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Matchday Preview: Austin Bold FC vs. Charlotte Independence

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 10/29/21, 8:47AM EDT

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Bold FC faces must-win for playoff chances against Independence side looking to clinch second place


Austin Bold FC's Collin Fernandez and the Charlotte Independence's Enzo Martinez will both look to be difference-makers as their sides meet for the first time with high stakes for both at Bold Stadium.

AUSTIN, Texas – Austin Bold FC and the Charlotte Independence will meet for the first time in their histories on Saturday night at Bold Stadium with the hosts needing all three points to have a chance at reaching the USL Championship Playoffs, and the Independence looking for a win that would seal secod place in the Atlantic Division. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.

@AustinBoldFC (10-10-11, 41pts) played to a 0-0 draw on the road against San Antonio FC last Saturday night in its most recent outing, but now sits three points out of the playoff positions behind Rio Grande Valley FC as it arrives at its final game of the regular season. Bold FC would need to take victory against the Independence and see both the Toros and New Mexico United suffer defeat to move into fourth place as it holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Rio Grande Valley FC this season. Austin has been led this campaign by its stout defense with goalkeeper Austin Panicco recording his 11th shutout of the season against San Antonio while having recorded 65 saves on the campaign for a sub-1.00 goals-against average. The challenge for Bold FC has been in front of goal, though, with the side sitting fourth-last in the league with only 31 goals in 31 games this season.

The @Independence (18-9-4, 58pts) continued their drive toward the postseason on Wednesday night when they took a 1-0 victory against Loudoun United FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Enzo Martinez scored the only goal of the game late in the first half for his seventh goal of the season as Charlotte took its sixth consecutive victory and remained a point ahead of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC for second place in the Atlantic Division. The visitors have been among the strongest sides in the final stretch of the campaign, with victories in 10 of their last 11 games overall as both Dane Kelly and Irvin Parra have recorded 11 goals apiece to lead the side. Kelly remains on 99 regular-season goals in the Championship for his career, but after going close to breaking the century mark in midweek the Jamaican will be keen to deliver the goal that earns his side a home playoff game for a second consecutive season.

FiveThirtyEight.com Match Predictor: Austin Bold FC 33%, Charlotte Independence 40%, Draw 28%

Most Recent Lineups

Austin Bold FC (4-4-2): Elliot Panicco; Amobi Okugo, Fabien Garcia, Jermaine Taylor, Gustavo Rissi; Kofi Sarkodie, Juan Pablo Torres, Xavier Baez, Collin Fernandez; Sonny Guadarrama, Aldo Quintanilla

Charlotte Independence (3-4-3): Austin Pack; Kevin Riascos, Hugh Roberts, Christian Fuchs; Jose Bizama, Brandt Bronico, Marcelo Palomino, Adam Armour; Enzo Martinez, Dane Kelly, Gabriel Obertan

Discipline

Austin Bold FC – Suspended: Jorge Troncoso

Charlotte Independence – None

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