Goal scored by #9 Irvin Parra (81’). Assist by #10 Valentin Sabella.
Goal scored by #9 Irvin Parra (81’). Assist by #10 Valentin Sabella.
CHARLOTTE, NC (September 18, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence earned their third straight shutout tonight after a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tonight, the club also paid tribute to the Carolina Lightnin’ and their 1981 ASL Championship which took place at American Legion Memorial Stadium exactly 40 years ago. The Independence have a quick turnaround, and are back at home this Wednesday, September 22 against The Miami FC. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.
“It was really nice seeing the group together up in the stands in the light blue color,” stated Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries about the 40th Anniversary Celebration. “I thought it was really special. The guys enjoyed wearing the uniforms and coming out and being a part of it. I thought it was a good event. Hopefully, the Lightnin’ people that came into Charlotte for the weekend enjoyed it, and I hope that we could make it special for them.”
The first half of the match was tightly contested and chances for both teams came often. The Jacks opened the game up with a few early looks at goal. In the 3rd minute, #7 Joel Johnson had a huge cross into the box which found #56 Sylvain Marveaux, but his shot missed just left.
Just minutes later, #19 Enzo Martinez received a ball inside the box with little pressure around. His shot missed left, but the persistent pressure continued for the Jacks as they looked very threatening in front of goal.
In the 17th minute, #12 Adam Armour sent a perfect pass into the box for Marveaux who took the left-footed shot and sent it just wide. Then, #32 Gabriel Obertan found himself in the box with minimal pressure. His shot was tipped over the net by the Riverhounds goalkeeper, #1 Danny Vitiello.
In the 33rd minute, #1 Austin Pack made a huge save off a Pittsburgh corner kick to keep the score tied 0-0 going into halftime.
The second half led to more back and forth action between the two sides. In the 49th minute, Pittsburgh saw an open net opportunity when Pack found himself off his line after making a previous save. Johnson, his defender, came in and made the clearance for the Independence.
“We had a game plan, break them down. We had chances in the first half that we did not execute. We have to finish them. Normally if we finish those chances that we have, the clear chances, we are all over them,” stated #9 Irvin Parra. “Personally, I did not find it tough. It was just finding the right moment and time for a goal. We were never scared of Pittsburgh. They are just Pittsburgh. We are Charlotte. We are a powerhouse team and the league should know that. We are coming, and we won’t take anything lightly.”
In the 62nd minute, Marveaux found another opportunity in front of the net and tried to chip it over the keeper, but it wound up soaring a touch too high over the crossbar.
The Jacks lone goal of the night came in the 81st minute when #10 Valentin Sabella slotted a ball between two Riverhounds defenders and found Parra on the run. Parra collected the pass and took a low strike, slipping it past the diving Vitiello.
The Independence concluded the night with a 1-0 win over the Riverhounds and a fourth clean sheet for Pack and Jacks’ back line.
“This is a big win for us,” stated Jeffries. “Pittsburgh is clearly top 2 in the conference and has been a top team all year. We have matched up in different ways against them. So, I think it’s a big win. They are always very organized, disciplined and well coached. For us, it is important to continue to move up the table and do what we can. We are getting into a super busy stretch, so it’s nice to start that with 3 points.”
NEXT ON SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence play host to Miami FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, September 22. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM. Click here to buy tickets.
CHARLOTTE, NC (September 18, 2021) – The Charlotte Independence earned their third straight shutout tonight after a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tonight, the club also paid tribute to the Carolina Lightnin’ and their 1981 ASL Championship which took place at American Legion Memorial Stadium exactly 40 years ago. The Independence have a quick turnaround, and are back at home this Wednesday, September 22 against The Miami FC. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM. Click here to purchase tickets.
“It was really nice seeing the group together up in the stands in the light blue color,” stated Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries about the 40th Anniversary Celebration. “I thought it was really special. The guys enjoyed wearing the uniforms and coming out and being a part of it. I thought it was a good event. Hopefully, the Lightnin’ people that came into Charlotte for the weekend enjoyed it, and I hope that we could make it special for them.”
The first half of the match was tightly contested and chances for both teams came often. The Jacks opened the game up with a few early looks at goal. In the 3rd minute, #7 Joel Johnson had a huge cross into the box which found #56 Sylvain Marveaux, but his shot missed just left.
Just minutes later, #19 Enzo Martinez received a ball inside the box with little pressure around. His shot missed left, but the persistent pressure continued for the Jacks as they looked very threatening in front of goal.
In the 17th minute, #12 Adam Armour sent a perfect pass into the box for Marveaux who took the left-footed shot and sent it just wide. Then, #32 Gabriel Obertan found himself in the box with minimal pressure. His shot was tipped over the net by the Riverhounds goalkeeper, #1 Danny Vitiello.
In the 33rd minute, #1 Austin Pack made a huge save off a Pittsburgh corner kick to keep the score tied 0-0 going into halftime.
The second half led to more back and forth action between the two sides. In the 49th minute, Pittsburgh saw an open net opportunity when Pack found himself off his line after making a previous save. Johnson, his defender, came in and made the clearance for the Independence.
“We had a game plan, break them down. We had chances in the first half that we did not execute. We have to finish them. Normally if we finish those chances that we have, the clear chances, we are all over them,” stated #9 Irvin Parra. “Personally, I did not find it tough. It was just finding the right moment and time for a goal. We were never scared of Pittsburgh. They are just Pittsburgh. We are Charlotte. We are a powerhouse team and the league should know that. We are coming, and we won’t take anything lightly.”
In the 62nd minute, Marveaux found another opportunity in front of the net and tried to chip it over the keeper, but it wound up soaring a touch too high over the crossbar.
The Jacks lone goal of the night came in the 81st minute when #10 Valentin Sabella slotted a ball between two Riverhounds defenders and found Parra on the run. Parra collected the pass and took a low strike, slipping it past the diving Vitiello.
The Independence concluded the night with a 1-0 win over the Riverhounds and a fourth clean sheet for Pack and Jacks’ back line.
“This is a big win for us,” stated Jeffries. “Pittsburgh is clearly top 2 in the conference and has been a top team all year. We have matched up in different ways against them. So, I think it’s a big win. They are always very organized, disciplined and well coached. For us, it is important to continue to move up the table and do what we can. We are getting into a super busy stretch, so it’s nice to start that with 3 points.”
NEXT ON SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence play host to Miami FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Wednesday, September 22. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM. Click here to buy tickets.
