MATTHEWS, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence handed the Tampa Bay Rowdies their first loss of the 2021 USL Championship season on Saturday night as Junior Etou’s goal proved the difference in a 1-0 win in Charlotte’s home opener at the Sportsplex at Matthews.

The game opened quietly as neither side was able to manufacture a shot until the 20th minute, but then the Independence began to get on top with a surge of attacking play. The first big chance came in the 23rd minute as a loose touch in midfield by the Rowdies allowed Marcelo Palomino to break forward and play in Irvin Parra for a big opportunity that he rang off the left post. The ball caromed out and off Charlotte’s Clay Dimick back toward goal, but the Rowdies’ Yann Ekra was able to clear the ball to safety off the line.

The Independence took the lead in the 25th minute, however, as Parra was brought down in the penalty area by Tampa Bay’s Forrest Lasso. Etou stepped up to the spot and fired a low shot to the bottom-right corner that Rowdies goalkeeper Evan Louro appeared to get a touch to, but couldn’t keep out. Parra then went close to a second on the half-hour mark as his first-time shot off a cross from the left by Thomas de Villardi deflected wide of the right post.

Tampa Bay had a chance to equalize eight minutes before halftime as a corner kick by Lewis Hilton from the right found Lasso, only for his flicked header to slide wide of the left post and out of the reach of Sebastian Guenzatti as he slid in at the back post. The Independence then had a second chance to convert from the spot with a minute to go in the first half as Brandt Bronico was brought down by Jordan Scarlett, but this time Louro came up with a great save as Parra tried to shoot to the left corner from the spot, keeping it a one-goal game at the break.

Charlotte continued to hold the upper hand into the second half, limiting the Rowdies’ clear looks at goal, and on the hour-mark Palomino fired a shot just over the crossbar from 25 yards as the hosts looked for a second. Tampa Bay’s first good look after the break came with 18 minutes to go as Jordan Adebayo-Smith flicked on a pass for fellow substitute Foster Langsdorf, who controlled and fired a low shot to the right corner of the net that forced Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller into his first save of the night.

The Independence threatened to double their lead again in the 79th minute as a cross by De Villardi from the left found Dane Kelly, who controlled and fired a left-footed shot that Louro had to tip over the crossbar. Miller then came up big again with an important denial after Leo Fernandes stole possession on the left and quickly delivered a cross toward Langsdorf for a header that the goalkeeper smothered and kept out. The visitors were unable to find a way through in the closing stages, however, as the Independence held on for victory to snap Tampa Bay’s perfect start to the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Junior Etou, Charlotte Independence – Etou scored the lone goal from the penalty spot and also completed 49 of 52 passes and won 6 of 7 duels to help lead the hosts to victory.

Scoring Summary
CLT – Junior Etou (Penalty Kick) 25’

Full Box Score