Jacks beat South Carolina United Heat in a penalty shootout
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 2, 2024) – The Charlotte Independence secured its spot in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a win over South Carolina United Heat on Tuesday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The Jacks won in a penalty shootout thanks to a pair of saves by Goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Jacks exhibited most of the offensive pressure in the first 20 minutes of the game. One of the most dangerous chances came in the 20th minute as #29 Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. lobbed the ball into the penalty area for #8 Joel Johnson who could not get a shot on target.
Defending the Charlotte net, Pack made a huge kick save in the 39th minute after the Heat took a quick free kick on a counter attack.
Another good opportunity for the Independence came in the 45th minute as a first-touch cross by #13 Anton Sorenson found #14 Luis Alvarez at the top of the penalty area. His pass to Obregón Jr. was too heavy for anything to materialize.
Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, South Carolina United Heat 0.
The closest chance of the night was by #11 Tresor Mbuyu in the 73rd minute. The striker unleashed a shot from the edge of the penalty that rattled off the crossbar. Not long after in the 75th minute, Obregón Jr. got a head on a free kick from Alvarez, but his attempt landed wide.
Mbuyu recorded another dangerous attempt in the 81st minute trying to finish a cross sent in from Obregón Jr.
As regulation neared an end, Pack made a huge diving save on a breakaway by the Heat through the center of the penalty area.
End of Regulation: Charlotte Independence 0, South Carolina United Heat 0.
The first chance of extra time was a shot by Alvarez following a pass from #27 Bachir Ndiaye in the 94th minute. The Heat goalkeeper bobbled the ball but was able to recover the rebound.
In the 111th minute, Alvarez missed a wide open shot off a pass from Obregón Jr. after he received a cross from #24 Denzel Akyeampong. The final chance of the night was a blocked shot by Mbuyu following a pass from #47 Isaac Scheer.
End of Extra Time: Charlotte Independence 0, South Carolina United Heat 0.
Pack made contact with the first penalty kick from the Heat, but he could not steer it wide. The first penalty kick for the Independence was missed. Defender #4 Nick Spielman scored his shot.
On the third kick for the Heat, Pack made a commanding save to keep the Independence close. Alvarez tied the shootout score with a powerful shot into the top netting. Up next for the Independence was #9 Kharlton Belmar who slotted his shot calmly.
A huge save by Pack on the Heat’s fifth penalty kick set up the Independence for the win. #2 Fabrice Ngah scored the winning shot to send Charlotte into the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Final: Charlotte Independence 1 (4), South Carolina United Heat 0 (3).
QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Jeffries
On South Carolina United Heat’s performance
“It was a hard night. They gave us a very good game. They were super organized. We were prepared in terms of what we expected from them, but I don’t think we were strong enough mentally going into the game. I thought we were casual with the first half, not sharp, let the game drift, and played at their tempo too much.”
On Austin Pack’s performance
“Obviously, Austin came up big, both in the run of play and at the end.”
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence are back at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. against Greenville Triumph SC. To purchase tickets for the club’s first-ever Pups at the Pitch Night presented by Social Pet Hotel & Daycare, visit charlotteindependence.com.
