Charlotte Independence back in action vs. Union Omaha

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

The Charlotte Independence return from a two-week break for a match against Union Omaha Saturday at Matthews Sportsplex.

With a two-week break from their last match, the Charlotte Independence are home for the first time since downing Greenville Triumph 1-0 in USL League One play. 

Home is the operative term here as the Jacks will play at the Matthews Sportsplex Stadium, as another brand of football will be taking place at their primary home, American Legion Memorial Stadium. The USA National Rugby Team will host Spain in the second of two international matches played in Charlotte this summer. The USA beat Belgium 36-17 in the first-ever match between the two countries on July 5. 

Kickoff for the Independence will be 7 p.m. against Union Omaha.

Back to the Jacks

The Independence drew with Loudon, a Championship division side, 1-1 in a Jägermeister Cup match but lost out on the extra point in a penalty kick shootout. They are equal with Louisville City on six points in Cup Group five but in third place on goal differential (plus-3 to plus-1). The top two teams in the six-team group will move on. This year’s format includes all Championship and USL One division teams, whereas last season was confined to USL One.

The week prior, the Jacks fell to Texoma 3-2 on the road in league play, breaking a four-game unbeaten streak. Charlotte (7-3-3) stands third in the table on 24 points behind AV Alta (7-3-4, 25) and first place Spokane Velocity (8-1-5, 25) but has a game in hand on both.

Union busters

Charlotte will be looking to put Union Omaha down quickly as a win will put them back into second with AV Alta not playing until Wednesday.

Currently mired in 12th place, and on a three-game losing streak, Omaha was the best team in the league during the 2024 regular season with a 15-4-3 record that saw them finish seven points ahead of second-place Northern Colorado Hailstorm. They also won their second postseason tournament title to claim the double.

On Wednesday, Union announced that Vincenzo Candela will be appointed as the club’s interim head coach, taking over after the departure of Dominic Casciato to the Championship division Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Charlotte coach Mike Jeffries is still in the process of building his team after losing two key players to the Championship division. Luis Alvarez was sold to Tampa Bay for the highest-ever transfer fee paid in a move from a USL League One club to a USL Championship side, and Alfredo Midence was recalled from his loan by Lexington SC.

Jeffries, the longest tenured coach in USL One has brought in 23-year-old Honduran midfielder Nata Martinez on a 25-day contract, pending league and federation approval. 
“Nata has impressed us on trial with his energy, work rate, and capacity to play a couple of positions on our roster. He will provide depth and competition in wide areas, especially as we enter a busy stretch of our season,” said Jeffries.

While Martinez will be looking to make his professional debut, South African forward Tumi Moshobane, 30, is a seasoned veteran who joins the club after appearing in 16 games across all competitions this season with USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive. 

“Adding Tumi provides us another dynamic attacking option,” Jeffries noted. “Tumi is a player who can create off the dribble, find a dangerous pass in the final third, and finish opportunities. His ability to play any role in the front four and his success in both Championship and League One make him a valuable addition to our squad. In addition, Tumi has familiarity with Charlotte, and with his character and work ethic, Tumi will fit in well with the group.”

In June, Charlotte added Tresor Mbuyu and Brazilian winger Pedro Fonseca, who last played for fellow USL League One side South Georgia Tormenta FC in 2023 and 2024. 

A newcomer, Fonseca, 28, appeared in 61 matches for Tormenta over the past two seasons and tallied 14 goals in that time, including seven in league play last season. His seven goals were the second-most on the team and helped earn Fonseca 2024 USL League One All-League Second Team honors.

Mbuyu, on the other hand, is well-known to Independence fans. He returns to the Jacks after playing the past five seasons with Charlotte.

“We are happy to announce Tresor’s return,” said Jeffries. “His comfort level with the group and success playing with us in previous years will make his entry into the group seamless. As he has trained with us, he is familiar with our current group and style of play and will give us a dynamic attacking option as we enter a busy part of our schedule.”

Mbuyu, 28, spent the early part of this season as a free agent. He joined Charlotte in 2020 and scored 21 goals in 98 total appearances over five seasons. He had a breakout year in 2022, scoring 11 goals and assisting on five, while starting in 27 of 28 league matches.

Mbuyu netted nine goals in 36 total matches and made five appearances on the USL League One Team of the Week in 2023. 

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