CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The more things change for the Charlotte Independence, the more they have stayed the same, with the club once again sitting in fifth place in the USL Eastern Conference, the exact position the club has finished in for the past two seasons. But there are signs of improvement this year that could see the Independence break through to earn a first home playoff game in club history. With the club on a three-match winning streak after Saturday's victory against the Richmond Kickers, the steady improvement the team has shown has continued even with the offseason departure of two-time USL Most Valuable Player finalist Enzo Martinez.

Accuracy in passing and shooting have been key to the Independence’s successful run this year, with the two typically going hand in hand for Charlotte, which has used accurate passing to unlock the opposing defense, and create opportunities. The forwards are then selective with their shots, not just shooting at the first opportunity but waiting for the highest percentage shot to come through, even if it means laying off an assist. 

Both of those elements are clearly present in the goal scored by Cordell Cato at the death of the first half, with three sharp passes sending the Independence's midfielders behind the Kickers’ back line. But beyond those crisp passes, there was a presence of mind from Yann Ekra, who had already scored once, that his teammate would have the easier chance. So with that in mind, Ekra laid it off square for Cato who is left with a simple tap-in to double his side’s lead. Also notable is that Ekra remains in position to pick up any potential deflection or rebound to make sure the opportunity is taken.

It is that sort of passing that has the Independence flying high, and that was common throughout the match, as they made 616 passes all match at a passing accuracy of 86.9 percent on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Richmond Kickers last Saturday. That was Charlotte’s highest passing output of the season, besting the mark they made one week earlier against Toronto FC II of 576.

But it’s not just passing, it’s about passing accurately, with the Independence holding an 84.2 percent accuracy rate all season, good for fifth place in the league. That rate has been improving throughout the season as well, with the last two matches for the side the two strongest of the season and the seventh and eighth best for the whole league in individual matches.

A lot of teams have a significant drop in passing accuracy when entering the opponent’s half, but that drop is only an eight percent drop for the Independence. That sees them top the league in passing accuracy in their opponent's half with a 76 percent accuracy, and record assists on 14 of their 15 goals this season excluding those scored from the penalty spot, the highest ratio in the top half of the USL's goal leaders this season

With such strong passing, the Independence have been able to wait patiently for chances, just like Cato’s goal last Saturday. Waiting for the perfect chance has led to plenty of success for the team, which has a 21.25 percent shot conversion rate, second only this season to the LA Galaxy II.

This Saturday the Independence face off against a resurgent Ottawa Fury FC on the road at TD Place (7 p.m. ET | Match Center) a side they beat 4-1 at home to open the season. But since then things have changed dramatically for Ottawa, with Fury FC now on a five-game shutout streak that has helped its drive up the standings.

In the prior meeting between the two clubs, Fury FC conceded 14 shots overall and seven on target to its hosts, but of late Ottawa's solidified back line has limited clear looks on goal for its opponents in going 477 minutes without conceding. In his past four outings, Fury FC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau has had to make only eight saves, a clear tightening in the back line for the club from Canada's capital since its slow start to the season. 

That means Charlotte's passing accuracy is going to again have to be at its best on Saturday night at TD Place to create the chances it will need for victory. If the Independence can continue to run the channels and have its midfield make timely runs in behind to pull Fury FC's defense out of position a fourth consecutive victory could be on the cards. With both teams in strong form going in, though, it’s going to be a thrilling battle in Canada on Saturday.