The Charlotte Independence took their five-game winning streak and six-game unbeaten run on the road to face the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday afternoon. The game opened with the Independence struggling to find a rhythm passing the ball due to NYRBII’s high press… and also because the game appeared to be played on carpet.

It was New York on the front foot early, but the Jacks were up for the test. In the 15th minute, the Baby Bulls had a great chance to take an early lead when Douglas Martinez was played in on the counter attack, but Cody Mizell came up with a save to keep the game at 0–0.

The Jacks settled down and found the touch on the turf and started orchestrating some solid attacks. This ultimately led to the breakthrough goal from (who else?) the Charlotte legend, Jorge Herrera.

Hip Hip! JORGE!

I’m running out of words to describe Jorge Herrera’s performance of late. Herrera made some magic in the 21st minute after Joel Johnson drew a free kick just outside the 18 yard box. Then, Jorge put the ball up and around the NY wall and left the keeper with no choice but to watch it go in the net. That was Herrera’s 50th USL goal, good for second all time: there’s a reason we call him a legend around here.

The rest of the first half was mainly each team making tactical adjustments back and forth. Charlotte was holding a lot of the possession and started to press higher up the field like they do when they are in control. It took a while, but New York started to break that pressure and create mismatches, so Charlotte adjusted by sitting deep and allowing NY to pass the ball around in their own half but stopped them from creating much in the final third.

The second goal of the game was scored right on the brink of halftime, and it was created once again by Joel Johnson overlapping down the right side. He put in a dangerous cross towards Herrera making a good run to the back post and Hassan Ndam was forced to make a sliding attempt to clear the ball. His attempt ended up in the back of the net for an own goal.

Much like the last time these teams met, Red Bulls II looked pretty lethargic to start the second half. Charlotte was able to take advantage of this in the 53rd minute after NY took a free kick short that was quickly turned over. Austin Yearwood took it down the left wing and put in a great cross to Herrera making a run down the right. Herrera played it across into Enzo Martinez’ path who finished it past the keeper. It was a clinical counter attack.

With the Independence in complete control of the game, they kept pushing for a fourth goal. They were able to create good chances but ultimately couldn’t find the finishes. In the 60th minute, Enzo Martinez found Herrera at the top of the box, and with the keeper rushing out the net was open, but Herrera’s shot had too much on it and went over the crossbar.

In the 72nd minute, David Estrada found Joel Johnson on the end of another brilliant counter attack, but somehow Johnson’s shot hit the inside of the left post and bounced out. After watching it several times, it still makes no sense how the ball didn’t hit the post and go in, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

In the 82nd minute, the game was turned on its head by the Baby Bulls, who seemed disinterested in the previous 35 minutes of this half. David Najem got just enough space to get a shot off and he put it in the perfect spot to go in off the post. Obviously, a clean sheet is the goal, but a consolation goal isn’t the worst thing to give up either. The team was still comfortably in the lead, 1–3.

Three minutes later though, it happened again. Vincent Bezecourt found the head of Junior Flemmings in the box from a corner kick and presumably the ball crossed the line before Cody Mizell knocked it away. I say presumably because we don’t get down the line replay angles in the USL and it’s impossible to tell if the ball crossed the line from the angle we have. I’ll ask Cody on Twitter what he thinks…. Regardless, it was ruled a goal and the Jacks needed to hold on to avoid dropping points in a game that they dominated for the most part.

There were desperate attempts, including the NYRBII goalkeeper coming forward on a free kick, but the Baby Bulls never really challenged to score a third goal, so the final whistle blew at 2–3.

Six wins in a row and seven straight unbeaten for the Jacks!

Man of the Match

Jorge Herrera

changing up the photo for this week’s MOTM

If I gave you three guesses to guess the MOTM, I bet you wouldn’t need more than one. Jorge Herrera is obviously the man of the match, yet again. Herrera still has three games to play in July, but he absolutely has put himself in the lead for player of the month in the USL. He was clinical in the final third on Saturday, scoring a goal on 2 shots, providing one assist and one other chance created. If he keeps up this pace he should be in the running for league MVP, although his teammate Enzo Martinez may also have a case for league MVP if he continues his current form too.

Clearly, this team is good and Herrera is a legend.

Up Next

The next match for the Jacks is this Tuesday night at 7pm against the Harrisburg City Islanders on the road. This will be a meeting of two of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference as Harrisburg has won four of their last five games.

And Tuesday is a busy day for Charlotte soccer fans. After members of the MLS league office finish visiting with the MLS4CLT leaders and supporters at First Ward Park, the Charlotte Independence are hosting a watch party at NoDa Brewery! I’ll be there with other members of the SNST staff (and probably my dog). Let’s all come together and support our city’s hottest team! Come on you Jacks!

P.S. Keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned to our social media this next week for something all-Independence coming soon!