Soccer is a funny game. It giveth and it taketh away. Right when you think you have this game figured out, it reminds you that you really don’t know anything.

But most of all, soccer keeps you humble.

For the Charlotte Independence, they got a taste of that humble pie this weekend. In what was their worst performance of the year, they drew 2-2 with Atlanta United 2. It spoiled a chance at a 3-for-3 start, but the optimist in me is pretty dang pleased that the Jacks took 7 out of a possible 9 points to start.

But if you are a fan of Phoenix Rising FC, you saw a solid road win to bring their record to an identical 2-0-1 start.

Here are how things went last weekend for the Burgundy Loan Contingent:

Charlotte Independence 2, Atlanta United 2 2

Charlotte trotted out the 4-2-3-1 for this one and actually only surrendered one goal to Atlanta United 2. But the dreaded own goal opened the scoring for United and it took a Jorge Herrera brace to share the spoils for the Jacks.

Caleb Calvert started up front again for Charlotte and played 77 minutes and notched another assist. He is now tied for first in the Eastern Conference in assists and second overall in the league.

Sam Vines played another full 90 minutes and had 82 touches in his 90 minutes with an 87% passing accuracy rating.

Andrew Dykstra started his third straight game and recorded two saves

Ricardo Perez came on in the 84th minute and recorded five completed passes.

Reno 1868 FC 0, Phoenix Rising FC 1

Mike da Fonte started and played the full 90 as Phoenix recorded their second win of the year. He was part of a defense that put up another clean sheet and he had an overall quiet night, only passing the ball 32 times.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Nashville SC (1-1-1, 4 points) vs Charlotte Independence (2-0-1, 7 points)

Location: First Tennessee Park (Nashville, TN) at 6:30 PM MDT

What to Watch For: Well, for history buffs and lovers of all things Burgundy, this one should be fun for you. Gary Smith, the Colorado Rapids Gaffer when they won MLS Cup 2010, is head coach of Nashville SC. Also, Kosuke Kimura is on the roster along with the greatest Rapids keeper of all time, Matt Pickens. Break out your 2010 MLS Cup Champions gear, ‘cause that flashback is coming

How to Watch: All USL games are streamed on YouTube and this match can be found here.

Phoenix Rising FC (2-0-1, 7 points) vs Real Monarchs SLC (2-0-0, 6 points)

Location: Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex (Tempe, AZ) at 8:00 PM MDT

What to Watch For: Let’s be clear on this one: just because Real Monarchs is not RSL, they are still the USL team of Real Salt Lake. Therefore: they suck. However, they have a heck of a team and this one looks to be a cracking match of football. Neither team has lost a match this year, and Rising are showing a defensive steel that is difficult to match. Real Monarchs have given up twice as many goals as Phoenix, so this should be a classic clash of styles kind of match.

How to Watch: All USL games are streamed on YouTube and this match can be found here.