Independence roster takes shape ahead of season opener

PHOTO | TROY HULL

Garinger High graduate Tresor Mbuyu, who tallied a career-best 11 goals for the Charlotte Independence in 2022, returns to the team in 2023.

The Charlotte Independence’s 2023 roster is filling out a month before the season opener.

Nine players with previous experience in Charlotte are returning to the USL League One side in addition to a first-year player from Honduras. The  season kicks off on Saturday, March 18 against Richmond Kickers at Memorial Stadium.

Here’s a look at the squad as assembled:

• Héctor Acosta - The defender from Venezuela returns after making 15 starts for the Jacks in 2022. He scored two goals and earned an assist.

• Luis Álvarez - The 20-year-old midfielder joins Charlotte from Lobos UPNFM in the Honduran Liga Nacional, where he started in 10 of 18 matches last year.

• Khori Bennett - The Jacks’ co-leading goal scorer in 2022, Bennett tallied 11 goals and four assists last season, including Charlotte’s only hat trick in a 4-1 win against Central Valley Fuego FC.

• Omar Ciss - A key piece in midfield, he led the Independence in tackles (34) and duels won (142) last year. Ciss earned first team USL League One and was a Young Player of the Year nominee.

• Clay Dimick – The Independence’s captain returns for a fifth season after starting every game last year and tied for the team lead with 37 interceptions.

• Shalom Dutey – Charlotte’s leader in clearances, blocks and interceptions started 28 of 31 appearances in 2022 while scoring four goals in all competitions, including one in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

• Miguel Ibarra - Ibarra a.k.a "Batman" returns after leading the Jacks in assists in 2022. He brings MLS and U.S. Men's National Team experience previously playing for the Seattle Sounders and Minnesota United and making three appearances for the USMNT.

• Tresor Mbuyu – In his second season with Charlotte, the Garinger High graduate broke out in 2022, tying Bennett for the team lead with 11 goals and earning USL League One Player of the Month for April.

• Gabriel Obertan – It’s Obertan's third year with the Independence, but his first full season with the club. The midfielder played in the English Premier League with Manchester United and Newcastle United before coming to the U.S.

• Austin Pack – The goalkeeper was a key member of the 2021 club’s historic final USL Championship season. Pack recorded 51 saves and six clean sheets during that campaign to help Charlotte win their first-ever playoff match.

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