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Independence Hold Off Toronto

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 03/24/18, 9:00PM EDT

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Calvert, Herrera provide difference as Charlotte wins second straight


Photo courtesy Charlotte Independence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Caleb Calvert delivered a goal and an assist to help fuel a 2-0 result against visiting Toronto FC II as the Charlotte Independence secured a second consecutive victory to open the 2018 season. In the 18th minute, Calvert combined with a streaking Jorge Herrera on the break and the veteran did the rest, slotting his effort inside the right post to etch his name on the scoresheet for the second straight week. Minutes before halftime, Alex Martinez deftly played a ball in from the left that allowed Calvert the opportunity to sky over two Toronto defenders and double the margin with a headed finish. TFCII goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell came up with a number of notable stops but his was unable to crack the Charlotte defense in a rain-soaked second half as the Independence dealt Toronto its second defeat in as many weeks.  

Scoring:
18’ – CLT – Jorge Herrera (Caleb Calvert)
42’ – CLT – Caleb Calvert (Alex Martinez)

#CLTvTOR: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Charlotte is off to a blazing start, jumping out to a 2-0 record on the strength of convincing results against a pair of Canadian counterparts in Ottawa Fury FC and Toronto FC II. For an Independence squad that did not record its second win of 2017 until its sixth outing of the season, there have been a number of positive signs in attack in its first two appearances of 2018, as the team has amassed a 22-12 advantage in shot attempts. Cordell Cato provided the impetus with a Week 1 brace while Herrera, who finished just outside the top-10 with 12 goals in USL competition last year, is up to his old tricks to start the new campaign. With Calvert’s performance on Saturday and the midweek announcement of the addition of Éamon Zayed, the Independence appear armed to make a push at their third consecutive playoff appearance.
     
  • 2. While the attack may grab headlines, Charlotte’s prospects may hinge on the continued effectiveness of a back line that has turned in two high-level performances to start the season. The quartet of Joel Johnson, Sam Vines, Donnie Smith and captain Bilal Duckett have been at the center of a defensive effort that has seen the team allow just three shots on target in the first two weeks.
     
  • 3. There would be no comeback this time for the visitors as the road woes continued for a young TFCII side that has now come up short on the road in consecutive weeks following a 2-1 loss at the hands of New York Red Bulls II in its 2018 opener. Since upending Phoenix Rising FC in the desert to kickstart the 2017 campaign, Toronto’s lone road victory came courtesy of a three-goal rally in the second half during the squad’s previous trip to the Sportsplex at Matthews - a 3-2 win over the Independence on August 26. In 18 appearances away from home over the last two seasons, Toronto FC II has now been outscored, 36-13 overall.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Caleb Calvert, Charlotte Independence – The Colorado Rapids-loanee factored into both tallies on the night while accounting for three of the six shots on target between the two sides

Upcoming Games:

Charlotte Independence vs. ATL UTD 2 – March 31, 7:00 p.m. ET, Sportsplex at Matthews
Toronto FC II vs. Ottawa Fury FC – March 31, 7:30 p.m. ET, BMO Field

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