We thought this would be an entertaining one. It did not disappoint.

The first I-85 Derby between Charlotte Independence and Atlanta United 2 ended in a 2–2 draw after a back-and-forth game that honestly felt like an off night for Charlotte.

While the team played borderline poorly, there were still a few positives. The biggest positive I’ll take from this game is this: In years past when Charlotte played this poorly, the team would have ended the night with zero points.

This game saw Charlotte do something it hadn’t had to do this year: come back from a goal down. Atlanta looked like a team on a mission. Fortunately for Charlotte, the Independence have a veteran player who has essentially been through it all. Jorge Herrera continued to turn back the clock and scored two skillful goals. To see the team take a point from this game, considering the game flow — I’m OK with it.

Three who mattered

Charlotte’s attack: Essentially the entire league had dismissed Charlotte’s attack due to Enzo Martinez moving up to the Rapids. I think it’s time to put that narrative to bed. Numerous times during this game we had the three-headed monster of Cordell Cato , Herrera , and Caleb Calvert collectively and cohesively threaten Atlanta. The evolution of Charlotte’s attack into a multidimensional one is something I’m excited to see.

Essentially the entire league had dismissed Charlotte’s attack due to Enzo Martinez moving up to the Rapids. I think it’s time to put that narrative to bed. Numerous times during this game we had the three-headed monster of , , and collectively and cohesively threaten Atlanta. The evolution of Charlotte’s attack into a multidimensional one is something I’m excited to see. Jorge Herrera: Don’t call him old, call him seasoned. To have Herrera start the year in such excellent form is a sight to behold. He has scored four goals with six chances created, and has a conversion rate of 66.7 percent. He’s currently tied for first in the league with two other players for most goals. It’s safe to assume that we’ll see him on the ballot for player of the month for March.

Jack Metcalf: Atlanta’s captain impressed me a lot during this game. His grit was something that it appears their entire team has embodied. He might not have filled the stat sheet, but his ability to frustrate Alex Martinez continually was palpable.

Up next

Charlotte will be making the trip to Tennessee to face Nashville SC at 8:30 p.m. April 7. The Fighting Six Strings are coming off the team’s first-ever win, a 1–0 victory over Bethlehem.

Box score

Charlotte — 2

Atlanta — 2

Goals

Charlotte Independence: Jorge Herrera 37', 85'

ATL UTD 2: Own Goal 28', Lagos Kunga 82'