Charlotte Prevails in Rough Open Cup Challenge on Long Island
The Charlotte Independence defeated the Long Island Rough Riders 2-3 on Thursday in a First Round U.S. Open Cup match that went into extra time.
As a USL League One side, the Charlotte Independence were favored over the Long Island Rough Riders in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but the challenge from the amateur side was strong - something Charlotte expected.
“We knew that they were going to be a good side, but we also knew that we prepared,” Independence captain Clay Dimick told Soccer Sheet after the match. “We didn’t overlook them, and our staff did a good job preparing us.”
The game at Mitchel Field in Uniondale, New York attracted 719 fans despite the foggy and less than favorable weather conditions. It was the first competitive match between the two clubs.
Both teams slowly warmed up to each other in the first half. While the Independence were in control of possession for the first half (58%), the Rough Riders - led by an impressive performance by recent MLS draft pick Jacob Woznicki - were able to launch more shots at Independence goalkeeper Drew Romig. To his credit, Romig was quick blocking every shot attempt by the Rough Riders in the first half, and ended the match with two saves.
Long Island Rough Riders v. Charlotte Independence
March 20, 2025
Mitchel Athletic Complex
Uniondale, New York
Final Score: 2-3
Long Island Rough Riders Goals
Jacob Woznicki 49'
Elias Khodri 105+1'
Charlotte Independence Goals
Rafael Jauregui 79', 107'
Christian Chaney 104’
Alyssa’s Man of the Match
Rafael Jauregui
While the first half ended level even, the Rough Riders came out of the locker room reinvigorated. Long Island forward Jacob Woznicki finally broke through when he scored the first goal of the match four minutes into the second half.
LIRR defender Gabriel Pacheco threw the ball in to Woznicki on the left side of the penalty box. An outfield Charlotte player was able to block the shot, which rebounded back to Woznicki at the top of the box, beating Romig with a brilliant strike that put the Rough Riders ahead.
The Independence spent the remainder of the match trying to catch up.
“These teams are always difficult,” said Charlotte coach Mike Jeffries after the match. “Credit to Long Island, they played well. I thought our guys showed a lot of character to come back from the goal down … We right away pulled the third goal back in extra tine and I thought we managed the game pretty well, so credit to our guys.”
It was Romig’s first match of the season, but Dimick thought he was up to the task.
“For [Drew] to come in and do everything he could to help us get the win was awesome,” said Dimick.
Long Island took Woznicki - who also played for Hofstra University next door - off the field in the 62nd minute, a decision that made less sense as the night went on. Woznicki was by far the biggest challenge for Charlotte all night - and would have been the man of the match had the game ended when he left the pitch. Long Island did not make coach Chris Megaloudis available after the match to explain the decision.
Christian Chaney, who came on as a striker at halftime, was instrumental to Charlotte’s comeback, giving the squad desperately needed energy.
With only 11 minutes left in the match, Chaney made a great pass to Independence winger Rafael Jauregui, who sneakily kicked the ball past Long Island goalkeeper Eryk Dymora, not only scoring the Charlotte’s first goal of the night, but also his first with the Independence.
Dymora, who also plays for Monmouth University, would save two of Charlotte’s shots over the course of the night. He did significant work in the second half to limit Charlotte’s chances as the visitors sprint most of the half in Long Island’s side of the field, only letting in the one goal during regulation.
With the score all tied at the end of regulation, the match went into overtime.
The Independence took the lead for the first time near the end of the first overtime period as Chaney received a beautiful cross from Independence captain Clay Dimick and smashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net, giving the Independence the lead with 16 minutes left in overtime.
The Rough Riders quickly caught up. Forward Elias Khodri, who replaced Woznicki, sent the ball flying into the net from the top of the penalty box to tie the game 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first overtime.
With the time ticking away in the second overtime period, the Independence came out and immediately regained the lead. Once again Jauregui sunk the ball into the goal due to a defensive mistake from Long Island, scoring his second goal of the match.
“It means a lot for me to score my first two goals for the club,” said Jauregui. “But most importantly, [I helped] the team secure a win after a hard 120 minutes.”
The game was long and tough but the Independence were able to hold on for the rest of the overtime to survive and advance to the second round of the Cup.
“Ultimately I think it was our mentality that carried us over,” said Dimick. “Credit to Long Island, they’re a good side and they put everything they had into the game.”
Round Two of the U.S. Open Cup begins on April 1, and the Independence will host MLS NEXT Pro side Carolina Core FC on Tuesday, April 1 at 7:30 PM EDT at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews - the former home of the Independence.
Soccer Sheet Exclusive: Postgame Interview with Clay Dimick
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