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Charlotte Independence W Adds Trio of Virginia Tech Players

Jacks add two goal scorers and a goalkeeper to the roster

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 11, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team announced today the signing of three Virginia Tech players who are set to join the squad ahead of its inaugural season. The arsenal includes Midfielders Gabrielle Johnson and Ayden Yates as well as goalkeeper Sarah Allston Phillips.

“We are looking forward to having three young women with ACC experience join the team this summer,” Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team said. “Ayden is an attacking midfielder and forward that has the ability to get into dangerous positions to score and create opportunities for others. Gabi is an experienced central midfielder who looks to retain possession and will take on a playmaking role going forward. Sarah Allston will be part of our goalkeeping group. She has the experience to provide leadership and organization from the back and will be determined to have a positive impact on the team this summer.”

Johnson set a school record for career goals scored at Veritas High School in Richmond, Virginia, with 49. She helped lead the Lions to two consecutive Conference Championships in 2014-2015 and was a two-time All-Conference selection in 2014 and 2015. At the club level, Johnson competed for the Seattle Sounders in the Women’s Premier Soccer League and played for Fredericksburg Football and Elite Clubs National League Programs.

Before transferring to Virginia Tech as a graduate student, Johnson played at Delaware where she made an immediate impact for the Fightin’ Blue Hens. In her freshman season, she appeared in 18 games and was tied for the team lead in goals with three. She served as Captain during her junior and senior seasons before joining the Hokies.

“I cannot wait to train and compete with, and against, great players this summer with the Charlotte Independence,” Johnson said. “It is exciting to know I am entering a great environment to improve my game, meet new people, and participate in the newest women’s league.”

At Lake Norman Charter High School, Yates broke the single-season scoring record her freshman year with 45 goals and broke the single-season assist record her junior year with 26. She finished her time at Lake Norman Charter with 144 goals and 68 assists. In her three high school seasons, she was named All-Conference, All-Region and All-State all three years and was named the 2020 Gatorade North Carolina Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Yates played for the Charlotte Soccer Academy DA and led her team in assists and was second in goals scored during her final season with CSA. She helped lead the team to a State Cup Championship, scoring in the title game.

“I am very excited to be signing with the Charlotte Independence USL W League team this summer,” Yates said. “I look forward to being surrounded by amazing talent and playing with former teammates!”

Phillips played high school soccer at Waccamaw High School. She helped lead the Warriors to three straight Region Championships and was a three-year Captain. She set the school record for saves in a single game and most saves and shutouts in a single season. Phillips played club soccer at South Carolina United and won the South Carolina State Title, the National League Disney Showcase and the Jefferson Cup. She was forced to miss her freshman season at Virginia Tech due to injury, but appeared in goal twice during her junior year making two saves.

“I am super excited to live in the Charlotte area with my VT teammates and be a part of a very professional setting with high-stellar women athletes,” Phillips said.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit www.charlotteindependence.com/2022-womens-usl-w-league-schedule/.

Charlotte Independence USL W League Team Adds Three to Defense

Jacks’ defense takes shape with new faces ahead of inaugural season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 9, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team announced today the signing of goalkeeper Cadence Talbert and defenders Kendyl Lauher and Nicola Hauk for the 2022 season.

“It will be exciting to see Kendyl back out on the field and see her using her tremendous athletic ability as she looks to give us an attacking threat from the outside back position,” Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team said. “We are very fortunate to have Nicole playing for us this summer as she prepares to head off to the Big 10 with Nebraska in the fall. She is a very composed center back who reads the game extremely well. This enables her to break up attacks and then start transition opportunities that we can exploit. Cadence is an extremely athletic keeper with great range. Playing this summer will give her the opportunity to build experience and continue her development as a keeper.

At Geneso High School in Geneso, Illinois, Talbert was named the Team MVP and the Top Defensive Specialist as well as Big 6 Player of the Week honors.

Talbert joins the Jacks after her freshman year of college at Eckerd College. In her first season, she was the starting goalkeeper for the Tritons and played a combined 1,076 minutes in the fall season. She posted four shutouts while making 55 saves and posted a 74.3% save percentage during her first season.

“I am most excited to share my love of soccer with other experienced players, all while improving my athletic and technical abilities,” Talbert said. “Dedicating my time to soccer outside of college is a great way to expand my knowledge of the game, and I get to share this time with players who have the same athletic persistence as me!”

Lauher, a Davidson, North Carolina native, played high school soccer at Cannon School where she was named the Offensive MVP in 2018 and 2019 by her head coach. She earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2019 and Second Team All-Conference in 2018. In her final high school season, Lauher scored nine goals and earned 15 assists.

She returns to Charlotte Independence after playing with the team’s ECNL team where she was named to the Mid-Atlantic All-Conference team in 2021. During her freshman season at Syracuse, Lauher played in all 17 games and earned an assist against ACC opponent Louisville.

“I’m so excited to come back home with former teammates and be pushed into a new level of my game as I prepare myself for another difficult ACC season,” Lauher said. “Being able to represent the club again is exactly how I’d want to spend my summer.”

Hauk comes to Charlotte after playing two seasons at Delta State and plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska. With the Fighting Okra, Hauk became a mainstay on the defense in her short time with the team, starting in all 10 games during a shortened 2020 season while scoring three goals and was a part of the team that won the program’s first postseason game.

In 2021, she made the All-Conference Second Team while starting in every game. She has scored five goals and earned one assist out of the back across her first two college seasons.

“I am excited to get the opportunity to grow as a player and person over summer, surrounded by a lot of talented girls,” Hauk said.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your season tickets, please visit www.charlotteindependence.com/2022-womens-usl-w-league-schedule/.

Charlotte Independence and South Georgia Tormenta FC Scoreless After First Away Match

Goalkeeper #30 Adrian Zendejas earned his first clean sheet of the season.

STATESBORO, GA (May 7, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence earned one point in tonight’s 0-0 draw at South Georgia Tormenta FC. It was the Jack’s first away match of the season and goalkeeper #30 Adrian Zendejas earned his first clean sheet of the season. The Jacks return home next week to host FC Tucson on Sunday, May 15 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM. It’s a double header night featuring the club’s USL W League inaugural match. The women host Greenville Liberty at 3:00 PM. One ticket is valid for both matches. Visit charlotteindependence.com to secure your seats.

“We’re still a new group coming together and we’ve played a couple different systems, so there is still a lot of learning to get done, but this is probably our strongest night defensively,” explained Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “On other nights we’ve been better transitioning from defense into attack. We weren’t sharp enough in that area tonight, but overall defensively, the guys will feel pretty good.”

Tormenta earned the first corner kick of the match in just the first minute of play. Charlotte goalkeeper Zendejas was tested early with the service into the box, but he got up and punched the ball away dodging an early attack by South Georgia.

Charlotte’s #19 Quinn McNeill played a ball over the Tormenta back line in the 13th minute to a sprinting #11 Tresor Mbuyu on the counter attack. Mbuyu’s first cross was blocked, but his second pass found McNeill trailing at the top of the box. The shot was saved by Tormenta goalkeeper #1 Pablo Jara.

Zendejas made another big save in the 34th minute off a shot to the top left corner from #10 Adrian Billhardt. The last chance of the half came off a Tormenta corner kick. The cross found the foot of Billhardt again and his strike flew towards #6 Omar Ciss who was on the goal line to make the clearance.

“I’ll like to start off by saying how proud I am of the boys for the mentality and work ethic they brought out today,” stated Zendejas. “This shutout is a team effort, and thanks to Omar for the goal line clearance.”

Halftime score: South Georgia Tormenta FC 0 – Charlotte Independence 0

The Jacks pressed more in the second half coming up with a number of good looks on goal. It started in the 46th minute off a shot from defender #5 Shalom Dutey who missed just high over the crossbar.

Then, it wasn’t until the 80th minute of play when the Jacks drew a foul outside of the penalty box. #2 Koa Santos stepped up to take the kick and served a ball up towards the back post. #15 Carson Talboys was there to challenge, but the Tormenta defender headed it up and out of play for a corner kick.

“It was a battle all 90 minutes,” stated Talboys. ”We had spoken about the focus and mentality needed to keep a clean sheet prior to the game, so for us to go out and perform in a tough environment on our first road trip is massive for us going forward.”

Charlotte’s best look in the attack came in the 88th minute when Mbuyu turned up the speed down the left flank. He drove into the box and cut a pass back to #90 Khori Bennett who was sitting at about the PK spot. Bennett chipped his shot high and over the crossbar.

Tormenta earned a free kick for one of the last plays of the match, but nothing came of it. The final score in Statesboro: South Georgia Tormenta FC 0 – Charlotte Independence 0.

“We were obviously pleased with getting the shutout. I think it was hard for us because we never really got a rhythm that we’ve normally been able to have so that was a little bit of a frustration, but I give the guys a lot of credit,” stated Jeffries. “They competed well, they battled, they stayed tuned in and defended well. We had enough good chances to maybe get all three points but we unfortunately didn’t make the plays in the final third to get it done on the night. I think we’ll try to emphasize the positives – going on the road, defending well and getting the shutout.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Jacks return home next week to host FC Tucson on Sunday, May 15 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM. It’s a double header night featuring the club’s USL W League inaugural match. The women host Greenville Liberty at 3:00 PM. One ticket is valid for both matches. Visit charlotteindependence.com to secure your seats.

Charlotte Independence USL W League Team Adds Pair of Midfielders from Elon

Phoenix pair bring youth and experience to the Jacks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 7, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team announced today the signing of a pair of Elon University midfielders to the inaugural roster. Senior Carson Jones and freshman Kerri Coffman will join the growing midfield.

“We are happy to have another couple of Elon players join the team this summer,” Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League team said. “Carson recently graduated after a terrific career at Elon and gets to extend her soccer career back in her hometown. She will provide a great attacking influence on the team from the midfield and upfront. Kerri is a tough central defender who is tremendous in the air. It will be awesome to see Kerri back out in an Independence uniform this summer.”

At the club level, Jones played with Lake Norman Soccer Club and won three NCYSA Premier League Championships in 2012, 2014 and 2016. She helped lead the Lake Norman Soccer Club 98 Eclipse to two Dana Cup Championships in Denmark in 2013 and 2015 and made three NCYSA State Cup Final Four appearances in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

In high school, Jones played at Providence Day School where she helped lead her team to a 3A-Private State Runner-Up finish and earned her first All-State selection in 2015. She received her second All-State selection the next season and earned All-Region honors in 2016. Throughout high school, she was named All-Conference three consecutive seasons in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Across her five seasons at Elon, Jones was named the team’s MVP in 2018 and 2019 and earned Colonial Athletic Association Second Team Honors in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, Jones was a part of a historic Elon team that won the program’s first CAA Championship while also being named the CAA Most Outstanding Player that same year.

“I’m really excited to get back on the field and play with Charlotte Independence this summer! I can’t wait to start the season!” Jones said.

Coffman played high school soccer at Lake Norman High School and started her high school career by winning Rookie of the Year for Lake Norman in 2017. She later captained the team her junior and senior years and won team MVP in 2019. Coffman was named All-Region and All-Conference in 2018 and 2019.

Coffman spent time in the Charlotte Independence Youth Academy and traveled to play with fellow Elon and W League teammate Kennedy Jones in Sweden, Portugal, Denmark and Iceland. In her two seasons at Elon, Coffman was a part of the CAA Championship winning team as a freshman and appeared in three games her sophomore year.

“I am super excited to be in an environment where I am surrounded by great players that I know will make me better every day,” Coffman said. “I am looking forward to playing with previous club teammates and competing! I can’t wait to return to my former club!”

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your tickets, please visit www.charlotteindependence.com/2022-womens-usl-w-league-schedule/.

Forwards Taylor Barrineau and Eveleen Hahn Join Charlotte Independence USL W League Team

SEC Champion and Charlotte Independence Academy product join the squad

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 5, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team announced today the signing of forwards Taylor Barrineou and Eveleen Hahn. Barrineou is a sophomore at Lees-McRae College while Hahn is a junior at the University of South Carolina.

“Eveleen and Taylor are two exciting attacking additions to the roster,” Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team said. “Eveleen is a forward who has been part of an extremely successful USC program. Her explosive speed and ability to get in behind the backline and create goal scoring opportunities will be fun to watch. Taylor has continued to grow in her role as an out-and-out striker. She led her college team in scoring and will bring the knack for scoring in big moments to the team this summer.”

Before going to college, Hahn was named the North Carolina State Female Player of the Year at Charlotte Catholic High School where she was also named a United Soccer Coaches All-American and a two-time All-State selection.

At South Carolina, Hahn was a part of the 2019 SEC Champions during her first collegiate season. After her freshman year, Hahn continued to be a mainstay for the Gamecocks up top being the second-highest goal scorer on the team in 2021 with four goals in 19 appearances.

“I am super excited to get started with the team this summer with both girls who I played with last summer and new members to the team,” Hahn said. “I am looking forward to playing with a variety of people from different schools, and working with the new head coach!”

In high school, Barrienou set the record for career goals and most goals in a single season at East Lincoln High School in Iron Station, North Carolina. She earned All-Conference and All-Region honors all throughout high school and was named to the All-State team twice. While previously playing with the Charlotte Independence’s Academy, Barrienou won the USYS Soccer State Championship and US National League in 2018.

Barrineou has become a consistent presence up top for the Bobcats in just two seasons. In her first collegiate year, Barrineou started in 10 games and scored one goal. Her second season, Barrineou earned All-Conference with six goals and two assists across 17 games played.

“I am thrilled to be able to play with former teammates and honored to represent my club team with USL this summer,” Barrineou said. “I look forward to continuing to push myself as I play alongside such talented players!”

Charlotte Independence Adds Hailey Matthews to USL W League Roster

Huntersville native returns to Independence from Miami University

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 3, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team announced today the signing of Miami University midfielder Hailey Matthews for their inaugural 2022 season. Matthews is from Huntersville, NC and returns to the Queen City this summer to compete with her hometown club.

“Hailey is an extremely versatile player who will help in a number of positions this season,” explained Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team. “She has grown in strength and confidence over the past couple of seasons away at college and we look forward to seeing the positive influence she has on the team this summer.”

The Miami University midfielder enrolled early to train with the team during the 2020 spring season. In her freshman year with the Red Hawks, she started in four games and appeared in six. In Matthews’ sophomore season, she earned her first college assist during the first game of the season against Austin Peay. She finished the season with two assists and appeared in 13 games.

Matthews played high school soccer at Hough High School where she was a three-year varsity letter winner. She earned All-State honors and won Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. Matthews scored 17 goals and earned 18 assists her junior season.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to return and play for the Charlotte Independence this summer,” Matthews said. “I’m very excited to be a part of this new program and can’t wait to start competing!”

Charlotte Pulls Off Another Stoppage Time Thriller Over Union Omaha

Goals scored by #9 Ivan Luquetta and #90 Khori Bennett

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 30, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence defeated the defending USL League One champs, Union Omaha, in a stoppage time thriller tonight at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The final score was 2-1 after two late goals by #9 Ivan Luquetta and #90 Khori Bennett. The Jacks are on the road next week to face South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, May 7 at Optim Health System Field in Statesboro, GA. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM. Fans can live stream the match for free on bahakelsports.com or watch over-the-air on antenna TV’s WCCB Channel 18.5.

“I’m very proud of the team for showing a lot of heart and character, especially, again, coming back from a goal down,” stated Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “We’ve managed to keep ourselves in games and find ways to get an equalizer and get a result. I’m really proud of the guys. I think it was a hard night because Omaha is a very experienced team and we had a lot of issues, but I thought the guys kept composure and obviously kept the fight going and when we were down a goal, we managed to push really hard to get an equalizer.”

First half action set the stage. The Jacks made their first rally in the 16th minute of play after #16 Tomas Maya ran up the wing and into the attack. He played a cross to the back post where #2 Koa Santos was there to collect. He volleyed a ball into the head of #6 Omar Ciss who put it just over the crossbar.

Union Omaha matched the opportunity in the 22nd minute off a corner kick towards the back post which was headed once over to #4 Alex Touche whose attempted bicycle kick skimmed off the crossbar.

The score remained all square at halftime: Charlotte Independence 0 – Union Omaha 0.

After 20 minutes into the second half, Union Omaha was first to strike. It was #7 Noe Meza who took a right footed shot into the upper right corner of the net. Union Omaha took the lead by 1.

Another 20 minutes passed, and the Jacks began to press. #7 Miguel Ibarra found the ball at his feet in the 84th minute. He looked up and saw Luquetta 1v1 on the back post. His cross floated up and over the Union Omaha defender and onto the head of Luquetta who pushed it past the keeper for his first goal of the season.

“It felt good. It was a tough game. It wasn’t the scoreboard we wanted but I’m glad I was able to come in and help the team win,” stated Luquetta. “I think the three points today were important. It gives us confidence to be at the top of the table. The next four games are going to be tough, but I think we have to take it game by game, execute the plan according to what we want, how we want to play and I think we’ll get some good results.”

Four minutes of stoppage time was added to the match. It all started with a big defensive play from #19 Quinn McNeill who won the ball in midfield and led the Jacks on a counter attack. Luquetta pushed it wide to Santos. He crossed towards the back post and found Bennett who headed the ball down and just over the line for the game winner. The goal was also his first of the season.

“It was a tough game, we knew coming into this game that they’re defending champions, and it was going to be a battle,” stated Bennett. “So, we had that mindset from the get-go. So, we were all locked in from minute one to 90, or however long the game went, and the chance came to me. There were a few crosses that came in earlier in the game that didn’t connect, and all it takes is one as a striker. You stay patient, you keep working, one came to me and I took it.”

Charlotte Independence goalkeeper #90 Andrian Zendejas secured the win after a big save in the final seconds. After Union Omaha through numbers forward and chaos ensued in the box, it was Zendejas who made the final punch to safety and a huge win for the Jacks.

“We’re still coming together as a group and still working on being more fluid in terms of how we play on both sides of the ball,” stated Jeffries. “I think the character of the group has been really, really good. The competitiveness of the group has been really good. It’s a young group, and I think we’re learning how we want to play, learning each other and I think by getting the games at home, we’ve been able to do a little bit and in each game push a little bit better which is good to see.”

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE: The Charlotte Independence travel to Statesboro, GA for their first away match of the season vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM and fans can live stream the match for free on bahakelsports.com or watch over-the-air on antenna TV’s WCCB Channel 18.5.

Charlotte Independence USL W League Team Adds Krissi Schuster

NC State senior won Frauen Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich II at the age of 17

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 26, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence USL W League team announced today the signing of NC State graduate Krissi Schuster to the 2022 roster. Before her time with the Wolfpack, Schuster won the Frauen Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in Germany during the 2014-15 season.

“Krissi is a very experienced defender who performs at a high level in all practices and games,” explained Greg Ashton, General Manager of the Charlotte Independence USL W League Team. “We’re looking forward to seeing her leadership and organization as we look to build this new team.”

Schuster joined Bayern Munich at the age of 14 in 2011 and played with Bayern II in the Bundesliga B, the top division for U17 women’s teams. While captaining the team, she helped Bayern II win the German Cup in 2014 after also winning the title in 2013. She made her Bayern Munich debut at the age of 17 and scored a goal against Paris St. Germain.

In her freshman season at NC State, Schuster started in all 22 of the Wolpack’s games at right back and finished second on the team with five assists. She scored one goal during her first college season to help the Wolfpack advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Championship.

Schuster again played in all 22 matches in her sophomore season, finishing with one goal and two assists in 2017. As a junior, she played all but four matches, and despite an injury, still produced one goal and three assists for the Wolfpack. That season her team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2018 NCAA Championship.

As a senior, Schuster started all 23 matches for NC State and had her most effective offensive season. She finished with a career-high three goals while also adding three assists for the Wolfpack offense. Schuster helped lead NC State to another Sweet 16 finish in the NCAA tournament and a semifinal appearance in the ACC tournament.

“I am most looking forward to competing in a challenging league with many talented players and hope to be able to help the team with my experience,” Schuster said.

The Charlotte Independence USL W League Team kicks off their inaugural season on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 PM (ET). The women will host Greenville Triumph SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. To view the full schedule and purchase your tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/2022-womens-usl-w-league-schedule/.

Independence Fall Short vs. Richmond

#5 Shalom Dutey with his second goal of the season

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 25, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence dropped their first match of the season to the Richmond Kickers tonight by a score of 1-2. The Jacks return to the pitch this Saturday, April 30 to host Union Omaha at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. Visit our website for tickets: www.charlotteindependence.com/.

When asked about his thoughts on the match, Head Coach Mike Jeffries explained, “We need to be better in our shape in terms of restarts. We were a little bit better with second balls getting around it, and I thought we did well with possession. We weren’t able to find as many chances as I thought we should. In the final third we were incisive enough and then it’s just mentality, being a little stronger in terms of making sure we’re concentrating the whole game and taking care of ourselves physically.”

The Jacks were first to put a strike on goal in the 4th minute of play. It was #6 Omar Ciss who took the left footed shot from outside of the box and towards the bottom right corner of the net. Richmond’s keeper #1 Akira Fitzgerald came up with the save.

Two minutes later Richmond came down the other end. They attacked up the flank and it was #11 Leonardo Baima’s cross which found the head of #32 Emiliano Terzaghi. Richmond took the early lead.

After a couple dangerous looks in the final third, Charlotte earned a corner kick in the 37th minute. #10 Ayrton Paez stepped up to take the kick. The service flew in to the head of #5 Shalom Dutey who snuck it into the back of the net for the Jacks.

“I think I just have a mentality that I want to win every ball I get inside the box,” stated Dutey. “I have a goal I want to get to, not just with set pieces but defensively how I play and I’m just trying to meet those expectations.”

The match was all square at halftime, Charlotte Independence 1 – Richmond Kickers 1.

Defender #2 Koa Santos, now a key part of the Jacks back line after two starts in the team’s last two games, expressed how he’s starting to build chemistry with the group stating, “It’s good. I’m kind of developing a leadership role and the guys are good. They’re very competitive, they want to win games and that’s the nature here. We have a pretty good group and I’ve been enjoying it.”

The second half started with some momentum in favor of the Jacks. Paez took a strike from distance in the 52nd minute off a set piece forcing Fitzgerald to make a save.

Richmond went on to take the lead in the 55th minute after a cross from the left side of the pitch found #9 Matthew Bentley open on the back post.

A red card in the 69th minute shown to #11 Tresor Mbuyu left the Jacks with 10 men for the final 20 minutes of regulation.

#9 Ivan Luquetta and Ciss looked dangerous in stoppage time after the pair worked in tandem to create multiple opportunities in front of net. It was Ciss who found the space to shoot, but he was blocked by the Kickers defense.

“We’ve got to learn. We know we made mistakes, and we need to learn from them and make sure we add them to our repertoire and be better,” stated Jeffries. “I think we showed good fight at the end in that regard, but we put ourselves in a bad spot. The goals were too easy.”

Final score: Charlotte Independence 1 – Richmond Kickers 2

The Charlotte Independence return for their fourth consecutive home match in April to face the defending USL League One champs, Union Omaha, on Saturday, April 30 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. Visit our website for tickets: www.charlotteindependence.com/.

Charlotte Independence Adds Three New Faces to 2022 Roster

Includes two players on loan from MLS club, Charlotte FC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 24, 2022) – The Charlotte Independence announced today the addition of three new players to the 2022 roster. Forward Khori Bennett joins the Jacks’ attack while goalkeeper Adrian Zendejas and defender Koa Santos strengthen the back line. Zendejas and Santos are currently on loan from MLS Club, Charlotte FC.

“With his pace and box presence, Khori brings a different dimension to our attack,” explained Charlotte Independence Head Coach, Mike Jeffries. “Not only does he have the technical abilities in front of goal, but Khori has the desire of a player who will do what he can to make an impact with us and work his way up the ladder.”

Bennett joins the Independence after a previous stint with Philadelphia Fury in the National Independent Soccer Association. Bennett started his college career at Northeastern University where he scored five goals and three assists for the Howlin’ Huskies across three seasons. He later transferred to Radford University and scored three goals with one assist across 15 starts for the Highlanders.

“I would like to thank Coach Mike and the whole coaching staff for this opportunity,” Bennett said. “I am excited to play in front of our amazing fans and to help the team achieve all our goals. I am looking forward to scoring a lot of goals and giving my 100% every day for this team.”

Santos comes to the Independence squad on loan from Charlotte FC after the two clubs announced an affiliation agreement in early April. He recently concluded his collegiate soccer career at San Diego State University.

“Koa is a very technical outside defender with excellent attacking qualities. We anticipate his ability to get up and down the line and create in the final third will be impactful for us,” stated Jeffries. “His ability to take players on and create for himself and others adds another dimension to our attack; his concentration, athleticism, and ability to handle 1 v. 1s will be a positive influence on our team defending.”

Santos became a mainstay for San Diego State across his four years. In his final collegiate season, Santos started in 15 matches, appeared in all 17, and scored one goal with two assists. Across his college career, Santos scored two goals and earned three assists.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of this new affiliation and helping the team achieve its goals while gaining professional experience and building my leadership on the field through games with the Independence,” Santos said.

Santos also spent time with the Portland Timbers U23 in USL League Two and led the Timbers to a Western Conference Final appearance in the 2021 playoffs. Santos was invited to the MLS College Showcase where he was later signed by Charlotte FC.

Zendejas, also on loan from Charlotte FC, began his professional career with Swope Park Rangers in the USL Championship and led the Rangers to the USL Cup Final in 2016, and again in 2017.

While with Swope Park Rangers, Zendejas spent time with Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. While with the club, he appeared in two US Open Cup matches, both wins for Sporting, and appeared in CONCACAF Champions League against Panamanian side C.A. Independiente. He made one appearance in the MLS regular season, a 1-1 draw against FC Cincinnati.

“Having Adrian join us is a huge coup for our team. He brings the experience of over 50 USL Championship games to our roster,” Jeffries said. “Importantly, he is an excellent communicator and can help organize a young back line. His qualities – strong shot stopper, comfortable collecting crosses off his line, as well as capable and comfortable playing from the back fit our style of play well.”

The Charlotte Independence continue their 2022 season on Monday, April 25 against the Richmond Kickers. To view the full schedule and purchase your tickets, please visit charlotteindependence.com/uslleagueoneschedule.

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