CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence scored twice in as many minutes to turn a halftime deficit into a 2-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium as Enzo Martinez and Irvin Parra provided the goals for the hosts.

The Red Bulls II grabbed an early lead as Jake LaCava collected a long pass up the right side and tried to lift a cross toward Luther Archimede, only for Independence defender Hugh Roberts to intercept but head the ball into his own net with goalkeeper Austin Pack stranded. LaCava then almost added a second in the 12th minute as Omar Sowe wove past a defender and centered to the top of the penalty area where LaCava controlled and shot but saw his effort parried away.

Charlotte’s first good look at goal didn’t arrive until the 26th minute when Jake Areman was found in space on the left and delivered a fine ball to the back post where Sylvain Marveaux was arriving, but the French forward’s volleyed finish was smothered by New York’s AJ Marcucci. Six minutes later another chance arrived as Martinez delivered a cross from the right byline, but Kevin Riascos’ header went over the crossbar.

The Independence continued to push for an equalizer before the halftime break, but New York held onto its one-goal lead as Parra and Brandt Bronico each had late chances. That pressure continued into the second half, and in the 52nd minute Parra was fouled in the penalty area by New York’s Kyle Zajec, resulting in a penalty kick. Riascos stepped up but was first denied by Marcucci on a low shot to the left, and then on the rebound as the goalkeeper recovered to block before the defense arrived to clear to safety.

In the 66th minute the Independence’s pressure finally told, however, as Joel Johnson got to the right byline and lifted a cross centrally that was controlled by Enzo Martinez and tucked home for his fifth goal of the season. A minute later, they were ahead as Parra was left unmarked in the center of the penalty area and was picked out by a cross from the left by Areman that he headed into the right corner of the net.

Parra was soon replaced by Dane Kelly, and the Jamaican quickly tried to add to his goals in the past two games as he streaked down the left after receiving a pass from Areman and shot just wide of the near post. New York’s Sowe almost carved out a chance for the visitors to level, too, but his turning shot from the top of the penalty area flew just wide of the top-right corner with eight minutes to go, while in the 89th minute JC Cortez flicked a good header on target off a corner from the right by Daniel Edelman that Pack sharply claimed. The Independence saw out the game from there, though, to move to the doorstep of a playoff berth.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Irvin Parra, Charlotte Independence – Parra notched what proved to be the game-winner after what had been a frustrating night in front of goal prior, and worked tirelessly for the side in winning 9 of 13 duels and 2 of 2 tackles while completing 14 of 17 passes.

Scoring Summary
NY – Hugh Roberts (Own Goal) 3’
CLT – Enzo Martinez (Joel Johnson) 66’
CLT – Irvin Parra (Jake Areman) 67’

Full Box Score