(editor’s note: we’ll focus on the game at hand here… more hype about what the stadium means for fans of the team coming from our Alex Warren tomorrow.)

It’s a big day for the Charlotte Independence. Two teams seeking wins meet for the inaugural match in Matthews.

This matchup could fairly easily be assessed by looking at each team’s form. If you look at the Independence’s form they’re still seeking a rhythm for the season. Coming into Saturday’s matchup they had played three games in a week against some of the fiercest competition in the USL’s Eastern Conference. In that stretch, they tied both the Tampa Bay Rowdies and FC Cincinnati and lost to Louisville FC. That’s two points from nine, but considering the opposition, not all bad.

The Islanders are in a similar situation, but they haven’t won in almost two months in the league. Their last win came against Bethlehem Steel FC on April 15th. In their defense, they have had a number of draws in that span, four to be exact, but they also have four losses. In their last nine USL games, their form looks like this… dreadful: W-D-L-L-D-D-D-L-L.

Mischievous Midfielder

Although Harrisburg may not have a star player, and although they haven’t won in their last eight league games, that doesn’t mean they don’t have talent. A model of consistency for the Islanders has been their right 26-year-old center defensive midfielder: Rasheed Olabiyi has started all but one game this season and is a disruptive force in the midfield.

In the 10 games that he has started, Olayibi has accumulated 27 tackles coupled with 27 interceptions. Not only does he lead the team in interceptions, he also has attempted the most passes while having the best passing accuracy. Rasheed will look to continue his consistency in the midfield and deter the Independence attack.

And watch out: Olabiyi can turn defense into offense quickly.

#AirMizell

The Charlotte Independence’s season has been filled with changes in our starting 11. We talked about this on Episode 002 of #SNSTWeekly:

However, one thing that has stayed constant is Cody Mizell between the pipes. He has started every game this season and has made more than a few incredible saves. Even though we have given up a number of goals, “Cody Cody” has been a true game changer for us. His pure talent and ability have singlehandedly kept us in games.

Just watch any of his games and you can tell he was born to play the position. He has even gained the interest of our partner club the Colorado Rapids after last season’s performance. This summer, he was given his first MLS contract with the Rapids. Luckily for us, he was subsequently loaned back to us for the season, as the Rapids have Timmy Howard in net.

Intensity, thy name is Mizell:

The Enzo Effect

At the end of our three-games-in-one-week stint, the biggest disappointment wasn’t only drawing with FC Cincinnati but losing Enzo for the upcoming game in the waning minutes of that match. At Nippert Stadium, Enzo was surprisingly given his 2nd yellow card of the match for dissent.

If you have watched any of Enzo’s matches, it is clear to see that he is an intense player who likes to talk. However, I didn’t feel like this was a warranted booking, especially considering it came in the 90th minute of play.

Regardless of how I feel about the situation, the fact remains: we will be without our #1 player on Saturday night.

Now, the question remains how we will adjust given his absence. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that we aren’t the same team without Enzo in the lineup. Take his first full game back against St. Louis as evidence: he was on fire and made some tremendous plays, scoring two to give the Jacks their first win in 2017.

There is truly no replacing a player of his caliber and creative ability.

Nevertheless, Coach Jeffries will have to find a way to create offense without him. I personally would love to see Lewis Hilton take the helm of CAM in Enzo’s absence, but I don’t realistically see that happening.

Below you will find my projected lineup for Saturday’s match.

This is assuming that Bilal Duckett isn’t playing; I’d prefer him over Fairclough.

Room To Improve On Offense

Much like the Independence earlier in the season, the Islanders haven’t quite found their stride in front of the net. In 11 games this season, they have only totaled nine goals. Statistically, that comes up to 110 minutes per goal.

In comparison, Indy has scored a goal every 60 minutes. One might wonder what is causing this offensive ineptitude, so let’s look at total shots and shots on target first.

You would expect Harrisburg to have a decent advantage in both of those categories since they have played one more game. However, that is not the case: in fact they only have four more total shots and actually trail Indy with shots on target by seven.

If you take into consideration the Islanders conversion rate, the situation only looks more grim. Currently they are tied for 3rd last in that category in the Eastern Conference with a 10% conversion rate.

The proof is in the pudding… or in this case the stats available on uslsoccer.com

Prediction Time

Admittedly, I have been way off on my predictions more often than not. I predicted a draw back when we faced NYRBII (the Jacks won 5–1). After a few weeks off, I then predicted a 1–0 win for the Independence against the Rowdies to close out their time at Eagle Field (the game tied 2–2). Last but not least, I was again considerably off saying that Indy would beat FC Cincinatti by the margin of 3–2 (Nope, the teams tied 1–1).

Ultimately I may have to rename this section to “Ignorance Time” or the less catchy version, “laugh as Ben tries to read his cloudy Magic 8 Ball.”

Since we got that out of the way, back to the important part. I’m predicting, or should I say “predicting,” the Independence will handily take home the three points. I believe that the scoreline will be 2–0 and the Charlotte Independence will truly have a “celebration of soccer.” I’m looking for goals to come from Alex Martinez and Lewis Hilton. Mighty Mizell will have another stellar game and get his much deserved first clean sheet of the year. COYJ.