WHO:

Charlotte Independence, 10-3-6, 36 points, 2nd place Eastern Conference

WHAT:

A USL match

WHEN:

Saturday, August 5, 2017, 7:00 P.M.

WHERE:

Transamerica Field Winthrop Ramblewood Memorial Stadium Sportsplex at Matthews, 1505 Tank Town Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

WATCH:

We honestly don’t know where the club watch party is for this one, so we recommend the usual haunts: Against the Grain, Saints Pizza & Pub, Great Flood Brewing Company, Molly Malone’s, and Mellwood Tavern. It’ll be on TV on WBNA-21, radio on 840 WHAS, and of course the YouTubes.

WHO, AGAIN?

I’m pretty nervous about this one, y’all. Charlotte Independence have hit what they call a purple patch for the past eight weeks. They haven’t lost in their last nine matches, or since their visit to Louisville way back on June 7. In that time, they’ve rocketed up the table to take second place from us, though City does have a game in hand on the Jacks.

We know this team. It’s the same as it ever was. Alex and Enzo Martinez. Jorge Herrera. Lewis Hilton. Bilal Duckett. Henry Kalungi. These guys are solid, solid players. Mike Jeffries is high on the list of Coach of the Year candidates. Since finally settling at Matthews Sportsplex, this bunch have really settled in this season.

They’re a very good passing team. They can score a lot of goals – 37 on the season. They aren’t quite as good defensively, but still – nine games unbeaten. That’s getting it done.

City’s priority in this game has to be controlling the midfield and keeping Charlotte’s attackers out of the penalty area. Do that, and everything will be fine.

COME ON, CITY!