PHOTO | TROY HULL

The Charlotte Independence, who missed the USL Championship playoffs in 2019, are looking to retool in 2020.

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It is business as usual for the Charlotte Independence.

Preseason begins on Jan. 27, and the USL Championship announced home openers. The Jacks open the regular season at Sporting Kansas City II on March 8, followed by their home opener on March 14 at the Sportsplex at Matthews against Pittsburgh. Having concrete dates gives the upcoming season an extra layer of reality, according to Independence head coach and general manager Mike Jeffries.

“It’s always nice when the schedule is out,” he said. “It adds some realism to what’s coming up. That’s pretty exciting. We’re looking forward to our home opener the following weekend. It’s been an interesting offseason.”

Charlotte endured a hectic 2019 campaign, in which they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second straight season with a 9-14-11 record and 38 points—13th in the Eastern Conference. It was the first time the Independence did not produce a 10-win season, going 2-6-9 on the road and 7-8-2 at home, with Jim McGuinness as head coach from December 2018 to June 12, 2019. Jeffries, who shifted from head coach to general manger when McGuinness was hired, wore both hats the remainder of the season. He will continue to operate in both roles for 2020.

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While club President Jim McPhilliamy initially said in 2014 that making the jump from USL to MLS was the goal, he has since reiterated a new objective of bringing the best quality soccer possible to the area. In April he merged three youth clubs (Discoveries, Lake Norman and Carolina Rapids) to form a mega youth system under the Charlotte Independence banner. It also encompasses USL2 and WPSL sides.

A separate ownership group led by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was awarded the 30th MLS expansion franchise last month and begins play in 2021. However, Jeffries said that does not change the Independence’s 2020 plans.

“We are just going about our business as we always do,” he said. “Just trying to prep and get the best group we can together for the season. I don’t think it changes too much in that regard.”

Preseason dates as well as a squad have yet to be officially announced by the Independence. However, expected returners are strikers Enzo Martinez and Jorge Herrera, goalkeeper Brandon Miller, defenders Hugh Roberts and Joel Johnson, midfielders Kevan George, Jake Areman, Valentin Sabella and Clay Dimick.

“We have enough to play,” Jeffries said.

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