Charlotte Independence make history with win streak

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE

The Charlotte Independence extended their win streak to a club record seven with a 4-3 win against FC Naples on June 13 at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

The Charlotte Independence’s win streak is now historic.

The Jacks’ 4-3 win against FC Naples 4-3 on June 13 was the club’s seventh straight in USL League One matches, topping the old streak of six and pulled them to within two points of first-place Union Omaha. As has been the case in Charlotte’s (8-2-2) recent run, their best players had a hand in their success. Midfielder Luis Alvarez extended his League One goal total to nine with a brace as well as an assist against Naples.

“I’ve achieved this stretch through hard work, effort, and dedication,” he said, “and thanks to the confidence my coach and the technical staff have in me — as well as the trust my teammates place in my work every single day, treating me as if I hadn’t scored at all this season.”

Souaibou Marou scored for the fourth straight game and Viggo Ortiz scored the game-winning goal and Christopher Jaime added a pair of assists to double his total against Naples in their two matches. Naples pushed Charlotte to dig deep by twice equalizing after falling behind.

“That’s the will of the group,” Charlotte coach Mike Jeffries said. “(It) was about resilience. Wednesday was a hard game and a good result for us, for sure. Then to come back three days later — even though both games were at home — takes resilience. To stay in the game after conceding the lead twice is a credit to the guys.”

Charlotte dictated terms early and Alvarez opened the scoring six minutes in when he blasted a shot into the net after Marou’s shot bounced off the goalpost into a crowded 6-yard box. They threatened to double their lead in the 18th minute when Enzo Martinez’s sailed over the crossbar. Naples, though, equalized a minute later when William Arevalo finished a pass by Kevin O’Connor. 

Charlotte pulled ahead in the 59th minute when Marou extended his scoring streak after Jaime drove a low cross into the 6-yard box for Marou’s finish from point-blank range. 
Naples pulled even in the 68th minute when Luca Mastrantonio finished to the back of the net after the ball made it to his feet after a scramble in front of goal.

Charlotte was up to the challenge, though. Jaime located Alvarez in space nearly 25 yards from goal, and he curled a low strike with his right foot into the side netting in the 82nd for his second goal. Ortiz came off the bench in the 71st minute, doubled the Jacks’ advantage in the 86th by creating space against the defense to nail a curling finish in the 86th minute.

“He’s got an engine that’s ridiculous,” Jeffries said of Jaime. “We marvel at it almost every game. The play at the end of the game where he steps in, wins the ball, moves it forward and creates a chance — that’s in the 94th minute. The guy has been playing straight through and running more than anybody else, and he still has that in him.”

Said Ortiz: “It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve been dealing with some injuries and working my way back, but I’ve just kept my head up, kept pushing, and kept working hard every day. I live for those moments, and when I got my chance, I made sure to make the most of it. Seven wins in a row is huge. Every day we’ve been working, working, working, and we’re ready to achieve more. We just keep pushing each other and raising the standard.”

Comments