Cheat Sheet: Independence and Ascent Claim Wins; Charlotte FC Break Losing Streak
The Jacks pick up their first away win of the season in Texas; Carolina Ascent continue unbeaten streak with dominant 0-3 win in Fort Lauderdale; Charlotte FC salvage a point against FC Cincinnati.
We’ll have more on Charlotte FC’s 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati in our next newsletter, but here’s the good news for the Crown: after four straight losses against MLS opponents, Charlotte FC (4-5-3, 15 pts) played one of the best halves we’ve seen from them all year on Saturday to salvage a draw after going down 0-2 at halftime.
However, the Crown will be without their captain when they host New York City FC on Wednesday, May 13. Ashley Westwood picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Cincinnati, and will serve a one game suspension.
Meanwhile, the Charlotte Independence (3-2-2, 11 pts) and the Carolina Ascent (14-7-6, 48 pts) both scored 3 away goals to bring home big wins on Saturday night.
On Friday, the NC Courage (2-3-3, 9 pts) fell to the Orlando Pride 1-0 in Florida thanks to a late goal from Barbra Banda, who currently leads the Golden Boot race with 8 goals.
Finally, both of North Carolina’s MLS NEXT Pro sides lost this week. Crown Legacy FC (6-1-3-2, 23 pts) suffered their first regulation loss of the season in Chicago, falling 3-2, while Carolina Core FC (0-5-4-1, 5 pts) fell 3-0 in Huntsville on Thursday, May 7, and are yet to find their first regulation win.
Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati
Final Score: 2 - 2
Saturday, May 9
7:30 PM EDT
Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte FC Goals
Idan Toklomati - 51’
(Assist: Tim Ream)
Pep Biel - 52’
(Assist: Djibril Diani)
FC Cincinnati Goals
Kévin Denkey - 36’
Evander - 43’
(Assist: Pavel Bucha)
The Enzo Show Continues in Texas
In USL League One, the Jacks prevailed 1-3 against Corpus Christi FC (0-4-3, 3 pts), a team playing their first professional season after 8 years in USL League Two. Enzo Martinez, the Independence’s all-time leader in both goals and assists, continued to make a difference after rejoining the club this year. With his 15th minute goal, he now has 5 goals across all competitions this season.
Though Corpus Christi were able to equalize later in the first half thanks to Patrick Langlois’ tap-in goal off of an assist from former Charlotte player Christian Chaney, the Jacks went into the locker room up 1-2 after Independence academy product Jefferson Amaya exploited a bad clearance from the Sharks and found the net from 50 yards out.
“When I saw the ball coming to me, there was only one thing in my mind, shooting the ball as I knew the keeper was out,” said Amaya. “Thanks to God it went in. It feels awesome to score, but most importantly to close out a huge week with the team.”
Courtesy USL League One
Another player who recently rejoined the Jacks - Luis Alvarez - converted a penalty in the second half for the final Charlotte goal. With the win, the Independence improve to 5th place in USL League One.
Corpus Christi FC vs. Charlotte Independence
Final Score: 1 - 3
Saturday, May 9
7:30 PM CDT
Cabaniss Athletic Complex
Corpus Christi, TX
Charlotte Independence Goals
Enzo Martinez - 15’
(Assist: Jon Bakero)
Jefferson Amaya - 40’
Luis Alvarez - 72’
(Penalty)
Corpus Christi FC Goals
Patrick Langlois - 35’
(Assist: Christian Chaney)
Red Card
Jackson Dietrich - 70’
Ascent Extend Unbeaten Streak to 10
In Fort Lauderdale, the Ascent won 0-3 against the team that ended their playoff run last year, extending their unbeaten streak to 10 matches. Despite Carolina’s playoff loss at home in last year’s semifinals, the Ascent are still pushing to host at least one postseason match in 2026; however, they’ll probably need to win their final match on May 16 at home against Sporting JAX, and they’ll need Lexington SC to drop points in their final two matches.
Soccer Sheet spoke with Ascent head coach Philip Poole about the importance of a home playoff match after the team clinched a playoff berth last month.
“I don’t want to look too far down the line, but I look at potential home playoff games as a great reward for Dan [DiMicco] and the support and the resources he gives this team; for him and Jim [McPhilliamy] and the ownership group,” said Poole. “But also for our fans, right? You’d love to get a home game at American Legion Memorial Stadium, and you’d love to be in front of those fans … last year is gone, but you’d like to be able to put that right and fill that stadium up in a playoff game, and I think we would.”
While the Ascent struggled to break through in the first half thanks to bad luck as much as anything else, the team was on fire in the second half, starting with a corner from Mia Corbin in the 63rd minute that found the head of Mackenzie George at point blank range for the forward’s first goal since October.
“[Mackenzie] deserves it. There’s no easy way to say it. She’s a tireless worker and a great teammate,” said Poole. “If you step back and look at her body of work over the course of the season, I can’t believe she hasn’t gotten more. She deserves that goal.”
Not to be outdone, Corbin added a goal to her assist in the 77th minute in another set piece situation. After Fort Lauderdale sent her first attempt out of bounds, Captain Jill Aguilera’s second corner from the right side of the goal went into the area, bounced out to the top of the goal box, and found Corbin on the run. Corbin launched a rocket that bounced off the goalkeeper and into the net.
“Staying consistent with our press and our principles as a team allowed us to have the freedom to exploit them and just have some fun tonight,” said Corbin.
Five minutes later, Tyler Lussi was good for another insurance goal.
“I’m really proud of the fight and mentality we showed tonight,” said Lussi. “It was important for us to keep our foot on the gas and stay focused because we always want to get a result. For us, it’s about staying locked in and mentally prepared for every game, taking things one match at a time, and continuing to show resilience as a team.”
Fort Lauderdale United FC vs. Carolina Ascent FC
Final Score: 0 - 3
Saturday, May 9
7:30 PM EDT
Beyond Bancard Field
Davie, FL
Carolina Ascent Goals
Mackenzie George - 63’
(Assist: Mia Corbin)
Mia Corbin - 77’
Tyler Lussi - 82’