Charlotte Independence keep scoring in bundles

STEVE GOLDBERG | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Charlotte Independence forward Souaibou Marou, USL 1's Golden Boot winner with 18 goals, leads an attack that set a season record for goals with 74.

The Charlotte Independence are now just two games away from the USL One championship title.

After running roughshod over an in-form FC Naples in the quarterfinal, the Jacks will host Forward Madison on Sunday (7 p.m.) at American Legion Memorial Stadium in a semifinal.

Naples were on an eight-game unbeaten run with six straight wins before landing in the Queen City. But that didn’t stop the dark blue wave that the Independence have been this season, who had put five in the net by the last whistle. Final score: 5-1.

Fourth-seeded Madison has also put together a big run this season, nine games unbeaten with seven consecutive wins from mid-June to the beginning of August, advanced with a 2-1 win over Spokane Velocity FC. Their 56 goals in the regular season were second-best to the 74 netted by the Jacks, but their defense was tops in the league with only 31 conceded. Charlotte gave up 47 goals. 

Home advantage is real for the Jacks, who went 14-1-1 at home during the regular season. Madison was 7-7-2 on the road.

Goal oriented

The Jacks’ attack set a new season record for goals scored with those 74 strikes.

It would be cliché to say the Jacks are scoring just for fun, as this is a team focused on results. But, to a man, they will say it’s fun as well. 

“The simple answer is both,” said coach Mike Jeffries, “though the reality is that the team is about finding ways to win games (the fun part), and scoring goals quite obviously helps. The group enjoys playing together and working to help each other, and the group succeed.”

Souaibou Marou, who was awarded the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals, agrees. 

“It's a bit of both, really. We have fun on the pitch because we genuinely enjoy playing together and sharing that collective energy, and scoring so many goals is the direct result of that great chemistry, hard work, and relentless effort from the whole squad.”

Said Stéfano Pinho, the team’s designated hitter as he’s come off the bench twice to score two goals in a game: “When a team enjoys playing together, the goals come naturally, and when the goals come, you enjoy it even more. We're in a great moment, everybody's confident, everybody plays for each other. We just want to keep both going on Sunday.”

We see you

Their collective success keeps bringing in individual honors. Two were earned over the course of the season. Marou got the boot while Jon Bakero was named the Golden Playmaker with a new USL1 record of 18 assists. 

This week, five Independence players were named to the All-League teams. Along with Bakero and Marou, goalkeeper Matt Levy and centerback Javen Romero all made the First Team, while defender Joey Skinner was named to the Second Team. 

The lighter blue wave 

High-scoring matches must be contagious. Since a gut-wrenching loss in Portland on Oct. 24, Charlotte FC rebounded with two comprehensive wins over the next seven days, scoring a quartet of goals in each while conceding none. The Crown downed both Montreal and arch-nemesis Orlando City by 4-0 scorelines.

A win in Miami on Decision Day could give them a chance to claim the coveted fourth place in the MLS East and the home advantage that comes with it, but that would rely on a Chicago Fire loss or draw at home against Columbus Crew. If that happens, the tiebreakers fall in favor of the Crown.

The first is number of wins, so a victory in Florida would even Charlotte with Chicago at 16. The next is goal differential, where CLTFC is plus-4 to the Fire’s plus-11.

Both games have something on the line for all involved. Inter Miami (16-6-11, 59 points) sits in second place but only one point ahead of the New England Revolution (18-11-4, 58).

Charlotte will have to play Inter Messi without new playmaker and dribbling sensation Allan Saint-Maximin, who received a red card late against Orlando after responding to a verbal provocation from an Orlando player with what the league called an offensive gesture. 

Coach Dean Smith recognized the absence of Maxi’s impact but expressed confidence in what he has.

“I believe when any team loses a DP, it should be impactful because that’s what DP status is, you know. But it gives an opportunity for others. We missed him against Portland. Still went and scored two goals. So, there’s goals within the team, and it's an opportunity for others. But I think when any of your top players are out, it’s going to have an impact.”

It could mean a longer run in the midfield for the latest addition to the roster, Abdoulaye Doucouré, who scored his first MLS goal on Saturday.

STEVE GOLDBERG | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Charlotte FC midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré celebrates his first MLS goal against Orlando City on Oct. 31, 2026.

“The group's good,” he said. They’re a good set of lads. They push each other every day. 

“I'm more impressed with the ones who haven't been playing regular, because I think that’s a really tough situation. You work all week, leading into a game you don’t play, and it can be so frustrating. But the attitude and application of that group has had to make sure they've kept themselves ready should they need to step in. I haven’t got a qualm with any of them stepping in at any time because of the work that they've done.”

Nashville SC has already clinched the Supporters Shield, running away with a 22-3-8 record (74 points) and could set a new record for wins in a season with another one on Saturday.

Top of the mountain

The Ascent were the only team not to score prolifically last week; however, they continue to be the best team in the Gainbridge Super League. They will play in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon. (2 p.m. on Peacock)

In this shortened 14-game sprint season, each GSL team will face the other seven home and away. For the second time, they took down the defending champion Lexington SC by a 1-0 score.
Statistically, Lexington was better in most every category except the one that matters most – goals.

Emily Moxley’s strike from the top of the penalty area in the 32nd minute on an assist from Rylee Baisden, was the difference. It was the first professional goal for the third-year player out of UNC. It was also her first start of the season, and just fourth overall in 27 appearances, coming in at right back in place of Addie Merrick, out with injury.

“Mox has had highs and lows, and she’s had to be patient at times,” said coach Philip Poole. “She’s a person who comes in every day, works hard, and that’s why we keep her year on year. Hopefully, she’ll look at this as a spot where she can take her opportunity and keep on.”

Poole had started the same lineup for nine straight matches before Merrick’s injury necessitated Meaghan Nally replacing her against Fort Lauderdale the previous week.

The injury to Merrick and Mia Corbin necessitated Taylor Porter and Moxley taking their places. Porter played every minute of the inaugural season as team captain but had taken a supporting role with the addition of Shea Groome and Lily Nabet into the midfield.

It was the eighth shutout for goalkeeper Sydney Martinez and the collective defense this season and the 19th overall for the Puerto Rican national team keeper, which coincidentally leveled her with teammate Hope Hisey, who joined the Ascent after the folding of Spokane at the end of last season.

The Ascent are 8-1-2 with 26 points after 11 games, 9 more points than second-place DC Power, and 10 more than Sporting Jax, both with a game in hand.

With three games left, the Ascent have already clinched a playoff spot. Now it’s about claiming a second Players’ Shield and winning a title. After the match in Brooklyn, they have a bye week, then another road game at Jacksonville (Nov. 21) and a finale against Dallas at home (Nov. 28).    

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