Chattanooga Red Wolves Grinds Out Scoreless Draw at Charlotte Independence
Roster management ahead of a busy schedule leads to the sides splitting the points
Charlotte Independence and Chattanooga Red Wolves entered a busy week with a showdown at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
Both sides were on their first of three matches over the next eight days, and had to manage roster accordingly. In addition, both added new signings this week after operating on relatively short rosters to start the season.
Both squads had several chances early in the match, with possession going back and forth before Charlotte took over a majority of the touches. However, the match went to the half with a 0-0 draw, with no shots on target for either side.
The best chance of the match came in the 59th minute when Charlotte’s Alfredo Midence took a pass from Luis Alvarez, dribbling around Chattanooga’s Owen Green in the box, appearing to go one on one with goalkeeper Jason Smith. Midence took the shot, but Chattanooga’s Kimball Jackson slid in to make the block.
As the second half passed the 60th minute, it appeared the coaches opted to manage their respective rosters in anticipation of the busy week. In the 63rd, Chattanooga Head Coach Scott MacKenzie made a triple substitution, removing Jonny Filipe, Owen Green and Kimball Jackson in favor of Omar Hernandez, Yahir Vasquez and Joshua Ramos. Soon after, Charlotte’s Mike Jeffries removed striker Christian Chaney in favor of Souaibou Marou.
Charlotte would end the match with two shots on target, while Chattanooga would be credited with none, despite several big chances.
Said Charlotte Head Coach Mike Jeffries:
“Disappointed to not get a win at home. I do not think we were as sharp as we needed to be, especially in the first half, and we squandered half chances and opportunities. The work rate was good and it is nice to get a clean sheet, so credit to the back group and the guys working in front of them to get that accomplished.”
“They came out with intensity and that was part of their plan to stop us from getting into a rhythm and it was successful. You could see our guys get frustrated and we didn’t manage it as well as we should’ve managed it. The game never really got a good flow and we never really got a comfortable rhythm.”
Chattanooga Head Coach Scott MacKenzie said:
“Couldn’t be prouder of the boys, I look at this as a result and go that wasn’t a result we would have got last year, we certainly wouldn’t have got a point on the road against a very, very good Charlotte team.”
“I think what we’ve managed to showcase is again the grit, the core of our identity, the grit, the hard work, blue collar mentality. I think it was embodied by Kimball Jackson running 80 yards to go and get a clearance off the line, unbelievable bit of defending, unbelievable show of character.”
Match Notes
Alfredo Midence made his debut for Charlotte Independence after being announced joining the squad on a season loan from Lexington SC. Midence started the match as a second striker on the right side alongside Christian Chaney.
Midence’s fellow Lexington loan out Kimball Jackson made his first league start for Chattanooga at right midfield/wing. Jackson made a notable goal line block on an open net shot by Midence.
Chattanooga appeared to be coming into the match with a roster of just 14, but announced three signings earlier in the day to boost the depth: Alhassan Alhassan, Omar Gomez and Zahir Vasquez. Alhassan, an academy signing, started the match at left midfield, while Vasquez entered in the 63rd minute and Gomez in the 73rd.
Chattanooga’s Omar Hernandez and Joshua Ramos were listed as injured in the prematch report, but ended up rostered on the bench to start the match. Both entered as substitutions in the 63rd minute.
Chattanooga goalkeeper Jason Smith secured his first professional clean sheet, with two saves. Smith has yet to concede a goal in open play.
Meanwhile, Charlotte goalkeeper Matt Levy secured his third consecutive clean sheet in league play.
The teams combined for 36 fouls, with seven yellow cards.
Match Details
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Capacity: 10,500
Attendance: 623
Goals
None
Discipline
CHA: Kinzner, 13’ - Yellow
CLT: Ndiaye, 27’ - Yellow
CHA: Alhassan, 29’ - Yellow
CLT: Alvarez, 78’ - Yellow
CHA: Ramos, 82’ - Yellow
Charlotte Roster
Not Used: Drew Romig, Nathan Gray, Christopher Jaime, Pele Ousmanou, Adrian Renteria
Injured/Scratched: Jon Bakero (lower body)
Chattanooga Roster
Not Used: Ricardo Jérez, Gharett Morris
Injured/Scratched: Tobi Jnohope (red card suspension), Greyson Mercer (lower body), Wynand Wessels (lower body)
Next Up
Both sides will have US Open Cup action this week, with Charlotte hosting Carolina Core on Tuesday, and Chattanooga traveling across town to Chattanooga FC on Wednesday. In league play, Chattanooga will host South Georgia Tormenta on Saturday, April 5th, while Charlotte will travel to Greenville.
