AUSTIN, Texas – Gabriel Obertan scored with 11 minutes to go as the Charlotte Independence earned a 1-1 draw with Austin Bold FC on Saturday night at Bold Stadium having previously earned the No. 2 seed in the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs, presented by TwinSpires after Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was held in a scoreless draw by Hartford Athletic earlier in the night.

With both club’s playoff fate decided before kickoff – Austin having been eliminated through New Mexico United’s victory earlier in the night – the game took a little while to get going as the first good look on goal didn’t arrive until the 20th minute when Beto Avila curled a turning shot from the top of the penalty area just wide of the right post. Five minutes later it was the turn of Enzo Martinez, who fired just wide of the left upright from 25 yards with a low shot.

The visitors threatened again as the game moved into first-half stoppage time when Christian Fuchs fired from distance to force a save by Austin’s Elliot Panicco, with Martinez try on the rebound blocked away. The game began to pick up as the second half began, however, as Avila skied a finish from inside the penalty area under pressure from Independence defender Hugh Roberts, before Irvin Parra had a low shot from 25 yards toward the left corner parried away by Panicco.

Bold FC took the lead in the 63rd minute, however, as its high pressure paid off when Alasanne Ates Diouf deflected an intended pass inside the Charlotte penalty area into the path of Avila, who quickly finished into the right side of the net. Avila had another chance nine minutes later as he received a low cross from Diouf on the right, but after regathering possession after a poor first touch his turning shot went wide of the right post.

Obertan then leveled in the 79th minute after Sylvain Marveaux retained possession near the top of the penalty area and played a through-ball to Adam Armour in the left side of the penalty area. Armour cut back a cross from the byline for the French midfielder to tuck home a first-time finish from close range for the equalizer.

Two minutes later the Independence had a chance to take the lead as a low cross by Martinez found Dane Kelly, whose first effort was blocked at short range, sending the ball above the six-yard area where the Jamaican was first to react and head on target, only for substitute goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux to make the save. The biggest late chance instead came to the hosts with a minute remaining when Avila stole possession inside the penalty area and struck a shot that was deflected before Charlotte goalkeeper Austin Pack blocked the ball wide. A minute later, Diouf had a final chance that went over the crossbar, leaving the sides all square.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Gabriel Obertan, Charlotte Independence – Obertan provided the equalizer for the visitors and had a solid game overall in midfield, completing 46 of 50 passes and winning 10 of 14 duels while making seven recoveries.

Scoring Summary
ATX – Beto Avila (Alasanne Ates Diouf) 63’
CLT – Gabriel Obertan (Adam Armour) 79’

Full Box Score