Charlotte Independence 2015 (R)

I missed Riley's transgression, what was it?

Hope he isn't suspended for the next match as he seemed to have a decent game v Philly.

 

Karate kick to the opposing player. I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't some sort of DisCo action. IMO, It was card worthy, although Burling's second yellow was a bit soft so it all worked out.

rod.

 

March 27th is our first match against Charleston Battery, the Houston Dynamo affiliate.

 

A bit soft, but it's made up for due to the utter stupidity of the foul. I had no problem with the second yellow being given.

 

Caleb Calvert scored in the first minute of our scrimmage last night against UNC Charlotte. There was a broken play on defense for UNCC and the goalie came out a bit. Caleb made a move and poked in the goal from just outside the box.

Berner and Eloundou also started for us last night. Berner had a few nice saves and also came out of goal twice, once taking out a UNCC player and another time running into one of our own guys resulting in our defender getting a concussion.

Eloundou looked strong playing in a LW spot. The ball stuck to his feet and he was able to make a few nice runs. The majority of his play was in the first half when we had more of the trialists in so as a whole that first half was pretty sloppy.

We ended up losing 2-1 on a late defensive lapse where our defender basically handed the ball to the UNCC forward for an open shot on goal. Overall in preseason the team has gone 0-3-2 with a lot of turnover of trialists. The signed and Rapids guys definitely look in a different class then most of the others we've been trying out.

Here's a good breakdown of the players we've had in and out of preseason.

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Not yet signed but who I expect to stick with the club: Chris Estridge, Jack Thompson, Ryan Finley, Raphael Cox, Mamadou Kansaye, Charlie Bales

 

Interesting that Newnam is still here in Colorado.

 

Is CB Grant Van De Casteele there (2014 Rapids #1b pick)?

I thought for sure he would end up there if Rapids didn't re-sign him. Maybe one of the Texas USL sides since he is from there.

 

Not yet. I commented up thread I thought Grant or Neeskens looked like viable candidates to be loaned to Charlotte. But then both were unsigned/released and haven't ended up on a team as far as I can tell. We were told 4 players would come on loan and we have 3 currently. So it wouldn't surprise me to see Grant sign and be loaned out. Or I threw around the idea that Newnam was going to be released from his Independence contract, sign with the Rapids and then be loaned out to us.

 

Maybe its more fair to the player to see if they can get on with another MLS club first before going the USL route.

 

New CB wearing #2 for @RochesterRhinos is Grant Van De Casteele, a graduate of Notre Dame who played for @ColoradoRapids last season in @MLS

— Soccer Kick Radio (@radiosoccer) March 15, 2015

 

Well, there's the answer for GVDC. Glad he found a new location, not sure why though we couldn't resign him and keep him in Charlotte...

 

Thanks for the insight and news ... GREATLY APPRECIATED!

 

Given the situiation last year and him only getting in 1 game although we had critical CB needs, I guess he just didn't have ability for MLS level. Why waste a slot like we did for years on Armstrong if you know they just are not likely to ever get there.

 

I agree that wasting a space isn't ideal by any means, but why use a high pick like that and not let him develop in your system (totally separate subject as to if the Rapids EVEN have a system right now)...especially now that the USL relationship exists. I mean I think Grant, Watts, Neeksen, and Eloundu are all players that with the right direction could flourish into MLS or equal leagues elsewhere quality players.

 

Richmond beat Charlotte 3-0 last night with Berner, Hairston, Eloundou and Calvert all getting time. Berner and Hairston going the full 90, Eloundou starting and getting subbed off at '72 and Calvert coming on as a sub at the 63'.
http://www.richmondkickers.com/home/872676.html

 

Harrisburg City Islanders at Charlotte on now at:

 

1-1, Charlotte took an early lead but Harrisburg were able to tie it up after the half. Quick match summary up on the USL site: http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=210047573 Hopefully Crown Town Soccer will put up a better analysis.

I missed the opening (and opening goal) but watched the rest of the match. Hairston and CO native Patrick Slogic had good games. Calvert played as well. I believe Berner was in goal but never heard his name called and missed the lineups.

 

One quote I didn't like reading in the game summary: "The Independence’s misery was compounded when defender Marlon Hairston was forced out of the game from injury in the 39th minute."

http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=210066722