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Match Previews - 5.3.2023

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 05/03/23, 4:15PM EDT

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Charlotte, Madison take on capable opponents in hopes of remaining unbeaten

Charlotte Independence vs. Greenville Triumph SC

Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium; Charlotte, N.C.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 65°
BroadcastESPN+
Hashtag: #CLTvGVL
Series (First Meeting): 2-1-0, GVL (2022)

History's on the line for both sides set to clash in Charlotte. A win or draw for the Charlotte Independence (3-0-4, 2nd) would match an all-time League One record of eight consecutive unbeaten matches to start a season and a win for Greenville Triumph SC (2-4-0, 8th) would see John Harkes' side become the first club in League One history to reach 50 regular season victories.

This pair of clubs live in the opposition's box; both Charlotte (1st) and Greenville (2nd) have accumulated the most touches in the opponent's box so far this season and both have an even seven goals to show for it. While the all-time series advantage is slightly tilted in Greenville's favor, the home team has won all three contests in the series dating back to 2022.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

CLT - Austin Pack: Earning his third consecutive clean sheet and second consecutive Team of the Week honor in Week 7, Pack recorded a week-high seven saves to help the Jacks remain undefeated.

GVL - Noah Pilato: Pilato leads Triumph SC with three goals and has added on to a strong start to the 2023 season with 11 duels won, eight shots and a 77% passing accuracy.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

CLT: M - Bachir Ndiaye (out, injury)

GVL: F - Leonardo Castro (questionable, injury), D - Noah Franke (out, injury), D - Brandon Fricke (probable, injury), GK - Ben Hale (out, injury), M - Tevin Shaw (doubtful, injury), D - Nate Shultz (probable, injury), D - Jamie Smith (out, injury), D - Daniel Wu (probable, injury)

One Knoxville SC vs. Forward Madison FC

Venue: Regal Soccer Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Sunny, 64°
BroadcastESPN+
Hashtag: #KNXvMAD
Series (First Meeting): N/A (2023)

Another first-time contest early in 2023, One Knoxville SC (2-2-1, 7th) will host Forward Madison FC (1-0-3, 9th) at Regal Soccer Stadium on Wednesday evening as the former looks to construct its first win streak at the professional level and the latter aims to match its longest unbeaten stretch to start a season at five (2021).

Both sides have struggled to score this season. Knoxville are one of four clubs (Central Valley, Greenville, Lexington) this season to have both scored fewer goals than expected and conceded more goals than expected, according to Opta. Madison, on the other hand, have had great defensive play early - recording the fewest goals conceded, best tackle success rate and second-best duel success rate - but have struggled to convert on the other end with 2.11 fewer goals scored than expected.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 

KNX - Yesin van der Pluijm: One of numerous OKSC players to reunite with their former college coach Mark McKeever in Knoxville, van der Pluijm scored his first professional goal in the dying moments of a scoreless match in Fresno to earn Team of the Week honors.

MAD - Isidro Martinez: First-year Madison man Isidro Martinez proved incredibly efficient in FMFC’s scoreless draw with Charlotte to be named to the Team of the Week. Martinez tallied an 85% passing accuracy to go along with 14 recoveries, eight accurate long balls, five chances created, five duels won, four interceptions and two fouls earned.

AVAILABILITY REPORT
 

KNX: F - Ilija Ilić (out, injury), M - Sam Fletcher (out, injury), M - Frank Ross (out, injury), D - James Thomas (out, injury)

MAD: None reported


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