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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.

Independence finished 4th in the USL League One standings

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 14, 2023) – With a 1-1 draw against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday evening, the Charlotte Independence secured a home quarterfinal match in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs. The Jacks will make their fourth consecutive playoff appearance on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Tickets start at $10 here.

“It’s the end of the season, these games are always intense,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “You have two teams with so much to play for, and the game played out that way.” 

Tormenta opened the game full steam ahead on offense with multiple attempts in the first 10 minutes of the match, but #1 Austin Pack handled the pressure well.

“They had the better first 15 minutes, then we settled into the half,” Jeffries commented. “We had a couple good looks that we didn’t finish.”

The first major chance for the Jacks on offense came in the 24th minute as #56 Gabriel Obertan sent a cross into the center of the penalty area, but #11 Tresor Mbuyu could not make clean contact with the ball as it went out for a goal kick.

It seemed as though Charlotte took the lead in the 40th minute, but Mbuyu’s header hit the outside of the side netting after a cross from #6 Omar Ciss.

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, South Georgia Tormenta FC 0.

The Independence took the lead in the 52nd minute thanks to an own goal created by a cross from Mbuyu along the endline. 

The lead lasted just 10 minutes as Tormenta equalized through a goal by #11 Jackson Khoury off a cross by #16 Davey Mason.

After entering as a substitute, #90 Khori Bennett logged the first shot on target for the Jacks in the 71st minute after beating a defender, but his strike was saved by the Tormenta goalkeeper. 

Tormenta continued pressuring on offense, needing a goal to reach playoffs, but the Independence defense held the visitors away from goal. 

“They were fighting for a spot in the playoffs, so they pushed hard at times,” Bennett explained.

Full time: Charlotte Independence 1, South Georgia Tormenta FC 1. 

The Independence officially earned home field advantage in the first round of playoffs due to the draw and other results around the league.

“It’s massive for us,” midfielder #12 Brad Dunwell said. “We’re better at home, and we feed off the environment here.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will begin the 2023 USL League One Playoffs on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion Memorial Stadium, marking the sixth total and fourth consecutive playoff appearance in club history. Tickets start at $10 here.

2024 Season Tickets on sale now with new, premium benefits for the club’s most passionate fans. 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (October 10, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence announced today their 2024 Season Ticket Member packages and pricing. The club will celebrate its 10th season after just clinching their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The 10th Anniversary celebration will honor the club’s rich history and set a new course for the next decade of unmatched soccer experiences at American Legion Memorial Stadium.  

“After another quality, Mike Jeffries led playoff team and years of success on and off the field, we are going to up the ante for our fans as we celebrate our 10th anniversary,” stated team President & COO Tim Schuldt. “Our season ticket members will enjoy great savings, chance of a lifetime experiences and some really cool merchandise that will celebrate our rich history. We look forward to another great season of memories with our season ticket members and all Charlotte soccer fans!”

2024 Season Ticket packages start at $5 per game providing an affordable, family-friendly environment for Charlotte soccer fans. Among the added savings and benefits includes a commemorative 10th Anniversary jersey, a limited-edition 10th Anniversary scarf and an exclusive Season Ticket Member experience at the club’s first-ever Charlotte Independence Fan Fest to be held at American Legion Memorial Stadium prior to the start of the 2024 USL League One regular season. Other notable perks include:

• No price increases
• Up to 58% Savings
• Exclusive experiences at the club’s first-ever soccer fan fest  
• Free, limited-edition, collectible merchandise

Visit charlotteindependence.com/seasontickets to view all 2024 Season Ticket Member Benefits.

American Legion Memorial Stadium is one of the region’s best soccer-specific stadiums which boasts beautiful city skyline views and offers a variety of seat options for fans, including a private Loge Box for large groups, celebrations, corporate outings and more. The Loge Box experience is all-inclusive with tickets, catering, parking credit and all season ticket member benefits. Additional seat options at American Legion Memorial Stadium are: 

• Club Seats designed for comfort.
• Spacious Sideline Bench with Back Seats for families or large groups.
• VIP On-Field Seats for the soccer aficionados.
• VIP Overlook Seats with the best city skyline views.
• Supporters Group Section for our most passionate fans.

2024 Season Tickets are on sale now at charlotteindependence.com/seasontickets.

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.

Goal by #11 Tresor Mbuyu (21’)

OMAHA, N.E. (October 4, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence fell to Union Omaha, 4-1, in the final road game of the regular season on Wednesday evening. The Jacks will play the regular season finale at home against South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $12. 

“It was an intense game with a little bit of a playoff-type atmosphere,” Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared. “It’s a tough night but maybe a good one to get out of our system before the end of the season. I was proud of the energy and the effort the guys put in and the intensity that we played with. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the balance of the game, but that happens sometimes.”

The Owls took the lead in the 20th minute with a one-touch finish by #11 Joe Gallardo from a cross by #26 Dion Acoff.

Only a minute later, the Jacks responded with #11 Tresor Mbuyu’s ninth goal of the season to level the score. #10 Miguel Ibarra carried the ball from midfield and found #8 Joel Johnson on the right wing. Johnson drove towards the endline and crossed the ball to Mbuyu who tallied a one-touch finish of his own into the back of the net.

“They had us under pressure for a little bit of the first half, but as the game settled, we felt pretty good coming into halftime,” Jeffries commented. “It was a great response to conceding a goal.”

Most of the possession remained in the midfield as each team only recorded one additional shot on target in the first half. Despite this statistic, the Independence were just inches away from taking the lead in the 45th minute.

Mbuyu swerved past a few defenders down the left side before playing a through ball to #7 Avionne Flanagan who dribbled towards the endline, running into an Omaha defender. The deflection found Johnson on the back post, and after a few touches around a defender, his shot grazed off the crossbar.

“We had chances to take the lead in the first half,” Johnson expressed. “Perhaps the game would have changed if we achieved any of the chances we had.”

Halftime: Union Omaha 1, Charlotte Independence 1.

Omaha displayed heavy offensive pressure right from the start of the second half. #9 Dane Kelly continued roaming around the Owls’ backline looking for potential counterattacking moments.

#1 Austin Pack logged a save from point-blank range, resulting in a corner kick in the 66th minute. The set piece taken by #20 Luis Gil found the head of #10 Steevan Dos Santos who powered the Owls into the lead.

“Omaha is a very direct and quick team which means you really have to focus for 90 minutes,” defender #4 Nick Spielman commented. “You can’t fall asleep for a moment or they will punish you. They took their chances and won the game.”

After a great deal of commotion following a corner kick, Union Omaha earned a penalty kick in the 88th minute which was slotted by Dos Santos to secure the win for the hosts. The Owls were not finished yet as Dos Santos completed his second half hattrick with a goal late in stoppage time.

“I thought the second half was pretty level until the set piece,” Jeffries explained. “It’s frustrating to give up a goal on a corner in a game this level. We got caught chasing the game, and credit to them, they’re a great team and took advantage with another set piece play and the counter.”

Full time: Union Omaha 4, Charlotte Independence 1.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will host South Georgia Tormenta FC for the regular season finale on Saturday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $12.

Fourth-straight year appearing in playoffs and sixth in the club’s nine-year history

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 30, 2023) – The Charlotte Independence clinched a spot in the USL League One playoffs with a 1-1 draw against One Knoxville SC on Saturday night. The Jacks are on the road for the final time in the regular season against Union Omaha on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. All away matches can be streamed for free with Bahakel Sports. 

The draw secured a playoff spot for the Independence for the fourth-straight season. This will be the sixth playoff appearance in nine years of the club’s history. More details about the first round of playoffs will be shared once determined.

When asked about enjoying the moment of clinching playoffs, Head Coach Mike Jeffries shared, “We’ll enjoy it tonight, but it’s straight to work tomorrow. We need to get a good sense of where guys are physically and how we go about Wednesday against the team that’s been the hottest in the league.”

The Independence started on the attack early in the match with multiple dangerous chances. The most threatening opportunity came in the 13th minute as #8 Joel Johnson’s free kick on the edge of the penalty area was tipped over the crossbar by the Knoxville goalkeeper.

Fortunes turned in the 19th minute as One Knoxville took the lead through a goal by #14 Jimmie Villalobos. The striker hit a side volley into the far corner of the net out of the reach of #1 Austin Pack. 

“They’re a very good team,” Jeffries commented. “We had a tough time with them for three games, and they’ve all been like this one. Credit to them, they stretched us defensively and managed to get a goal out of it in the first half. I give our guys a lot of credit. We showed a lot of character and fought really hard.”

The Jacks continued attacking, looking to level the score. In the 27th minute, Johnson served a dangerous cross towards #9 Dane Kelly directly in front of goal. #11 Tresor Mbuyu took possession from a deflection and fired a shot just past the far post. A cross from #6 Omar Ciss streamed through the center of the penalty area looking for Kelly in the 36th minute, but Knoxville cleared the attempt.

In stoppage time of the first half, Pack made his 106th save of the season, setting a new USL League One record for saves in a single season.

Halftime: Charlotte Independence 0, One Knoxville SC 1.

Right out of the gates, the Jacks tested the Knoxville goalkeeper in the 50th minute. #56 Gabriel Obertan lifted a cross to Kelly in front of goal. His low shot was saved by #1 Sean Lewis, and Ciss’ shot off the rebound was blocked out of bounds for a corner kick.

Charlotte tied the score at one apiece in the 58th minute thanks to an own goal by Knoxville. A well-struck corner kick by Johnson created chaos in the penalty area, forcing One Knox to attempt a clearance which ended up in the back of the net instead. 

“We knew what we had to do today,” #27 Bachir Ndiaye commented. “We were focused. We knew we needed a point, so we stayed solid. We went down in the first half but managed it in the second half.” 

The Jacks pressed the Knoxville defense for most of the final third of the game, and the Independence defense held strong against multiple stoppage time corner kicks from the visitors to secure a tie. 

Full time: Charlotte Independence 1, One Knoxville 1.

“We want to host a playoff game, so we need to go to Omaha and try to get three points and finish at home with three more,” #10 Miguel Ibarra explained.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence will play its final road match of the regular season against Union Omaha on Wednesday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. All away matches can be streamed for free with Bahakel Sports.

In his first season with the Charlotte Independence, defender #4 Nick Spielman solidified his spot in the starting lineup. Outside of team obligations, Spielman coached individual training sessions for local youth players. Little did he know, his one-on-one training would open the door for him to lead the next generation of soccer players in nearby Matthews, North Carolina.

On Thursday, July 27, the Athletic Director at Butler High School, Chris Satterfield, learned that the boys’ soccer coach would not be returning to his position for the 2023-24 school year. This stirred panic in Satterfield’s mind, knowing that tryouts were only four days away. He sent a message to the families preparing for tryouts to explain the situation, and they jumped into action to help find a coach. Spielman’s name was sent to Satterfield by one of the players training individually with the defender.

“On Friday, I started getting resumes and phone calls,” Satterfield explained. “I went through the whole process and spoke with Nick. He wasn’t sold at first and needed some time to think about it. A few days later, Nick and I talked about some of the expectations on what I was looking for, and we were looking for the same things. Nick is such a cool, calm, and collected guy. Being an AD, that’s what you’re looking for.” 

It was not a simple decision for Spielman considering the Independence were in the middle of the USL League One season and vying for playoff qualification.

“Before I even accepted the job with Butler, I looked at my schedule and collaborated with AD Satterfield and tried to sort out if I was going to be able to be at every game and every practice,” Spielman shared.

Once the logistical issues were eased, it seemed like the right path for Spielman, following in the footsteps of numerous family members. Spielman’s dad, Donald, coached him for many years as a child. His brother coached soccer for a brief stint. His brother-in-law is currently the Director of Coaching at a club in Georgia. All of the signs pointed to the opportunity at Butler HS being the natural choice for Spielman.

“It just kind of runs in my family with everyone being around soccer,” Spielman said. “I can’t really imagine doing another job that doesn’t include soccer.”

After accepting the job as the Head Varsity Boys Coach, the next step was to find an assistant coach and someone to lead the Junior Varsity squad. Naturally, Spielman turned to his Independence teammates. While many declined for various reasons, midfielder #6 Omar Ciss was open to the challenge. Ciss, a native of Dakar, Senegal, was hesitant about taking on the leadership role, but it has certainly changed him for the better.

“Omar has grown as a coach because he has grown to be more vocal,” Spielman said of his teammate. “On the Independence side, he’s more of a role model in the way he plays and carries himself, and I think being a coach now, he’s increasing his talking more, so it’s translating from him being a better coach to being a better player too.”

Not only has this opportunity afforded Spielman and Ciss personal growth opportunities, but it has benefited the Butler HS community and the people of Matthews. Butler High School is only one mile away from the Independence’s training facility and the fields where young soccer players begin their playing journey. 

“It brought instant credibility having Nick and Omar here because they’re playing and practicing themselves,” Satterfield expressed. “The town of Matthews is a small knit community, and we have many families who are fans of the Charlotte Independence, so they’re able to identify that those are our coaches who are also playing. This is a great opportunity for everybody.”

There is no doubt that having a professional soccer player as a coach during high school is one of the best possible options for players who hope to develop their game and continue playing at the next level. Spielman played Division I soccer at East Tennessee State University where he appeared in 26 matches, starting all 17 games during his senior season.

There are increasingly more opportunities for young players to advance to the next stage, and Spielman is an example of exploring these avenues. Spielman played four seasons in USL League Two, a pre-professional league composed of mostly collegiate players competing during the offseason to stay fit and gain exposure. After finishing college, Spielman signed his first professional contract with Chattanooga FC, playing in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). He spent three years with the side, making 52 appearances. A preseason trial with the Charlotte Independence led Spielman to the Queen City.

Fast forward to September 2023, and the Butler Bulldogs are in conference-play. Navigating the season under the guidance of professional players has had a positive experience on the teams.

The boys’ varsity captain, Samuel Koul Biar, shared, “It’s pretty exciting having a professional player as a coach because the advice is more live like they’re going in the game with you.” 

Fellow teammate Crubel Tesfaye added, “I’m looking forward to learning new things from our coaches. These are experiences that they’ve also encountered, and it’s something that they’ll have more experience to guide us through since they’ve played.”

Being a role model for these players is something that Spielman and Ciss both cherish. Each of them had coaches growing up who cared for them and guided them to be better people, and this is the perfect opportunity to give back and continue the cycle. Although it is certainly a tall task to balance the rigor of playing professionally for a team striving for playoffs and developing practice plans for high schoolers, Spielman and Ciss have tackled this challenge with such responsibility and leadership. 

Two months ago, leading a high school soccer program was likely not on Spielman’s radar, but his ultimate decision to take on the opportunity will forever impact his journey, Ciss’ journey, and the journey of all the players they help.