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2023 USL League One Finalists Search for Local Talent

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 29, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence men’s professional soccer team announced today the Open Trial dates for the 2024 USL League One season. The trial is a two-day event which runs from Thursday, January 25, 2024 to Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews. The cost to register is $150. Interested players can register online at charlotteindependence.com.

“I am looking forward to building the roster for the 2024 season,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “The open trial allows us an opportunity to evaluate players we may not otherwise see play as we look to find players who can contribute to our roster while they develop their careers.”

Open Trial Schedule:

Thursday, January 25

• 9:00 a.m. – Check In
• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Session 1
• 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Session 2

Friday, January 26

• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Session 3

The Charlotte Independence recorded the best season in club history in 2023, reaching the league final for the first time in its nine-year existence. The club finished fourth in the regular season standings with a 13-10-9 overall record and posted 10 wins at home.

2024 marks the 10-Year Anniversary of the Charlotte Independence as the club celebrates its rich history and sets a new course for unmatched soccer experiences at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 

The 2024 Home Opener is set to kick off on Saturday, March 16 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Season Ticket Packages are on sale now with new, premium benefits. Browse all pricing and seat options at charlotteindependence.com/seasontickets.

ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:

The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and plays all home games at the newly renovated American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit charlotteindependence.com.

Historic match up kicks off the club’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 17, 2023) – USL League One and the Charlotte Independence announced today the date for the club’s 2024 Home Opener. The Jacks will face One Knoxville SC on Saturday, March 16 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff times and the full 2024 USL League One Schedule will be announced at a later date.

“I am looking forward to the start of our 2024 season and am delighted to open at home in front of our supporters,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “Their energy and enthusiasm provides a great boost for our team, and I will enjoy reuniting with them on March 16.”

Fans can sign up to receive an exclusive presale opportunity with access to purchase home opener tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Fill out the form here.

The Jacks concluded the 2023 season as USL League One Finalists, the best finish in club history. Charlotte earned 11 league wins at American Legion Memorial Stadium last season, demonstrating the value of home field advantage.

2024 marks One Knoxville’s second year in USL League One. One Knox is the only club the Independence did not record a win against in the previous season. The third and final meeting between the clubs in 2023 was the clinching moment for the Jacks to secure their spot in the USL League One Playoffs.

The 2024 Home Opener kicks off the Charlotte Independence’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. The historic season will honor the club’s rich history and set a new course for unmatched soccer experiences at American Legion Memorial Stadium. 

A 10th Anniversary Jersey and Commemorative Scarf are included for Premium Season Ticket Members. 2024 Season Tickets are on sale now and start at $5 per game. 

Visit charlotteindependence.com/seasontickets/ to view all Season Ticket Member packages, pricing and benefits. 

ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:
The Charlotte Independence is a professional men’s soccer team committed to making Charlotte a better place to live through sports. The team is based in Charlotte, N.C. and competes in USL League One. All home games are played at American Legion Memorial Stadium. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy founded the club in September 2014 after acquiring the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. For more information, visit charlotteindependence.com or follow the club on social media via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Pack set new league record for saves in a single season (129)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 7, 2023) – USL League One and the Charlotte Independence today announced that Austin Pack has been named the 2023 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year. He was nominated for the award, after breaking multiple league records this season for the Jacks.

Three finalists for Goalkeeper of the Year were chosen based on a vote by the league’s coaches. Pack received the most votes, winning the award. 

“I am overjoyed for Austin,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries expressed. “Throughout his career, he has overcome many challenges and obstacles, and for him to have the season he has had is a credit to his resilience, tenacity, and mentality. Though his performance is measured in his being at the top of the goalkeeping statistical categories, his value to the team is far greater than the numbers – winning points or keeping us from dropping points with incredible saves; providing leadership and organization to a young back line, and being a positive locker room influence.”

This season, Pack shattered the USL League One record for most saves in a single season with 129. The previous record of 105 was set by Akira Fitzgerald playing for the Richmond Kickers in the 2022/23 season. Pack and Akira are the only goalkeepers in league history to eclipse 100 saves. 

In the Independence’s semifinal match against Union Omaha, Pack tied a league record for most saves in USL League One Playoffs history with seven stops. Pack’s excellent performance to protect the clean sheet earned him the Player of the Match honor from the league. 

“I’m thankful for my teammates and coaches for instilling confidence in me all year,” Pack said. “I’m proud to have been able to contribute to this club. I’m also thankful for the club owners and their support.”

The USL League One All-League Teams were announced last week, and Pack earned the goalkeeper slot on the All-League First Team. Teammates Joel Johnson and Omar Ciss were named to the All-League Second Team. Ciss is a finalist for the 2023 USL League One Young Player of the Year Award which will be announced later this week. 

ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:
The Charlotte Independence is a professional men’s soccer team committed to making Charlotte a better place to live through sports. The team is based in Charlotte, N.C. and competes in USL League One. All home games are played at American Legion Memorial Stadium. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy founded the club in September 2014 after acquiring the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. For more information, visit charlotteindependence.com or follow the club on social media via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Multiplatform Deal Includes 100 Matches Annually Through 2027 USL Championship and USL League One Seasons

Matches to Air Across CBS Television Network and Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network

TAMPA, Fla., and NEW YORK (November 7, 2023) — The United Soccer League (USL) and CBS Sports today announced a landmark multi-year rights agreement for CBS Sports to air 100 USL matches annually through the 2027 USL Championship and USL League One seasons. CBS Sports’ extensive multiplatform USL match coverage will air across the CBS Television Network and Paramount+, CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Through the deal, CBS Sports will broadcast select USL matches, including the USL Championship Final, on the CBS Television Network– the first time USL competition will be featured on network television in league history. Matches on the CBS Television Network will also simulcast live on Paramount+. CBS Sports will also televise more than 20 USL matches on CBS Sports Network annually and 75 USL matches each season on CBS Sports Golazo Network, the 24/7 soccer streaming network available across multiple platforms, including Paramount+.

“CBS Sports has become a destination for soccer fans in America, and we are thrilled to bring to their platforms the unique soccer experience that only the USL provides,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “This partnership is a clear indication of the USL’s growth and impact on domestic soccer, providing us with more national TV exposure and platforms to tell stories about our players, clubs, and fans than ever before. We are entering a new, exciting phase, both on and off the field, and we look forward to working with CBS Sports over the next four years to take our leagues and our game to new heights.”

“The United Soccer League – with its expansive and growing presence across the country – is an excellent addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We look forward to making the exciting action of the USL more easily available to fans than ever before and elevating the league with coverage across our CBS Sports platforms. With the USL’s addition to our wide array of soccer properties and robust year-round match coverage, CBS Sports continues to be the premier destination for soccer fans in this country.”

In addition to live matches, CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide analysis and commentary of USL competition throughout its live studio programming, including MORNING FOOTY, BOX 2 BOX and SCORELINE. The first-of-its-kind free, 24-hour soccer streaming network in the U.S. offers fans unparalleled coverage of all the top domestic and international soccer competitions. The Network is available on connected TV and mobile devices through Paramount+, the CBS Sports App and Pluto TV, and on CBSSports.com.

CBS Sports will also provide additional editorial coverage of the USL on CBSSports.com, the Golazo Starting XI newsletter and across its @CBSSportsGolazo social accounts.

The USL retained internationally recognized media sales consultancy Octagon to manage the negotiations with CBS on this watershed agreement.

The United Soccer League is the longest-running professional soccer organization in the United States, originally founded in 1991. The USL Championship and USL League One are the highest men’s professional tiers in the USL ecosystem. In 2024, with the addition of Rhode Island FC and North Carolina FC, 25 teams will compete in the USL Championship. USL League One will see 12 teams in 2024, including its newest club Spokane Velocity.

CBS Sports’ extensive soccer portfolio features more than 2,500 live matches per year across its various platforms including the United Soccer League; UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Youth League; UEFA Women’s Champions League; NWSL; Barclay’s Women’s Super League; the Women’s Cup; Concacaf national team competitions (Men’s Nations League and Women’s Gold Cup); Italy’s Serie A; Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol; Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileirão Série A; the Scottish Professional Football League; Asian Football Confederation competitions (AFC Champions League, AFC Women’s Asian Cup and AFC Asian Cup); the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and more.

Additional coverage details for the 2024 USL season will be announced in the coming weeks.

About CBS Sports

CBS Sports, a year-round leader in cross-platform sports coverage, broadcasts a portfolio of events on the CBS Television Network, including THE NFL ON CBS; college football, including the SEC ON CBS and BIG TEN ON CBS; college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship; golf, including The Masters®, PGA Championship and PGA TOUR; soccer, including the UEFA Champions League and NWSL; and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR. In addition, the division includes CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports which televises live sports programming throughout the year, including college football and basketball games, soccer matches from UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, Concacaf and NWSL, as well as a full slate of original programming and studio coverage. CBS Sports also delivers an extensive lineup of global soccer coverage on Paramount+, including every UEFA club competition match, all Serie A matches as well as Concacaf national team competitions. CBS Sports’ multi-platform offerings include CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices; the 24/7 streaming sports news network CBS SPORTS HQ; the free 24-hour soccer streaming network CBS SPORTS GOLAZO NETWORK; 247Sports; MaxPreps; CBS Sports fantasy games; and SportsLine.

About United Soccer League

Impacting more than 200 communities, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in North America. The USL is the first and only soccer organization in the United States to build a youth-to-professional pathway for both women and men within one ecosystem. That structure includes three professional leagues: USL Championship (men), USL League One (men) and USL Super League (women), which begins in August 2024.

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CBS Sports Press Contacts:

Paul-Michael Ochoa – paulmichael.ochoa@paramount.com
Caroline Goldberg – caroline.goldberg@viacomcbs.com

USL Press Contacts:

Will Kuhns – will.kuhns@uslsoccer.com
Gabriela Lozada – gabriela.lozada@uslsoccer.com

This was the first league final appearance in club history

CARY, N.C. (November 5, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence fell just short in the 2023 USL League One Final after North Carolina FC won in penalty kicks, 2-1 (5-4). The Independence posted a historic season, reaching the first league final in club history. 

After the match, Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared his thoughts on the match. “I’m just gutted for the guys. They put everything into the game, and you know, the little plays didn’t quite bounce our way. I’m so proud of the guys. We showed up, and I thought we played an exceptionally strong game. We probably had chances to win it, but unfortunately we couldn’t close it out, and that’s a little disappointing and frustrating. I think the hard part will be to deal with it.”

The first half was fairly even with much of the play in the center of the pitch. The Jacks’ offense primarily flowed down the sides of the field looking for crosses. 

In the 29th minute, a corner kick opened up two dangerous chances for the Independence as the punch by goalkeeper #31 Brooks Thompson landed near #56 Gabriel Obertan. His shot deflected towards #27 Bachir Ndiaye whose shot was blocked.

As the Independence continued attacking, a shot by #10 Miguel Ibarra was deflected in the air, but Thompson made the save despite this.

Halftime: North Carolina FC 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

Both teams came out with increased energy for the second half. In the 47th minute, #13 Louis Pérez launched a powerful shot from outside the penalty area which #1 Austin Pack secured.

The Jacks earned a free kick outside the penalty area in the 52nd minute which resulted in a couple corner kicks. On the other end of the field, Pack made another important save after a close-range shot by NCFC in the 54th minute.

Much of the pressure for Charlotte in the second half started with Obertan’s distribution through the middle of the field. The Jacks held possession around the NCFC penalty area with excellent ball movement halfway through the second period.

#3 Hector Acosta showed his defensive prowess in the 79th minute, tracking back to catch the opposition on a counter attack and shield the ball out of bounds for a goal kick.

Moments before regulation ended, NCFC’s Perez hit a threatening shot low and hard, but it landed just outside the right post.

End of regulation: North Carolina FC 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

The first major opportunity for the Independence in extra time came in the 98th minute as a shot from Obertan deflected into the path of #9 Dane Kelly, but Kelly’s shot was deflected out for a corner.

Charlotte earned a series of three corner kicks, and the third one did the trick. #14 Luis Alvarez’s kick sailed into the center of the six-yard box, and Acosta sent a targeted header into the back of the net to give the Independence the lead in the 99th minute.

The Jacks concluded the first extra time period with a vital catch by Pack on a contested corner kick.

In the 111th minute, North Carolina FC equalized with a shot by #44 Raheem Sommersall following a free kick. The shot bounced off the crossbar into Pack’s back and in the goal.

As extra time was waning, Kelly sprinted on a breakaway, chasing a long ball from the defense, but Thompson slid out to make the save in the 119th minute.

End of extra time: North Carolina FC 1, Charlotte Independence 1.

For the second time in the playoffs, the Jacks entered a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Kelly opened the shootout with a confident goal. Next up, #8 Joel Johnson’s shot was tipped off the crossbar and out. Acosta, Alvarez, and #4 Nick Spielman all scored their kicks, but it was not enough as the hosts scored all five to win 5-4 in the shootout.

“We talked about it before the game,” Jeffries explained. “You are developing as the season goes on, you take the lessons from the season and it all shows up, and I thought it really did tonight. I thought we did so many things well once the game settled. From day one, the guys believed in themselves and had confidence in themselves and thought we would be a championship team, and they certainly showed it and played at the level of a championship team today.”

Full time: North Carolina FC 2 (5), Charlotte Independence 1 (4).

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 30, 2023) – Charlotte Independence and USL League One announced on Monday that the 2023 Championship match will now be played on Sunday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. The league had previously set the final for 8:30 p.m. The match will still air on ESPN2 as previously scheduled.

MATCH DETAILS:
No. 2 North Carolina FC vs. No. 4 Charlotte Independence
Sunday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m.
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina
Stream on ESPN2

TICKETS: Purchase discounted tickets for Independence fans here.

The Independence won 5-4 in a penalty shootout

OMAHA, N.E. (October 28, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence advanced to the 2023 USL League One Championship with a victory over Union Omaha in penalty kicks on Saturday night. The match was scoreless through 120 minutes of regulation and extra time. The Jacks won the shootout 5-4, scoring all five penalty kicks taken. The Independence await their opponent and match details for the final.

After a lengthy, physical battle, Head Coach Mike Jeffries spoke highly of the effort shown by his players to emerge victorious. “The intensity level, concentration, and work rate throughout the game was great. We did a good job of keeping shape and not allowing it to be a crazy game despite the tired legs. Some of our guys ran into a brick wall with how hard they ran and what they put into the game. It’s great to win and advance to the final.”

Omaha started the match on the attack through multiple set pieces in the Charlotte defensive end. The first major opportunity for the Independence on offense came in the 15th minute as #56 Gabriel Obertan flicked the ball on to #27 Bachir Ndiaye, but his cross landed out of reach for #90 Khori Bennett on the back post.

On the other end, #1 Austin Pack slid out to stop a breakaway in the 16th minute. A long goal kick by Pack in the 26th minute sent #11 Tresor Mbuyu on a break towards goal. Goalkeeper #24 Rashid Nuhu’s ensuing punt was intercepted by Bennett, but his shot sailed high of the goal.

Pack made a huge save in the 28th minute, swatting away a close attempt on goal following a corner. He managed to keep the ball out of the net while falling backwards into the goal.

“We did a great job on set pieces,” Jeffries added. “They have been very effective on set pieces throughout the season. We had to deal with a lot of corners and dead balls, but the guys did a great job. When it did break down, Austin made the plays so credit to him.”

The Jacks ramped up the pressure towards the end of the first half. A corner kick in the 39th minute created a dangerous chance on the back post, but Mbuyu’s shot was saved by Nuhu. 

Halftime: Union Omaha 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

The Independence notched an impressive series of team saves in the 56th minute including a header off the goalline by #8 Joel Johnson and a sliding block by Ndiaye. 

Johnson had a clear look at goal in the 72nd minute from outside the penalty area, but Nuhu secured the save. Obertan launched a long-distance shot of his own in the 79th minute, also saved. 

Charlotte thought a breakthrough was found in the 81st minute as #6 Omar Ciss was unmarked on the back post receiving a cross, but Ciss was ruled offside. 

The Jacks continued on the attack through the end of regulation, but 90 minutes was not enough to decide the winner of this contest.

End of regulation: Union Omaha 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

In the 97th minute, Obertan sent a cross to the far post finding the head of Bennett. His header deflected to Ciss whose shot was saved out of bounds for a corner kick. 

After Omaha earned a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 101st minute, Pack recorded a pair of saves on the shot and subsequent rebound attempt. 

The first 15 minute period of extra time finished scoreless, leaving 15 minutes left to play before the match would be settled in penalty kicks. 

Ciss sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area in the 113th minute which tailed towards goal but went slightly wide. As the final minutes of extra time approached, Charlotte sent numerous long balls into the offensive half. Neither team found the back of the net in 120 minutes, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

End of extra time: Union Omaha 0, Charlotte Independence 0.

“The whole team fought hard for 120 minutes,” Pack commented. “Getting to this stage and playing in the final is a great achievement for us.”

Johnson took the first penalty kick for Charlotte and drilled it into the top left corner. #10 Steevan Dos Santos missed the second kick for Omaha, allowing the Independence to take the lead with #3 Hector Acosta’s kick. Bennett gave the Jacks a 3-2 edge with his shot, despite Nuhu getting his fingertips on it. #14 Luis Alvarez fired his shot into the bottom left corner, setting a 4-3 advantage for the Jacks. With the winning kick, #4 Nick Spielman earned the Independence a spot in the USL League One Championship.

“It was an unreal moment,” Spielman shared. “We all work so hard our whole careers for these moments and to convert makes it even more special.” 

Full time: Union Omaha 0 (4), Charlotte Independence 1 (5).

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will play in the USL League One Championship next weekend. The details will be available soon.

Goals by #8 Joel Johnson (51’), #56 Gabriel Obertan (74’), & #7 Avionne Flanagan (79’)

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 20, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence earned a spot in the 2023 USL League One Semifinals with a 3-2 victory over Greenville Triumph SC on Friday night. The next match will be played on Saturday, October 28. More details will be announced soon.

After the win, Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared what this win means to him and the team saying, “It’s big. The guys battled so hard to get to home field, and it meant so much to be here tonight. It was great to see the support we had for the game. It was a really good character test for us to come back from conceding and having to come back from a halftime deficit, and the guys came through. It was a tremendous effort in the second half.”

With a spot in the USL League One Semifinals on the line, both teams started the game with heightened intensity. #56 Gabriel Obertan unleashed a powerful shot, landing just wide of the goal in the 12th minute.

To the surprise of many, Greenville took the lead in the 13th minute through a shot by #23 Allen Gavilanes, deceiving goalkeeper #1 Austin Pack. 

A dangerous set piece earned outside the penalty area started some momentum for the Jacks around 25 minutes into the match. The cross from #7 Avionne Flanagan was headed out for a corner kick. In the aftermath of the corner kick, Obertan drove towards the endline and earned another corner kick. 

In the 31st minute, #8 Joel Johnson attempted to assist in style with a back heel flick into the path of #11 Tresor Mbuyu, but the striker’s shot went wide. Mbuyu forced a quick diving save out of #99 Jared Mazzola in the 45th minute.

“We retained our confidence even going into halftime down a goal,” Jeffries explained. “We still believed in ourselves and felt good about it.”

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, Greenville Triumph SC 1.

The Jacks started the offensive pressure early in the second half with quality passing in the attacking third. Obertan recorded another threatening shot, forcing a save from Mazzola and earning a corner kick in the 48th minute.

Charlotte leveled the score in the 51st minute with a curling shot into the top left corner by Johnson from outside the penalty area.

The left goalpost was ruthless in the second half. Johnson’s cross bounced off the post and back into play in the 56th minute. In the 63rd minute, #6 Omar Ciss showed off his foot skills to beat a defender, but his shot ricocheted off the post, too. 

The Independence continued the stellar passing to earn the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute. #10 Miguel Ibarra passed the ball to Obertan outside the top of the penalty area and continued his run. Obertan played the ball to Ciss who flicked it on to Ibarra. His shot was blocked into the path of Obertan whose first-touch strike landed in the back of the net.

“The attitude was great,” Johnson shared. “We conceded the first goal, and it was a little tricky for us, but the team fought and found a way to win which was the most important thing.”

Not long after, the Jacks extended the lead to 3-1 in the 79th minute. Flanagan dribbled untouched into the penalty area before cutting around a defender and sneaking a shot into the bottom right corner.

“We’ve known that the play and the performances were there leading into the playoffs,” Flanagan said. “We knew we wanted to get off running early which we didn’t. They ended up scoring the first goal, but the resilience and the ability to fight back and score the next three unanswered was excellent from the team.” 

In stoppage time, Greenville cut the lead to one with a goal by #22 Nate Shultz stemming from a corner kick. The Triumph ran out of time to equalize, sealing the win for the Independence.

Full time: Charlotte Independence 3, Greenville Triumph SC 2.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will play a semifinal match on Saturday, October 28. Full match details will be available after the conclusion of the other quarterfinal match.