CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Independence defeated Greenville Triumph SC, 3-2, on Friday evening at American Legion Memorial Stadium thanks to a second-half scoring surge. The Jacks' 2023 USL League One Playoffs Quarterfinals victory is just the second postseason win in club history and will see the nine-year-old side head to either Omaha, Neb. or Cary, N.C. in the Semifinals.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 13th minute through a wonderfully struck Allen Gavilanes goal. From there on out, though, the Independence dominated the league's all-time winningest side. Goals from Joel Johnson, Gabriel Obertan and Avionne Flanagan in the span of 28 minutes in the second half sealed the Charlotte win. The Independence's victory came down to their control over the pace of the game, out-possessing Greenville 56% to 46%, out-shooting Greenville 19 to 10 and winning 10 corner kicks to Greenville's four.
Gabriel Obertan (CLT) – The former FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Newcastle United FC and Manchester United FC midfielder bagged the Jacks' second goal to go along with his four chances created, six shots, and 80% passing accuracy.
GVL – Gavilanes (Boyce) 13' - WATCH
CLT – Johnson 51' - WATCH
CLT – Obertan 74' - WATCH
CLT – Flanagan (Ciss) 79' - WATCH
GVL – Shultz (Gavilanes) 90+2' - WATCH