Greenville solidifies spot above playoff cutline with win over fourth-place Charlotte
Greenville, SC (August 5, 2023) – A late penalty kick goal from co-captain Aaron Walker gave the Greenville Triumph a thrilling late victory for the second straight year on the club’s Star Wars Night, as the team defeated the Charlotte Independence 3-2 in front of one of the largest home crowds of the season at Paladin Stadium on Saturday. Triumph forward Leo Castro added a pair of goals as he climbed to third in the league’s Golden Boot race.
Green light-up sabers filled the stands to cheer on the Triumph in the club’s second-ever Star Wars Night. The visitors came out of the gate in control, though, managing possession for much of the first half. Charlotte saw the first breakthrough in the 17th minute when they combined within Greenville’s 18-yard box, leading to a clinical finish by Dane Kelly that handed the 4th-place team the initial advantage. Greenville struggled to find the final pass needed to score until the dying moments of the opening frame. Just before the halftime whistle, forward Leo Castro soared above the defense, connected with a cross delivered from Allen Gavilanes to level the score and injecting new life into the home side. Just minutes later, Castro netted a second goal that gave Greenville the lead as they headed into the break.
As the second half commenced, Greenville maintained their starting lineup and rode the momentum from Castro’s brace. But a defensive lapse in the 47th minute gave Charlotte the opportunity to equalize at 2-2. Both teams battled for control, but time ticked away still in a stalemate. In the 86th minute, Charlotte conceded a handball in their 18-yard box and gave the Triumph a chance to recapture the lead. Aaron Walker stepped up to the penalty spot and confidently dispatched the kick, which gave Greenville a 3-2 lead in front of a flurry of green lightsabers. GTSC held the lead through a lengthy stoppage time and captured a vital three points, moving the club a full six points above the playoff cut line.
“It was great, you know that we have a great group of guys,” noted Associate Head Coach, Nico Luque. “It’s great to know that we have a staff that’s all on the same page. We know what we need to do with the leadership of John so it was easy to step up and say ‘Hey this is what we’ve been working on, this is what we need to do. We’ve been working on this we’re prepped and I know that the guys are going to work for it.”
Greenville now hits the road for consecutive away matches at North Carolina FC and Northern Colorado Hailstorm before returning home for a two-match week against Chattanooga and Omaha on August 23rd and 26th. Tickets are on sale now.
