#3 South Georgia Tormenta FC vs. #6 Charlotte Independence

Venue: Optim Sports Medicine Field at Tormenta Stadium; Statesboro, Ga.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear, 63°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #TRMvCLT | #USLPlayoffs

Two of the league's most electric offenses will square off in the first match of the 2022 USL League One Playoffs presented by Hisense as South Georgia Tormenta FC (12-9-9, 3rd) host the Charlotte Independence (12-12-6, 6th) in the former's first-ever professional postseason contest and the latter's first League One postseason experience.

Both sides ended the regular season in good form as the pair's nine points in their final five matches led all playoff-bound teams. Tormenta FC ended the season on a six-match unbeaten streak, while the Jacks picked up three wins out of five.

Despite the fast-paced offenses both sides field, goalkeeping and defending has been a big reason South Georgia and Charlotte find themselves in the postseason. Tormenta FC's TJ Bush and the Independence's Adrían Zendejas proved incredibly effective down the stretch. Offensively, the numbers speak for themselves; South Georgia holds the highest shooting accuracy and accumulated the most passes in the opponent's half and Charlotte has scored the most goals from fast breaks and most goals in the first half.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

TRM - Kingsford Adjei and Kazaiah Sterling: A career renaissance for Sterling and a stellar debut professional season for Adjei has seen Tormenta FC's attacking duo lead the Ibises to new heights. With 20 goals between the pair and already each having scored against Charlotte this season, Adjei and Sterling will surely cause Zendejas problems once again.

CLT - Khori Bennett and Tresor Mbuyu: Just the second pair of teammates in league history to both record 10 or more goals since Omaha's Greg Hurst and Evan Conway a season ago, Khori Bennett and Tresor Mbuyu exploded for 11 goals apiece - both easily surpassing their respective career bests. Not only did both Mbuyu and Bennett already score against Tormenta FC this season, but Mbuyu led the league in goals added according to American Soccer Analysis.

SEASON SERIES

May 7: South Georgia 0, Charlotte 0

Aug. 13: South Georgia 0, Charlotte 3

• CLT Dutey - 16'
• CLT Mbuyu - 44'
• CLT Bennett - 86'

Aug. 31: Charlotte 0, South Georgia 2

• TRM Sterling - 6'
• TRM Adjei - 71'

All-time series: 1-1-1 (2022)