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Match Previews - 4.22.2023

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 04/22/23, 10:45AM EDT

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Week 6 concludes with pair of attractive matchups

Charlotte Independence vs. Central Valley Fuego FC

Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
Kickoff: 2 p.m. ET
Weather: Isolated thunderstorms, 70°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #CLTvCV
Series (First Meeting): 2-0-1 (2022)

Overtaken by North Carolina and South Georgia atop the table after the pair's Friday evening victories, the Charlotte Independence (2-0-3, 3rd) can jump back into first place with a victory over Central Valley Fuego FC (1-2-1, 11th) on Saturday afternoon. The Jacks are one of just three unbeaten clubs remaining and have matched their best-ever start through five matches. Tied for the fewest goals in the league so far, Fuego FC is still figuring out how to replicate the goalscoring abilities of Christian Chaney. Across three prior meetings, the Independence have dominated Central Valley, winning their past two matchups by a combined 7-0.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

CLT - Austin Pack: Pack is coming off a fantastic nine-save outing on Wednesday in a scoreless draw with Union Omaha. Pack's nine saves are tied for the fourth most in a single match in league history and are the 29-year-old 'keeper's most across six years in the USL Championship and League One.

CV - Villyan Bijev: Bijev proved incredibly efficient in Fuego FC’s 1-1 draw in Knoxville last week, winning the match-tying penalty, drawing five fouls, securing four recoveries and completing 100% of his tackles, dribbles and duels to earn Team of the Week recognition.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

CLT: M - Bachir Ndiaye (out, injury)

CV: GK - Ofek Antman (out, injury), D - Abdul Cromwell (out, injury), F - Cherif Dieye (out, injury), D - Sam Strong (out, injury)

Lexington SC vs. Greenville Triumph SC

Venue: Toyota Stadium; Georgetown, Ky.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 54°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #LEXvGVL
Series (First Meeting): 0-0-0 (2023)

Greenville Triumph SC (1-3-0, 12th) will look to keep its momentum going as it travels to Kentucky for the first time to face expansion side Lexington SC (1-2-1, 8th). Lexington will have similar intentions, however, as the first-year side has gone unbeaten in two consecutive matches with a strong scoreless draw against Madison and a victory over South Georgia a week ago. Greenville picked up its first win of the season in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, downing Central Valley, 3-0 at Paladin Stadium. With Greenville banged up and Lexington still solidifying its identity in its first season, this matchup should prove intriguing as the clubs advance through the season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

LEX - Owen Green: Green recorded his first professional goal to serve as the match-winner in Lexington’s first-ever victory, all of which came against his former club. The English defender earned four recoveries, completed 70% of his passes and made a dramatic goal-line clearance early in the match, culminating in a Player of the Week nod.

GVL - Lucas Coutinho: Coutinho became the first player this season to record three goal contributions in a single match in his side's much-needed victory against Central Valley on Wednesday. Coutinho recorded his first professional brace and added an assist.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

LEX: F - Will Baynham (doubtful, injury) M - Pierre Mané (out, eligibility)

GVL: D - Noah Franke (out, injury), D - Brandon Fricke (out, injury), D - Hassan Gabo (probable, injury), GK - Ben Hale (out, injury), D - Nate Shultz (out, injury), D - Jamie Smith (out, injury), D - Daniel Wu (out, injury)

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Tag(s): News  Greenville Triumph SC  Central Valley Fuego FC  Charlotte Independence  Lexington SC  Game Previews 

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