Watching Charlotte lose to Nashville SC on Saturday was frustrating, to put it simply. In the team’s first road test they lost 2–0. The team wasn’t necessarily dominated, but they were certainly outplayed.

And yet, North Carolina FC comes into this game riding a three-game losing streak. They currently have zero points, they have a -4 goal differential after just three games, and they sit in 14th in the Eastern Conference.

Typically when these teams meet, North Carolina FC has been the favorite. But Charlotte’s strong start and NCFC’s lackluster beginning of the season has essentially flip-flopped the two teams.

Let the past go already

The only time the Independence has beaten their rivals from Cary was back in 2015 when they were called the Carolina Railhawks in the U.S. Open Cup, a 1–0 victory for the Jacks. The other two times these two have faced off, NCFC has dominated Charlotte. The goal differential from both those games combined has been 9–1 in NCFC’s favor.

But those last two meetings have no relevance on this meeting.

I’ll explain why plainly and simply: The rosters for both these teams have drastically changed.

Both Charlotte and North Carolina have had a great deal of turnover going into the 2018 USL season. I think most would agree that the team’s best players have departed for various reasons, from Nazmi Albadawi moving to Cincinnati to Enzo Martinez heading to MLS with the Colorado Rapids.

Another reason why those matchups seem irrelevant for this match is that they were both played in Cary.

Charlotte’s roster has gelled rather well to start the 2018 season and they will be playing at home on Saturday… I believe that Charlotte will have a significant advantage.

What a win would mean for Charlotte

To put it simply, revenge. Our small section of Soccer Twitter™ has been ablaze with shots of banter from both supporters groups. It would be immensely empowering and ridiculously joyous for the entire Charlotte fanbase to see us hand North Carolina a fourth straight loss to open their time in USL.

It would also be a step in the right direction to continue the success the team has already had this season, potentially putting the Jacks back atop the Eastern Conference.

To achieve that while continuing our biggest rival’s downward spiral? Man, that would be a sweet victory.

Recent Form

Charlotte: W | W | D | L

North Carolina: L | L | L

Prediction Time

Rumor has it that this game will be decided on the field and not in the stands or on Twitter. Some have speculated that attendance or supporters group banter will be used to determine who wins at the final whistle, but they must not understand the rules of soccer. Maybe they’re fans of some other sport?

I’m done, let’s get to the actual prediction. These two teams couldn’t have started their seasons more differently and we’ve seen numerous goals for the home team every time they’ve taken the pitch at the Sportsplex.

I believe that trend will continue. I’m predicting a 2–0 victory for the Charlotte Independence over North Carolina FC in the N.C. Derby.

COME ON YOU JACKS!