Goal by Tresor Mbuyu (4’)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (July 22, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence fell 2-1 to Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are at home again on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night. Fans who donate a toy will receive one complimentary ticket.
Head Coach Mike Jeffries provided his overall thoughts after the loss which ended a five-game winning streak at home. “We stopped playing after we got to 1-0. We relaxed, didn’t keep the intensity up, and made really sloppy mistakes. I’m disappointed. I take responsibility for the preparation, and we weren’t ready enough or sharp enough on the night.”
The Jacks started on the front foot with multiple attacking chances in the first two minutes. #8 Joel Johnson was caught offside on the first possession of the game, and #7 Avionne Flanagan sent a shot just wide of the goal in the 2nd minute.
It did not take long for the Independence to score the opening goal through a side volley by #11 Tresor Mbuyu off a long cross by #10 Miguel Ibarra in the 4th minute.
Charlotte continued to pressure the Fuego defense, but suddenly, Central Valley drew level with an intercepted pass along the backline in the 19th minute, scored by #59 Maximus Ekk. Stemming from a throw-in deep in the Independence half, the Fuego took a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute with a close-range shot by #15 Jordan Chavez.
“Sometimes an early goal works against you,” Jeffries said. “Sometimes an early goal makes you relax, and tonight there was no question that we didn’t maintain intensity or play with any urgency after that.”
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 1, Central Valley Fuego FC 2.
Johnson notched the first attempt of the second half for the Jacks with a volley that soared just over the crossbar.
#1 Austin Pack made a crucial save with his leg in the 59th minute on a dangerous shot by the Fuego.
In the 70th minute, substitute #14 Luis Alvarez sprinted down the field on a breakaway one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot was narrowly saved. Mbuyu forced a quick diving save from the Central Valley goalkeeper with a shot at the near post in the 78th minute.
The Independence continued attacking against a packed Fuego defense, but all of the chances fell just short.
“Maybe it was the movement or the ball circulation, but I don’t think we were clicking to our best ability,” #12 Brad Dunwell commented.
Full time: Charlotte Independence 1, Central Valley Fuego FC 2.
“Sometimes things don’t go the way we wanted or what we planned,” Mbuyu shared. “It’s part of the game; sometimes you lose and you learn from it.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will face Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC on Saturday, July 29 at American Legion Memorial Stadium for Childhood Cancer Awareness Night presented by Novant Health. First kick is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans who donate a toy will receive one complimentary ticket.
