Triumph SC goes up early, but allows three in second half
Charlotte, NC (October 20, 2023) – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club’s 2023 season came to an end in the opening round of the USL League One Playoffs, as the club fell on the road to the Charlotte Independence, 3-2. Greenville led 1-0 at the half after a goal from Allen Gavilanes but conceded three straight to a resurgent Independence side in the second half before halving the deficit with only minutes remaining. The opening round exit was Greenville’s earliest in its five playoff campaigns.
As the match kicked off, a strong traveling contingent of Triumph fans were treated to a closely-fought contest early, with both sides creating scoring opportunities, setting the tone for a competitive evening. In the 8th minute, Greenville’s Jacob Labovitz had a chance to break the deadlock but missed a shot wide left from the top of the box. The first goal of the evening came in the 13th minute when Allen Gavilanes unleashed a shot from the top of the box, beating Charlotte’s goalkeeper, Austin Pack, to give Greenville a 1-0 lead.
Greenville’s defense, led by Brandon Fricke, proved to be a sturdy obstacle for the Charlotte attackers in the first half. Fricke’s crucial block denied Gabriel Obertan’s shot in the 25th minute, preventing a potential equalizer. The first half continued with Charlotte struggling to find the back of the net, and Greenville almost doubled its lead when Gavilanes whipped in a cross late in the half, but Leo Castro’s header sailed high over the bar.
The tone of the match flipped in the second half, with Charlotte coming out aggressively in search of a tying goal. In the 48th minute, Jared Mazzola made a diving save to deny Obertan and preserve Greenville’s lead. However, Charlotte wasn’t to be denied for long, as Joel Johnson scored a powerful half-volley from near the top of the box in the 51st minute to level the score at 1-1.
Greenville goalkeeper Mazzola continued to impress, making a crucial save in the 56th minute by pushing a dangerous shot over the bar, keeping the match level. The 63rd minute brought a moment of suspense when Charlotte’s shot hit the post, providing Greenville with a much-needed stroke of luck. However, Charlotte wouldn’t be denied, and they surged ahead 2-1 in the 74th minute after one of Obertan’s repeated attempts finally broke through. The Independence extended their lead in the 79th minute when Miguel Ibarra placed a shot past an outstretched Mazzola, making it 3-1 in favor of Charlotte.
Despite the odds stacked against them, Greenville showed their fighting spirit. In the 92nd minute, Nate Shultz found the back of the net off a corner kick with an assist from Gavilanes, reducing the deficit to 3-2. The Triumph mounted a determined effort to claw their way back into the match, but Charlotte managed to hold on to down Greenville and advance to the playoff semifinals.
“They came out strong in the second half,” said Triumph Head Coach John Harkes. “I think they just brought a little bit more energy than we did, We weren’t winning the second ball well and we lacked a little bit of patience. The quality of the final ball from us needs to be a bit better – if we get the second goal then I think we run away with the game, but they’re good team.”
Charlotte will now travel to Omaha or North Carolina FC pending the outcome of Saturday night’s Northern Colorado-Madison match. Greenville will head into the offseason before picking things back up for the club’s sixth season and second at Paladin Stadium in early March. Season Tickets for the 2024 season can be purchased on the team’s website.
