#9 Dane Kelly scored the equalizer to keep the Jacks undefeated
CARY, N.C. (April 8, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence drew 1-1 against North Carolina FC in the first match of the inaugural Dogwood Derby on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The Jacks remain undefeated in USL League One play.
“It was a hard night, but they’re a very good side,” Charlotte Independence Head Coach Mike Jeffries said. “It was definitely nice to get the equalizer. We showed a lot of character to get something out of the game.”
In the 4th minute, #56 Gabriel Obertan intercepted an NCFC throw-in and passed to #9 Dane Kelly for a shot from outside the 18-yard box. It curled inwards towards the goal, but missed just over the crossbar.
After a foul by #11 Tresor Mbuyu just outside the box, forcing a free kick, #1 Austin Pack found his first save of the game. He punched a cross from NCFC out of bounds and forced a corner kick. The service, headed away by Mbuyu, kept the match scoreless.
“We can take pride in getting a point on the road in tough conditions against our in-state rivals,” Pack said. “It was another good team performance that we can build on moving forward.”
On the other side of the pitch, Obertan took a free kick from distance. His shot was blocked by North Carolina’s defensive wall.
North Carolina FC continued to press the Jack’s back line. In the 31st minute, a shot from outside the box was deflected by #4 Nick Spielman and fell to the feet of NCFC forward #9 Oalex Anderson. He tapped in the open goal giving North Carolina the 1-0 lead.
The Independence created one more chance before the half. It was #10 Miguel Ibarra who played a pass forward to Kelly. Kelly dribbled between multiple players across the NCFC backline. His cross was deflected, but found its way to the feet of #17 Clay Dimick. Dimick crossed the ball into a contested Mbuyu who put up a strong header that missed just over the crossbar.
At the half, North Carolina FC 1 – Charlotte Independence 0.
To start the second half, Dimick found #8 Joel Johnson on the wing. He played in a quality service which found Kelly who went up for the header right in front of net, but just missed leaving the Jacks down by one.
Minutes later, Obertan led an attack from the wing. He took the shot from distance. The ball was deflected in the direction of Kelly who took one touch to redirect it on frame and into the left side of the net. Kelly earned the equalizer for Charlotte in the 60th minute. The match was tied 1-1.
“It feels good to get my first USL League One goal,” Kelly said. “I’m hoping it’s the first of many. It was a tough night, but we stuck together and battled through to get a point.”
North Carolina FC defender #18 Devin Benton conceded his second yellow card of the match in the 90th minute forcing the home team to play a man down for the remaining five minutes of stoppage time.
Neither team was able to find a breakthrough and the match ended as a draw, North Carolina FC 1 – Charlotte Independence 1.
“We’re going to give the guys a few days off, then push them hard in training before we hit the big stretch,” Jeffries said. “This game, in terms of intensity, had a midseason feel with two teams that are rivals getting after each other.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence return home for a double header home match week. First, the Jacks take on Union Omaha on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Then, the team hosts Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. BOGO tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com.
