before the end of the half, the Jacks secured another penalty kick after #13 Brandt Bronico was fouled in the box. Parra stepped up to take the kick this time, but it was blocked by Rowdies goalkeeper, #1 Evan Louro. The Independence went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
"I thought we did a good job defensively," stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. "We managed spaces well and limited opportunities for them. We gave away a lot of possession in their half but didn’t give a lot of chances in the final third. I thought the defensive shape and work rate from the guys was exceptional today."
Both teams came out hungry in the second half, and the Jacks defense proved tough to break down after a couple strong chances from the Rowdies attack. In the 71st minute, #33 Brandon Miller came up with a critical save from a Tampa Bay shot near the penalty area.
#29 Dane Kelly took one last crack at goal in the 78th minute with a rocket of a volley that was saved and cleared over the goal by Louro. The Independence secured their third clean sheet of the season, defeating the Atlantic Division’s top contender Tampa Bay Rowdies by a score of 1-0.
“Tonight was a special night," stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. "It was the first home game and it was nice to be back. I thought the guys worked hard and settled into the game after the first 15-20 minutes and we managed it well. I think it was just about us being us. It was an opportunity to get a result and show that we're a good team and that we want to be competing for the playoffs and division."
“I thought we dominated,'' stated Charlotte Independence Defender, #88 Christian Dean. "We knew we deserved to win, and I think we took it to ‘em starting around the 15th minute. We came out a little nervous with it being the first home game, but we all looked at each other after 15 and said ‘we got this’ and definitely won the game pretty easily."
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will be at home again next week to take on Hartford Athletic on Sunday, June 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at the Sportsplex at Matthews. Click here to purchase your tickets.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 5, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence secured three big points during their home opener tonight defeating the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the Sportsplex at Matthews by a score of 1-0. The Jacks will host again next week when they take on Hartford Athletic. The match is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET on Sunday, June 13th at the Sportsplex at Matthews.
It was an early game of possession to start the first half as both teams worked to settle into a rhythm. The Rowdies made the first break at goal with a cross through the six yard box that was blocked by the heel of Independence defender #3 Hugh Roberts. Just minutes later the Jacks bounced back with a shot from #9 Irvin Parra that nicked the post and went wide.
The momentum was building. Parra drew a foul inside the box which led to an Independence penalty kick in the 25th minute. #6 Junior Etou stepped up to take the strike and rattled it in off the right post. Your Jacks took the lead 1-0. Before the end of the half, the Jacks secured another penalty kick after #13 Brandt Bronico was fouled in the box. Parra stepped up to take the kick this time, but it was blocked by Rowdies goalkeeper, #1 Evan Louro. The Independence went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
“I thought we did a good job defensively,” stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “We managed spaces well and limited opportunities for them. We gave away a lot of possession in their half but didn’t give a lot of chances in the final third. I thought the defensive shape and work rate from the guys was exceptional today.”
Both teams came out hungry in the second half, and the Jacks defense proved tough to break down after a couple strong chances from the Rowdies attack. In the 71st minute, #33 Brandon Miller came up with a critical save from a Tampa Bay shot near the penalty area.
#29 Dane Kelly took one last crack at goal in the 78th minute with a rocket of a volley that was saved and cleared over the goal by Louro. The Independence secured their third clean sheet of the season, defeating the Atlantic Division’s top contender Tampa Bay Rowdies by a score of 1-0.
“Tonight was a special night,” stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “It was the first home game and it was nice to be back. I thought the guys worked hard and settled into the game after the first 15-20 minutes and we managed it well. I think it was just about us being us. It was an opportunity to get a result and show that we’re a good team and that we want to be competing for the playoffs and division.”
“I thought we dominated,” stated Charlotte Independence Defender, #88 Christian Dean. “We knew we deserved to win, and I think we took it to ‘em starting around the 15th minute. We came out a little nervous with it being the first home game, but we all looked at each other after 15 and said ‘we got this’ and definitely won the game pretty easily.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will be at home again next week to take on Hartford Athletic on Sunday, June 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET at the Sportsplex at Matthews. Click here to purchase your tickets.
