CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence survived a scare with a clinical defensive performance to defeat Toronto FC II 2-1 at Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday night. Charlotte went for the match from the opening whistle, but some wayward passing would stop promising build up as the TFC II defense picked off interceptions.  The pressure from the Independence would finally tell in the 28th minute when captain Jorge Herrera drew a foul, before dusting himself off and played it calmly down the middle to get his side a deserved lead. That goal didn’t stop the Independence, who kept pushing trying to find more goals but the Toronto defense held firm to force the hosts to settle for the one goal lead at the break. Just four minutes into the second half Charlotte doubled its lead after Eamon Zayed was able to back off his defender, creating space to get on the end of Mutaya Mwape’s cross and easily head it home across the face of goal. Now two goals down, the visitors responded, making attacking changes and changing shape to try and force their way back into the match. That would pay off in the 66th minute when one of those substitutes Jordan Faria would get on the score sheet, poking home Kyle Bjornethun’s cross. That focused the Independence attention on the need to tighten up at the back, with Toronto pushing late for an equalizer the hosts defense held firm to hold on for all three points.

Scoring
28’ – CLT – Jorge Herrera (Penalty)
49’ – CLT – Eamon Zayed (Mutaya Mwape)
66’ – TOR – Jordan Faria (Kyle Bjornethun)

#CLTvTOR: Highlights and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. After scoring three goals through the first nine weeks of the season Toronto FC II finally started showing scoring form this week, with five goals in the two matches of week ten. While that will be encouraging for Toronto, it has done little to help its situation, losing both matches, meaning defense still needs to be a focus.
• 2. After a difficult run of form, the Independence appear to be back in form, now with two straight wins. This win was built on accurate shooting, as Charlotte managed a 75 percent shooting accuracy in the match, heading to Richmond next week, that will surely test a defense that has been porous at times this season.
• 3. Yet again Toronto lost the possession battle, giving up 59.9 percent of possession to the Independence, being the last winless team in the USL Eastern Conference TFC II is going to need to find a way to see more of the ball if it is going to break that duck.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Jorge Herrera, Charlotte Independence – Herrera was lively all night at the top of the Charlotte Independence attack. Drawing and then scoring the penalty was only part of a strong performance that saw Herrera win five duels and finish with an 88.6 percent passing accuracy.

Upcoming Games:
Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers – May 26, 7p.m. ET, City Stadium
Toronto FC II vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies – May 26 2p.m. ET, BMO Field