ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Charlotte Independence, despite an early concession, pieced together by far the club's strongest performance of the season, scoring five unanswered goals to rally past the defending champion New York Red Bulls II for a 5-1 victory on Thursday at Eagle Field. Charlotte put a whopping 17 shots on frame and had five separate goal scorers. Jorge Herrera was a key driving force with a goal and an assist to Callum Ross for his first professional strike. Enzo Martinez added his third of the season and assisted David Estrada’s 82nd-minute score. To cap it off, Jaime Siaj scored in second-half stoppage time off of a Yann Ekra assist. Charlotte’s victory also came off the heels of a deflating 4-0 road loss at the Rochester Rhinos. With the win, the Independence grabbed their first home victory of the season (1-1-1 at home) and improved to 2-2-2 overall (8 points). The Red Bulls II had the early lead off of a Junior Flemmings toe poke, but their advantage didn’t hold up. NYRB II saw its three-game unbeaten run come to a close as it falls to 0-2-2 on the road and 3-3-2 overall (11 points).

Scoring:
21’ – NY – Junior Flemmings (Vincent Bezecourt)
39’ – CLT – Jorge Herrera
43’ – CLT – Callum Ross (Jorge Herrera)
51’ – CLT – Enzo Martinez
82’ – CLT – David Estrada (Enzo Martinez)
90’+2 – CLT – Jaime Siaj (Yann Ekra)

#CLTvNY: Full match and Opta box score

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. The Independence did not have the start they wanted conceding a weak near-post goal a little more than 20 minutes into the match. The host side responded in a big way though, capitalizing on its chances to head into halftime up a goal, with longtime Charlotte staple Jorge Herrera leading the charge. Herrera notched his 42nd career goal, and second of the 2017 season, to get things started when Enzo Martinez’s cross from the left was not secured by NYRB II goalkeeper Evan Louro. As soon as the ball was deflected away, Herrera cleaned up and fired into the back of the net for the 39th-minute equalizer. Then in the 43rd minute, the Independence caught New York’s defense flat-footed on a quickly taken set piece chance. Herrera’s right-footed free kick connected perfectly with Callum Ross, whose snap header was driven past Louro for his first professional goal and a 2-1 lead. While not credited with an assist on Charlotte’s third goal, it was Herrera who catapulted the 51st-minute chance for Martinez. Martinez’s first shot was blocked by NYRB II’s defense, but he didn’t miss on the rebound, slotting into the back of the net for a 3-1 advantage.

• 2. NYRB II had the upper hand in the 21st minute thanks to a Junior Flemmings goal. It was a moment of good instinctiveness from Flemmings, but also a defensive gaffe from Charlotte’s standpoint. Flemmings took a couple touches with his right as Independence center back Henry Kalungi gave him too much space to work with. Flemmings toe-poked toward the near left post, and while it looked like Charlotte goalkeeper Cody Mizell had that space covered, the shot stayed low and snuck past for the opening New York goal. 

• 3. A familiar face was back for the Red Bulls II as the MLS side loaned Derrick Etienne Jr. to the USL club in his first appearance this season. Etienne, the No. 3 pick in the 2016 USL 20 Under 20, had a strong opening half. While he didn’t find the score sheet, Etienne did create some chances, including a 40th-minute setup to Brandon Allen. Allen’s shot from the left of the box was kick-saved by Mizell.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Independence – Herrera played a role in Charlotte’s first three goals, including the Independence’s opening tally to get the comeback started.

Upcoming Games:
Charlotte Independence at Orlando City B – May 27, 7:30 p.m. ET, Orlando City Stadium
New York Red Bulls II vs. LA Galaxy II – May 14, 9 p.m. ET, Red Bull Arena