Charlotte Independence 2 Spokane Velocity FC 1
Luis Alvarez Game Winner in 2nd Half Stoppage Time
After Joel Johnson made everyone forget how dour the first half was 25 seconds into the second half, it would be the Luis Alvares, the man who set up Joel Johnson’s goal, who would score the game winner as Charlotte Independence would win a game of few chances with Spokane Velocity FC 2-1 on Thursday night.
After an opening 5 minute where Charlotte held the ball, but lacked a final product, it would be Spokane who had the first opportunity. After Kimarni Smith won the ball on the edge of the 18, Spokane would recycle the ball around the penalty area. The shot would ultimately fall to Josh Dolling, his shot near post getting through traffic but going just wide.
Charlotte would get their first opportunity in the 13th minute after winning a free kick 22 yards out extended right. The free kick would make it to the far post and headed central, the second header by Hugh Roberts thought without any pace and easily saved by Austin Pack. It would be at his point Omar Ciss would go down for the second time. Ciss had momentarily left the pitch moments earlier after an arial challenge with Collin Fernandez. This time Ciss’s night would be over with Bachir Ndiaye coming on.
The first half would be qualified as played at a walking pace with few spurts of pace sprinkled in. Spokane would have plenty of possession and they had their moments. Romain Metanire was willing to work the ball and take on defenders, Josh Dolling was willing to come back into the midfield to support their forward play and the visitors were the ones getting Charlotte deep into their penalty area. Spokane on their corner kicks would at least get the ball into dangerous areas. Charlotte Independence deserves credit, their 4-1-4-1 defensive line once set forced Spokane to pass the ball where Charlotte wanted them to.
Charlotte Independence was more than happy to only attack on the counter. Through the first 35 minutes that was a challenge as Charlotte’s final product was severely lacking. Spokane was also tracking back quicker getting into the passing lanes. It would come out of nowhere when Charlotte won a free kick 19 yards out in the 26th minute. Juan Obregon Jr finally had an opportunity to get in front of Ahmed Longmire, Longmire having to use his arm to stop the ball in its tracks. Longmire would pick up a booking for his troubles, just lucky it was on the right side of the penalty area. Obregon Jr’s free kick was unable to dip, the danger averted.
The final minutes of half would again tilt in Charlotte Independence’s favor. The hosts had the chance to show what they could do in the 41st minute when Luis Alvarez would intercept a poor pass in midfield. Unfortunate for Alvarez his pass to Juan Obregon Jr was 2 yards in front of him. Alvarez would get a second chance to make magic happen off the Spokane throw in but the shot far post was easily covered by Carlos Valdez. A minute later Tresor Mbuyu’s solo run past put Longmire on the turf, but the centering ball forced a Collin Fernandez intervention for a corner that had no final product. Going into halftime, this game was heading for 0-0.
Charlotte Independence would make me regret typing that last sentence within 25 seconds of the second half restart. Clay Dimick would spring to the attack to Luis Alvarez, Alvarez finding Tresor Mbuyu to the left. The cross in by Mbuyu was right into the path of Alvarez, who’s shot was saved by Carlos Valdez right into the path of Joel Johnson. Johnson would shoot to the space Derek Waldeck vacated in trying to cover Alvarez’s shot, an easy finish for Charlotte as Spokane came out of halftime sleep walking and paid the price for it.
It would take until the 69th minute before Spokane would get out of the daze caused from being behind, their time in the box spent ended when Kamarni Smith’s shot would be blocked. 3 minutes later Spokane would be level. Collin Fernandez started the sequence finding Pierre Reedy in behind of Clay Dimick. Reedy was able to keep the ball in play before centering across the face of goal far post. Second half substitute Javier Martin Gil was able to get in front of Anthony Sorenson to put it past the out of position Austin Pack. It was the kind of goal that shows you what Spokane is capable of, their pace finally in full flow for the first time all night.
Pierre Reedy thought he had won a penalty in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, the referee judging that Reedy’s foot was trailing into Hugh Roberts. My feeling is the referee got it right as Reedy kept that leg out looking for contact. A minute later Charlotte Independence would get the game winner. After Fabrice Nagh would pick the pocket of Javier Martin Gil, the ball would fall into the waiting path of Luis Alvarez. Alvarez made the solo run, shooting far post from 19 yards out as Spokane was setting their line 16 yards out. Carlos Valdez did not see it until late, a great individual effort for the game winner.
Ahmed Longmire would get one last shot late for Spokane but Austin Pack was strong to the task to secure the three points for Charlotte Independence.
Spokane played right into what Charlotte wanted them to do, and they played it to perfection. The 4-1-4-1 defensive shape was difficult to break down and Spokane was way too slow in their play. Charlotte played this game for 3 chances, and they converted two of them. This is a game Charlotte expects to play game in game out, and their team experience showed here. Spokane will have to learn quick from this one because they just proved they cannot break down a side that is set defensively to pick them apart.