MATTHEWS, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence return home to host the Richmond Kickers on Wednesday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews looking to continue their eight-game undefeated streak, and with an outside chance at first place in the Eastern Conference at the end of the night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game will utilize the Video Assistant Referee system.

Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2v4AtxB | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2tVlAMX

Charlotte Independence news and notes

• Current record: 9-3-5, 32pts

• The Independence saw their six-game winning streak come to an end last Tuesday night in a 1-1 draw against the Harrisburg City Islanders at FNB Field.

• Charlotte scored early in the second half through Jorge Herrera to earn a point after the City Islanders had taken the lead late in first-half stoppage time.

• The Independence enter Wednesday night three points behind the Charleston Battery for first place in the Eastern Conference, but could overtake the conference leaders with a win as the Battery also visit the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

• Herrera has scored in four consecutive games for the Independence, and has notched seven goals in that span. He is now tied for fourth in the USL with 11 goals this season.

Richmond Kickers news and notes

• Current record: 3-10-6, 15pts

• Richmond earned its third win of the season on Saturday night as it claimed a 3-2 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC at City Stadium.

• Samuel Asante scored the game-winning goal with two minutes to go as both sides held the lead in a back-and-forth battle.

• The Kickers’ victory was their first in the league since a 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on April 22.

• Asante’s goal was his first this season, and also his first for the Kickers since a 1-1 draw with the Charleston Battery on June 10, 2015.

Series Notes

• Charlotte moved to 4-2-2 all-time against the Kickers after taking a 2-0 victory at City Stadium earlier this season.

Squads

• Charlotte – GK: Cody Mizell, Kainoa Likewise, Kyle Renfro; D: Dennis Castillo, Bilal Duckett, Henry Kalungi, Austin Yearwood, Joel Johnson, Donnie Smith, Ashani Fairclough, Luke Waechter; M: Zev Taublieb, Callum Ross, Jun Marques Davidson, Lewis Hilton, Yann Ekra, David Estrada, Jacob Bender, Alex Martinez, David Speies, Preston Tabort Etaka; F: Enzo Martinez, Casey Townsend, Jorge Herrera, Jaime Siaj

• Richmond – GK: Marcel DeBellis, Alex Wimmer, Matt Turner; D: William Yomby, Chris Odoi-Atsem, Conor Shanosky, Evan Lee, Mallan Roberts, Alex Lee, Braeden Troyer, Jalen Robinson; M: Finnlay Wyatt, Yudai Imura, Patrick McCann, Oscar Umar, Raul Gonzalez, Samuel Asante, Matt Bolduc, Brandon Eaton, Simon Fitch, Luiz Fernando Nascimento; F: Oliver Minatel, Sunny Jane, Anthony Grant, Mikey Minutillo, Jackson Eskay, Franck Tayou

Discipline

• Charlotte – None

• Richmond – Suspended: Fred Owusu Sekyere

Officials

• REF: CHRISTINA UNKEL

• AR1: Benjamin Wooten

• AR2: Ryan Graves

• 4TH: Eric Barnes

• VAR: Victor Rivas

Game hashtag:

• #CLTvRIC

Twitter social handles

• Charlotte Independence – @CLTIndependence

• Richmond Kickers – @RichmondKickers