MATTHEWS—The Charlotte Independence look different.

Ten of their 11 signed players, and even more trialists, wrapped up a muggy start to the season.

“We’re in the process with signings and getting guys sorted, so we haven’t got the entire group together yet,” coach Mike Jeffries said.
The ninth signee, all-time leading scorer and two-time USL MVP finalist Enzo Martinez, is training with the Colorado Rapids, Charlotte’s MLS affiliate. The striker may remain in Colorado into the USL regular season.

“Enzo is irreplaceable,” Jeffries said. “There’s one Enzo in terms of how he plays and what he does. If he’s not involved with us, obviously we’re going to look a little bit different in terms of how we play. Maybe it’s more with two strikers or having a different player in that role, or a little bit different role for that spot. For Enzo, we’re delighted for him. It would be a great step up, and a tribute to him, and what he has put into the last three years essentially. Certainly a deserved opportunity for him.”

Charlotte returns defenders Bilal Duckett, Joel Johnson and Donnie Smith, who spent a significant portion of 2017 on loan with the Jacks from New England; midfielders Yann Ekra Alex Martinez and Jorge Herrera, who along with Enzo Martinez are the only two players in franchise history to record a hat trick.
“Obviously it’s nice to have Donnie in from the start,” Jeffries said. “Having our captain back was important. Having Alex back and ready to go was important. The starting point is really good. We’ll continue to build on it from there.

“[There are] probably more changes this year than last year. It’ll be an interesting preseason in that regard. Maybe a couple more openings for young guys, trialists to come in and impress us. There may be a little bit of change in terms of what we do, and how we go about it with some of the guys we have coming in. We can’t change that much, because we still have Joel and Alex and Jorge and so on coming back in.”

Charlotte signed four additions, Trinidad and Tobago national team member Kevan George, who replacing midfielders Callum Ross and Jun Marques Davidson, and 2015 USL goalkeeper of the year Brandon Miller, who steps in for Cody Mizell and Kyle Renfro, as well as two 18-year olds: defender Calvin Doum from Cameroon and Charlotte Soccer Academy midfielder Daniel Steedman, who joins the Jacks on an academy contract.

“Jun was one of my best friends on the team last year, so I’m going to miss him, but I can’t think of a better replacement for what this team is and strives to be,” Duckett said. “He’s got a good possession oriented type game, and he’s going to shield our back four very, very well, which is going to continue to help us lock teams down, being able to play that attacking brand of football where we push our outside backs high.”

Said George: “I want more from myself. I’m not satisfied—I’m always hungry.”

Miller, who played collegiately at UNC Wilmington, grew up watching the Charlotte Eagles play.

“I got to train with the Eagles a lot in high school and college,” said Miller, who played at Charlotte Country Day and Charlotte Soccer Academy. “When the Independence came in, it was obviously something I was interested in, coming back home and playing. The time was never right the past few years. I’ve been to a couple different places [Harrisburg, Rochester and Orange County Blues]. Now, it felt like it was the right time to come back home, and get involved with my hometown team.”

Said Jeffries: “[Miller’s] ability to read plays, and be quick off his line, to kind of sniff out attacks and close things down, and his ability to organize the back group and help keep shape is a plus. We tend to play at times with a pretty high line. Having those two attributes in place is huge for us.”

Charlotte opens against Ottawa on March 17 at the Sportsplex.  

Comments