2020 Charlotte Independence season

The 2020 Charlotte Independence season is the club's sixth season of existence, and their sixth in the USL Championship (USLC), the second tier of American soccer. This article covers the period from November 18, 2019, the day after the 2019 USLC Playoff Final, to the conclusion of the 2020 USLC Playoff Final, scheduled for November 12–16, 2020.[1]

Charlotte Independence
2020 season
PresidentJim McPhilliamy
Head coachMike Jeffries
StadiumSportsplex at Matthews
USLConference: TBD
USL PlayoffsTBD
U.S. Open CupSecond round
Biggest defeat1–4
(August 5 at Birmingham)

Review

Pre-season

In December, the club and Mecklenburg County broke ground on renovations to American Legion Memorial Stadium that will upgrade the facility and create a home ground for the Independence through a ten-year lease, with the opening scheduled for Spring of 2021.[2] In January, the club announced that they were retaining seven players from the previous year's roster,[3] while also acknowledging that longtime club presence Alex Martínez would not be among the returnees.[4] Later signings in January included a Congolese midfielder with Ligue 2 experience at AS Béziers (Junior Etou),[5] the 2017 USLC Golden Boot winner Dane Kelly,[6] as well as two rookies (Oscar Ramsay and Casey Penland) from the team's Invitational Combine.[7]

Acquisitions continued apace in February as the club signed a veteran defender (Duke Lacroix),[8] a UNC Charlotte alum with Championship goalkeeping experience (Austin Pack),[9] and a former loanee winger (Derek Gebhard).[10] The club then announced the signing of two of the club's academy players, (Owen Barber) and (Joey Skinner), to professional contracts.[11] A player with U-15 USMNT experience, Rey Ortiz, was brought in from FC Cincinnati on a season-long loan.[12] The next addition was Guido Vadalá, a 23-year-old forward with first-team experience at Argentinian club Boca Juniors.[13]

On the minus side, the club announced the retirement of veteran Charlotte forward Jorge Herrera.[14]

March

Charlotte began their 2020 campaign with a 2–1 victory on the road versus Sporting Kansas City II.[15] In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the league suspended play for 30 days beginning March 12.[16] On March 19, the suspension was further extended to May 10.[17]

June

On June 4, the league announced a tentative date of July 11 for a resumption of play.[18] Later, the league announced that upon resumption of play, teams would be separated into eight regional groups and play enough matches to complete a 16-game schedule.[19] On June 26, the league announced that Charlotte was to be placed into Group G with other regional clubs including Birmingham, Memphis, and North Carolina.[20]

July

Charlotte began their Return To Play action with a 2–2 draw away to Memphis, recovering twice from single goal deficits to bring the match level.[21]

Club

Current roster

As of March 4, 2020[13]

No. Position Player Nation
1 Goalkeeper Austin Pack  United States
2 Defender Shalom Dutey  Togo
3 Defender Hugh Roberts  United States
4 Midfielder Jake Areman  United States
5 Defender Casey Penland  United States
6 Defender Jack Maher (on loan from Nashville SC)  United States
7 Midfielder Rey Ortiz (on loan from FC Cincinnati)  United States
9 Forward Dane Kelly  Jamaica
11 Midfielder Valentin Sabella  Argentina
13 Midfielder Kevan George  Trinidad and Tobago
14 Defender Duke Lacroix  United States
15 Midfielder Luke Haakenson (on loan from Nashville SC)  United States
17 Defender Clay Dimick  United States
19 Forward Enzo Martínez  Uruguay
20 Midfielder Oscar Ramsay  New Zealand
21 Midfielder Brunallergene Etou  Congo
22 Defender Joel Johnson  Liberia
23 Forward Guido Vadalá  Argentina
27 Midfielder Derek Gebhard  United States
32 Forward Tresor Mbuyu  DR Congo
33 Goalkeeper Brandon Miller  United States
34 Defender Owen Barber ([A])  United States
35 Defender Joey Skinner ([A])  United States
  1. ^
    USL Academy Contract
    2.

Competitions

Exhibitions
February 12 Preseason 1Tormenta FC2–4Charlotte IndependenceColumbia, South Carolina
5:00PM EDT Vinyals  (Mayr-Fälten)
Micaletto  (pen.)		 Report  (pen.)


 Stadium: SCUFC Monticello Road Soccer Center
February 15 Preseason 2Charlotte Independence1–1North Carolina FCMatthews, North Carolina
2:00PM EDT Report Miller  7' Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
February 19 Preseason 3Charlotte Independence0–0Stumptown AthleticMatthews, North Carolina
11:00AM EDT Report Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
February 22 Preseason 4Greenville Triumph SC0–2Charlotte IndependenceGreenville, South Carolina
7:00PM EDT Report Stadium: Alumni Stadium
February 29 Preseason 5Atlanta United FCCancelledCharlotte IndependenceMarietta, Georgia
2:00PM EDT Report Stadium: Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta Training Ground

USL Championship
Main article: 2020 USL Championship season

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
6 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 7 4 0 3 18 6 +12 12 Conference Quarterfinals
7 Charleston Battery 7 3 2 2 10 8 +2 11 Play-In Round
8 Charlotte Independence 6 3 2 1 10 11 −1 11
9 Louisville City FC 7 3 1 3 7 7 0 10
10 North Carolina FC 5 2 1 2 4 5 −1 7
Updated to match(es) played on August 16, 2020. Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots

Match results

On December 20, 2019, the USL announced the 2020 season schedule, creating the following fixture list for the early part of Charlotte's season.[1]

March 8 1Sporting Kansas City II1–2Charlotte IndependenceKansas City, Kansas
5:00 PM EDT (UTC–5) Maher  19' (o.g.)
Čuić  79'		 Report Johnson  15'
Gebhard  25'
Kelly  30',  85'		 Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 691
Referee: Lukasz Szpala

As part of the resumption of league play, the following schedule was announced for Charlotte on July 2, 2020.[22]

July 22 2Miami FCP–PCharlotte IndependenceMiami, Florida
TBD PM EDT Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Note: Match postponed to August 23 due to the pandemic impact in the Miami area.[23]
July 26 3Memphis 901 FC2–2Charlotte IndependenceMemphis, Tennessee
8:30 PM EDT Allen  16'
Buckmaster  56',  86'
Reed  90+2'		 Report Etou  37'
Kelly  45+1'
Haakenson  51'
Sabella  83'		 Stadium: AutoZone Park
Referee: Ben Meyer
July 29 4Charlotte IndependenceP–PNorth Carolina FCMatthews, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Note: Match postponed to 8/26/2020 due to Covid19 restrictions in the state of North Carolina.[24]
August 5 5Birmingham Legion4–1Charlotte IndependenceBirmingham, Alabama
8:00 PM EDT Dean  5'
Brett  11',  66'
Lapa  52'		 Report Vadalá  29'
Martínez  76' (pen.)		 Stadium: BBVA Field
Referee: Matthew Thompson
August 8 6Charlotte Independence1–1Charleston BatteryMatthews, North Carolina
7:00 PM EDT Etou  15'
Kelly  38'
Haakenson  90+4'		 Report Maund  42' (o.g.)
Clarke  85'		 Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Referee: Sergii Demianchuk
August 12 7Charlotte Independence1–1Birmingham LegionMatthews, North Carolina
7:00 PM EDT Etou  52'
Kelly  82'		 Report Lopez  3',  90+3'
E. Crognale  47'
Kasim  56'
Asiedu  68'  80'		 Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Referee: John Matto
August 15 8Charlotte Independence3–2Memphis 901 FCMatthews, North Carolina
7:00 PM EDT Johnson  30'
Kelly  53'
Martinez  60' (pen.)
Lacroix  65'
Haakenson  69'		 Report Segbers  13',  72'
Mentzingen  51'
Muckette  90+4'		 Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
August 23 2Miami FCvCharlotte IndependenceMiami, Florida
TBD PM EDT Stadium: Riccardo Silva Stadium
August 26 4Charlotte IndependencevNorth Carolina FCMatthews, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
August 29 9Charlotte IndependencevBirmingham LegionMatthews, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
September 2 10Memphis 901 FCvCharlotte IndependenceMemphis, Tennessee
TBA PM EDT Stadium: AutoZone Park
September 5 11Charlotte IndependencevNorth Carolina FCMatthews, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
September 12 12Birmingham LegionvCharlotte IndependenceBirmingham, Alabama
TBA PM EDT Stadium: BBVA Field
September 19 13North Carolina FCvCharlotte IndependenceCary, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park
September 23 14Charlotte IndependencevMiami FCMatthews, North Carolina
TBD PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
September 26 15Charlotte IndependencevMemphis 901 FCMatthews, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
September 30 16North Carolina FCvCharlotte IndependenceCary, North Carolina
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2020 U.S. Open Cup

As a USL Championship club, the Independence will enter the competition in the Second Round, to be played April 7–9.[25]

April 7 Second roundCharlotte Independence P–P Stumptown AthleticMatthews, North Carolina
7:00 p.m. EDT Stadium: Sportsplex at Matthews
Note: Match postponed due to coronavirus pandemic[26]
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References
  1. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". USL Championship. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  2. "Mecklenburg County Host American Legion Memorial Stadium Ground Breaking Ceremony". Charlotte Independence. December 16, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  3. "Independence Announce Initial Roster Moves for 2020". Charlotte Independence. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  4. "Thank you, Alex". Charlotte Independence. January 16, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  5. "Etou Enforces Independence Midfield". Charlotte Independence. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  6. "Independence Pick Up Championship All-Time Leading Scorer". Charlotte Independence. January 27, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  7. "Invitational Rookie Duo Signed to Independence". Charlotte Independence. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  8. "Independence Scoop Speedy, Championship Leftback". Charlotte Independence. February 10, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  9. "UNC Charlotte Standout Bolsters Independence". Charlotte Independence. February 10, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  10. "Independence Return Former Loan Midfielder". Charlotte Independence. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  11. "Pro Teams Signs Independence SC Players". Charlotte Independence. February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  12. "Independence Receive MLS Rookie from FC Cincinnati". Charlotte Independence. February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  13. "Boca Juniors Product Added to Independence". Charlotte Independence. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  14. "Jorge Herrera Retires". Charlotte Independence. February 20, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  15. "Recap: Sporting KC II takes 2-1 loss to Charlotte Independence in season opener". sportingkc.com. March 8, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  16. "USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play". uslchampionship.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  17. "USL Championship Extends Temporary Suspension of Season". uslchampionship.com. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  18. "USL Championship Announces July 11 Return". uslchampionship.com. June 4, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  19. "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Season Format". uslchampionship.com. June 24, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  20. "Championship Return to Play Preview – Group G". uslchampionship.com. June 26, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  21. "Charlotte Independence Comes From Behind Twice To Earn A 2-2 Draw On The Road Vs Memphis 901 FC". charlotteindependence.com. July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  22. "USL Championship Unveils Revised 2020 Regular Season Schedule". uslchampionship.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  23. "Miami FC Match Slated for July 22 Changed to August 23". miamifc.com. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  24. "Charlotte Independence Postpones Home Match Against North Carolina FC". charlotteindependence.com. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  25. "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  26. "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to COVID-19 Outbreak". ussoccer.com. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
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