PHOTO | ASHLEY MAHONEY

The Charlotte Independence Soccer Club won the Elite Clubs National League under 18-19 national championship with a 1-0 win against San Diego Surf in Greensboro.

National success belongs to the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club.

They beat San Diego Surf 1-0 to win the Elite Clubs National League under 18/19 national title on July 8 at Bryan Park in Greensboro to end a year of navigating uncertain territory amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Their season ran from early August through late May, with playoffs kicking off on July 3.

While much of the world was still shut down when they began training last summer, it wasn’t the first hurdle the club would face. U.S. Soccer shut down the Development Academy in April 2020 due to the financial impact of the pandemic, which forced youth clubs across the country to adjust. The Independence joined ECNL, and while teams were eligible for a shot at postseason glory, the pandemic forced everyone to stay home.

“It was a really hard year for them, because they had nothing to play for in the end with all their accomplishments,” Academy director and U-18/19 coach Jeff Bilyk said.

Most of the team had been together since age 15. They set the goal of reaching the playoffs, and the rest took care of itself. They beat PDA 4-3 on penalties after a 4-all draw, Real So Cal 1-0 and FSA FC 5-1 on successive days to reach the final. 

“We came in with a group of players we thought were obviously one of our special groups, that we had an opportunity to get to this point at the end of the year,” Bilyk said. “Credit to them. They work their butts off, they're working credibly hard, and then for them to achieve this is pretty special for themselves and the club.”

Twin brothers Logan and Chase Gilley were crucial to Charlotte’s success. They enrolled at UNC Greensboro for the spring semester but returned to finish what they started.

“From day one they said, ‘Coach, when we qualify and we make the playoffs, we're going to come back and play in that event,’” Bilyk said.

The twins also played for the club’s inaugural USL League Two side over the summer, along with Noah Behrmann, Lucas Hatsios, Dylan Mitchiner and Joey Skinner. The latter three earned academy contracts with the USL Championship side of the same name last summer. Mitchiner left early for West Point and did not participate in the playoffs.

“They deserve the success they've had at this event,” Bilyk said. “It's been a combination of a lot of hard work over the years, and then for them to be able to come through and have the success that they had, it’s been amazing. I’m super proud of these guys for being able to accomplish this.”

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