Goals scored by #29 Dane Kelly, #8 Marcelo Palomino and #10 Valentin Sabella.
Goals scored by #29 Dane Kelly, #8 Marcelo Palomino and #10 Valentin Sabella.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 13, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence knocked off undefeated Hartford Athletic tonight by a score of 3-2 in a second half showdown at the Sportsplex at Matthews. The Jacks face a quick turnaround and will travel to New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 16. The match will take place at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET). Watch live on ESPN+.
Momentum for the Independence started in the 18th minute when #17 Clay Dimick dribbled down the sideline, drew a couple defenders and was fouled in the box. #9 Irvin Parra stepped up to take the penalty kick. His strike went low and left, but was saved by Hartford Goalkeeper, #13 Jeff Caldwell. Both defensive sides battled to keep the score tied at 0-0 going into halftime.
The Jacks started the second half with a substitution bringing in #29 Dane Kelly for Parra. Hartford Athletic went up 1-0 in the 51st minute off a goal from #10 Danny Barrera. The Independence turned to their bench again, brought on #10 Valentin Sabella and #21 Noah Paravicini, and then the flood gates opened.
In the 73rd minute, Kelly found possession. He took on several defenders before finding just enough space to put a strike on goal. The ball found the back of the net and the Jacks tied things up 1-1.
"My only thought was to come on, score, and get the three points and that’s what we did," stated Kelly. "Jake played a decent ball to me and I spin, fake once, fake again, and then I shoot. It went inside, and I can’t ask for a better goal than that."
Hartford’s leading scorer #23 Preston Tabort Etaka didn’t waste much time before scoring another goal in the 74th minute. Hartford took the lead again 2-1, but your Jacks weren’t going down without a fight. In the 80th minute, Palomino found the ball at his feet after a short clearance from Hartford and took advantage with a low shot on frame. The ball deflected past Caldwell and your Jacks were tied again, 2-2.
Sabella, in his first game of the season, also secured his first goal with a massive strike from distance in the 83rd minute. The game-winning shot flew into the upper 90 and locked in another big three points at home for the Jacks.
“I knew as soon as I got played out wide I was 1 on 1,” stated Sabella. “In past years I probably would’ve held it up and looked for a pass or something like that, but I was confident I could get it done."
"It was a really interesting night," stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. "In the second half Hartford shifted formation and went at us, caused us a little bit of trouble, and got the first goal. From there the game became wide open, we had to push for an equalizer. Not only did we get that equalizer, but then we managed their transition. I thought the guys showed a lot of courage and heart to come back from that situation, not only to get the equalizer but to find a way to win."
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will travel to MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey to face New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET). Watch live on ESPN+.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 13, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence knocked off undefeated Hartford Athletic tonight by a score of 3-2 in a second half showdown at the Sportsplex at Matthews. The Jacks face a quick turnaround and will travel to New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 16. The match will take place at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET). Watch live on ESPN+.
Momentum for the Independence started in the 18th minute when #17 Clay Dimick dribbled down the sideline, drew a couple defenders and was fouled in the box. #9 Irvin Parra stepped up to take the penalty kick. His strike went low and left, but was saved by Hartford Goalkeeper, #13 Jeff Caldwell. Both defensive sides battled to keep the score tied at 0-0 going into halftime.
The Jacks started the second half with a substitution bringing in #29 Dane Kelly for Parra. Hartford Athletic went up 1-0 in the 51st minute off a goal from #10 Danny Barrera. The Independence turned to their bench again, brought on #10 Valentin Sabella and #21 Noah Paravicini, and then the flood gates opened.
In the 73rd minute, Kelly found possession. He took on several defenders before finding just enough space to put a strike on goal. The ball found the back of the net and the Jacks tied things up 1-1.
“My only thought was to come on, score, and get the three points and that’s what we did,” stated Kelly. “Jake played a decent ball to me and I spin, fake once, fake again, and then I shoot. It went inside, and I can’t ask for a better goal than that.”
Hartford’s leading scorer #23 Preston Tabort Etaka didn’t waste much time before scoring another goal in the 74th minute. Hartford took the lead again 2-1, but your Jacks weren’t going down without a fight. In the 80th minute, Palomino found the ball at his feet after a short clearance from Hartford and took advantage with a low shot on frame. The ball deflected past Caldwell and your Jacks were tied again, 2-2.
Sabella, in his first game of the season, also secured his first goal with a massive strike from distance in the 83rd minute. The game-winning shot flew into the upper 90 and locked in another big three points at home for the Jacks.
“I knew as soon as I got played out wide I was 1 on 1,” stated Sabella. “In past years I probably would’ve held it up and looked for a pass or something like that, but I was confident I could get it done.”
“It was a really interesting night,” stated Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “In the second half Hartford shifted formation and went at us, caused us a little bit of trouble, and got the first goal. From there the game became wide open, we had to push for an equalizer. Not only did we get that equalizer, but then we managed their transition. I thought the guys showed a lot of courage and heart to come back from that situation, not only to get the equalizer but to find a way to win.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will travel to MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, New Jersey to face New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET). Watch live on ESPN+.
