Goal by #17 Clay Dimick (75’)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 16, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence opened the 2024 campaign on Saturday evening at home against One Knoxville SC, falling 1-2 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks are on the road next to face Vereinigung Erzgebirge in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After much of the first 15 minutes was played in the middle third of the pitch, the Jacks had back-to-back chances in the 17th minute. #14 Luis Alvarez curled a free kick into the penalty area, and a clearing header found #11 Tresor Mbuyu whose shot was blocked. The rebound found #27 Bachir Ndiaye who volleyed an attempt towards goal which was saved.
On the other end of the pitch, #1 Austin Pack blocked a One Knox shot on the endline with a kick save in the 26th minute.
Quick passing earned another dangerous chance for the Independence in the 35th minute, but #56 Gabriel Obertan’s shot was deflected out of bounds for a corner kick.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, One Knoxville SC 0
With only their second shot on target all night, One Knox took the lead in the 51st minute with a tight-angle shot by #11 Frank Ross.
Alvarez logged his first shot of the night in the 63rd minute with a curling effort which deflected off a defender, causing a spill by goalkeeper #1 Sean Lewis, but it was quickly cleared away by the visitors. Only two minutes later, #9 Kharlton Belmar launched a powerful shot which sailed just high of the goal.
Making a momentous occasion even more special, #17 Clay Dimick scored in the 75th minute to tie the game. Alvarez served a corner kick into the penalty area, and #3 Hugh Roberts II headed the ball towards goal. In the middle of the scramble, Dimick slotted the rebound in the back of the net.
Not long after, One Knox retook the lead with a goal by #8 Angelo Kelly Rosales in the 78th minute.
Fulltime: Charlotte Independence 1, One Knoxville SC 2.
NOTABLES:
- The Charlotte Independence hosted a 10th Anniversary Kickoff as the club celebrates a decade of professional soccer in the Queen City.
- 10 of the 11 players who started for the Independence were part of the 2023 squad. The only player who was not a returner from 2023 was Hugh Roberts II who previously played for Charlotte from 2019-21.
- #17 Clay Dimick made his first appearance back from injury as the first professional athlete to return to play following a two-level cervical artificial disc replacement.
- Two players made their professional debuts: #24 Denzel Akyeampong and #47 Isaac Scheer.
- Four players made their first appearances for the Independence: #9 Kharlton Belmar, #13 Anton Sorenson, Akyeampong, and Scheer.
- Scheer is the seventh-youngest player to appear in a league game for the Independence at 18 years, 7 months and 23 days.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Mike Jeffries
On returning many players from last season’s squad
“It certainly brings some consistency in how we want to play, and the guys know each other which is a big plus that they know each other’s movements and habits. Every year is a new year, so it still always takes a certain amount of time for teams to gel and come together, and we’re still learning things for this year and trying to be better every day.”
On multiple players making their professional debuts tonight
“We have an interesting mix with the number of veterans and the very young players. I thought that Denzel and Isaac when they came on they looked the part, fit in, and certainly kept the level up, so credit to those guys. They’ve trained really well and shown in training day in and day out that they can impact the game.”
On the club’s 10th Anniversary celebration
“It’s great, and it was fantastic seeing some of the guys from the past. I really enjoyed that. There have been so many great memories and so many great people that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with, and it’s a good reminder seeing those guys of the time I’ve been here. It does mean a lot, and I’m fortunate to have been a part of the club for as long as I have.”
Defender #17 Clay Dimick
On scoring in his return from injury
“It’s tough because obviously we wanted to get a result out of tonight, so it kind of takes some away from the goal. Like I said, every game, every season, I just want to do what I can to help the team win. I feel like that’s what a captain does, and tonight it was scoring a goal. Ultimately we didn’t get the points, so it’s frustrating.”
On the team maintaining defensive composure after scoring a goal
“It’s early in the season so we’re going to learn from these experiences. I think just moving on, and just building on what’s going to happen next and focusing on that. I think we have a lot to learn, but we’re an experienced group and we’ll be back quickly.”
Defender #13 Anton Sorenson
On making his first appearance for the Independence
“It’s awesome. I’m super happy, and I can’t wait to get back out there with the guys. It’s unlucky that we didn’t get the win, but it was good to be out there.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will compete in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Vereinigung Erzgebirge in Pennsylvania. The match can be streamed at USLSoccer.com.
