CHARLOTTE, NC. – Central Valley Fuego FC took on Charlotte Independence for the second time this season on July 29 at American Legion Memorial Stadium.
In the first half, Fuego FC had some missed opportunities where they couldn’t quite find the back of the net. In the 39th minute, Khori Bennett helped Charlotte take the early lead. Despite the two Fuego FC defenders, Khori Bennett recorded a brace just before the first half ended, strengthening their lead. Fuego FC needed to make some adjustments and score some goals to lessen the daunting lead.
Fuego FC didn’t have much more luck in the second half preventing the Jacks from scoring. In the 52nd minute, after some back and forth between the two teams, Charlotte’s Héctor Acosta chipped the ball in forcing Fuego FC into an even more difficult position for the rest of the game. Khori Bennett rounded out the game with a hat trick in the 64th minute.
UP NEXT: Central Valley Fuego FC takes on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for the final time this season at Fresno State Soccer Stadium. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Match: Central Valley Fuego FC at Charlotte Independence
Date: July 29, 2022
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium
Weather: 82 degrees with 73 degrees humidity
Notes
– Brazilian midfielder Keslley Neves made his second appearance recording two recoveries and winning 100% of aerial duels.
– There was a 15 minute weather delay due to lighting in the area.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
Central Valley Fuego FC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Charlotte Independence | 3 | 1 | 4 |
CLT– Khori Bennett 39’, 45’+3, 64’
CLT– Hector Acosta 52’
Stats Summary | CVvCLT
Shots: 11 | 15
Shots on Goal: 2 | 6
Corner Kicks: 2 | 6
Possession: 41% | 59%
Fouls: 11 | 12
Offsides: 4 | 0
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CLT– Shalom Dutey 12’ (CAUTION)
CLT– Omar Ciss 16’ (CAUTION)
CLT– Khori Bennett 20’ (CAUTION)
CLT– Koa Santos 43’ (CAUTION)
CV– Jordan Chavez 63’ (CAUTION)
CV– Keslley Neves 73’ (CATUTION)
CV– Christian Chaney 90’+1 (CAUTION)
Central Valley Fuego FC (1-4-4-2): Ofek Antman, Diego Casillas (Tunde Akinlosotu), Sam Strong, Jordan Chavez, Michael Hornsby, Ozzie Ramos (Keslley Neves), Jesus Partida, Victor Falck, Alexis Cerritos (Cherif Dieye), Villyan Bijev (Maxi Schenfeld), Renato Bustamante (Christian Chaney)
Subs not used: Mitch North, William Gillingham
Charlotte Independence (1-1-4-4): Koa Santos, Hector Acosta, Shalom Dutey, Clay Dimick, Chris Hegardt (Grayson Barber), Oman Ciss (Diego Rocha), Miguel Ibarra, Tresor Mbuyu, Gabriel Obertan (Jefferson Amaya), Khori Bennett (Illia Shevtsov), Adrian Zendejas
Subs not used: Austin Pack, Tomas Maya, Giuseppe Barone
TEAM PERSPECTIVE
“Tough game, tough result, poor team performance,” said head coach Martín Vásquez. “There’s not much to takeaway other than a learning moment. We let the Club down, the team and ourselves. We all have a lot to prove in our next match.”
“Obviously it’s a tough result on the road,” said midfielder Jesus Partida. “Especially trying to get a good run of form in, but we can take it to the chin, improve and come back in front of our home fans for three more points.”
“Not the result we wanted but we have to let this one go and think about Wednesday already,” said midfielder Diego Casillas. “It’s another great opportunity to move back up on the standings.”