Charlotte Independence used an offensive outburst to take down the previously unbeaten Rochester Rhinos Saturday night. The Rhinos entered play Saturday night with a 12-0-7 record only having surrendered one goal in six games this season. But on this hot North Carolina summer evening the Independence who were looking to continue their playoff push cashed in on their opportunities, controlled the pace for most of the match and scored 4 goals on a defensive minded Rochester side that had only given up 6 goals in their previous 19 games.
![Charlotte's Alex Martinez celebrates his goal.]()
- Charlotte’s Alex Martinez celebrates his goal.
The match opened with both teams battling for control in the midfield. Both sides pushed the issue in the first half hour with neither side able to capitalize. Then in the 32nd minute the Rhinos’ Jonny Mendoza tried to make a run down the left hand side but was turned away by Charlotte’s Carlos Alvarez. On the resulting corner kick, Mendoza’s delivery was redirected by Grant Van de Casteele past a diving Matt Lampson to give Rochester the 1-0 advantage.
The Independence wasted little time finding the equalizer as they struck back in the 34th minute. Charlotte’s Bilal Duckett sent a long ball over the top and down the right hand side where forward Tomasz Zahorski out raced the Rochester defense. Zahorski served a cross from the end line back across to the left hand side of the penalty area. Alex Martinez got on the end of the service and sent a curling shot past a charging Brandon Miller and into the top corner of the net. Charlotte struck again three minutes later when Mechack Jerome found Paolo Del Piccolo on the left hand side with a looping pass. Del Piccolo sent a header into the penalty area where Zahorski volleyed a chip-shot over Rochester’s Miller to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
Following the break, the Independence continued their attack. In the 50th minute Ben Newnam found Carlos Alvarez down the right hand side. Alvarez sent a pass to Enzo Martinez just inside the top of the penalty area. Martinez found himself open and blasted a shot past Miller into the back of the net.
In the 59th minute the Rhinos struck back. The Rochester midfield sent a long ball into their attacking half. Charlotte’s Jerome tried to clear the ball but was unable to get his foot on the pass. Rochester’s Christian Volesky raced onto the ball and chipped a shot over Charlotte’s Lampson to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Less than one minute later Charlotte’s Paolo Del Piccolo was taken down in the box and was awarded penalty kick. Carlos Alvarez stepped to the spot and even though the Rhinos’ Miller guessed the right direction Alvarez’s shot was out of his reach at the post and into the back of the net. With the margin at 4-2 the Independence defense stepped up and closed out the win. The four goal outburst matches the largest single game total for the Independence this season.
By The Numbers
- 2145 – Announced Attendance.
- 9 – Shots by the Independence versus 8 shots for Rochester.
- 4 – Goals by the Independence; 1 – Alex Martinez (2), 1 – Tomasz Zahorski (2), 1- Enzo Martinez (2), 1 – Carlos Alvarez (2); Rochester-2; Grant Van de Casteele (1), Christian Volesky (7)
- 4 – Assists for the Independence, 1 – Tomasz Zahorski (1), 1 – Carlos Alvarez (2), 1 – Paolo Del Piccolo (1), 1 – Mechak Jerome (1); Rochester – 1, 1 – Jonny Mendoza (1)
- 0 – Saves by Independence Netminder Matt Lampson versus 1 save by Rochester’s Brandon Miller.
- 5– Yellow Cards – Charlotte 2, Alex Martinez, Carlos Alvarez; Rochester 3, Michael Garzi, Tony Walls, Pat McMahon.
Quotes (From the Independence Press Release and The Charlotte Post)
“I thought the response was great. We pushed the game right away—ended up getting two goals before the half, and I think that showed a lot of character for the guys.” – Independence Coach Mike Jeffries.
“I think we had one of those nights we were waiting for this season. We’ve had a lot of chances in a bunch of games, but hadn’t got the finishes quite right. Tonight the first three were just excellent finishes. It was one of those days where it did go our way. We knew we could create chances, but we didn’t think we would end up getting four.” – Independence Coach Mike Jeffries.
“Those teams bring out the best in us. We’re getting better every day. Our front line came up big today. We had a meeting a few weeks ago; we were like fifth in chances created and 22nd in goals scored. Tonight we created chances and we finished them. That’s the mark of a team that’s already good maybe becoming something a little bit special.” – Independence Defender Bilal Duckett.
Notes
The Charlotte Independence improves to 6-6-5, 23 points in 17 games played and improves to 8th place in the USL’s Eastern Division 2 points behind 7th place Harrisburg and 5 points behind 6th place Pittsburgh.
Against the top four teams in the East, Charlotte has defeated all of them at home (Rochester 4-2; Louisville City 1-0; Charleston 2-1 and Richmond 3-0).
Rochester’s record drops to 12-1-7, 43 points in 20 games and remains in first place in the Eastern Division.
The Independence hosts the New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday August 5th at 7:30 pm.
Rochester returns home to host the Richmond Kickers Sunday, August 9 at 5:05 pm.
Charlotte’s Alex Martinez received a yellow card in the first half, his fifth of the season. He will be forced to sit out Wednesday night’s game against the N.Y. Red Bulls II due to yellow card accumulation.
Independence Captain Jorge Herrera missed his fourth straight game with a calf injury.
