There was little to separate the two teams on the field Tuesday night in Charlotte in the Second Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The visiting South Carolina United Heat (UPSL) and the host Charlotte Independence (USL League One) played to a dramatic scoreless draw through 120 minutes that could only be broken by the strong right hand of Independence keeper Austin Pack in the fifth round of penalty kicks.
The South Carolina amateur side was looking for another road Cupset in North Carolina after they had knocked out Crown Legacy FC in the first round just two weeks ago. The North Carolina pros were dealing with several injuries in their team selection and these changes disrupted the rhythm and circulation of the team.
“It was a hard night and they (SCU Heat) gave us a very good game,” said Independence head coach Mike Jefferies. “They were super organized. We were prepared in terms of what we expected from them, but I don’t think we were strong enough mentally going into the game. I thought we were casual with the first half, not sharp, let the game drift, and played at their tempo too much.”
The first half of the match saw both teams unable to find the final, quality ball in the attacking third resulting in mis-timed connections and errant shots from distance. The Independence enjoyed a 2-to-1 edge in possession on the evening but this ball control wasn’t in the attacking half and never translated into dangerous chances inside the Heat penalty box. The Heat were very organized defensively with large numbers behind the ball and the visitors were content to absorb the pressure and then break out on a quick counter when the moment arrived.
The second half saw the best chances in the run of play from both teams as the Heat in the 55th minute produced a wild scramble in a crowded Independence box that had Pack charging off his line blocking two Heat shots around the penalty spot. The Independence in the 73rd minute after some quick combination play had a shot from the top of the box rattle off the bar to keep the score at 0-0.
During extra time both teams were searching for a long-range winner but none of these hopeful shots could find a way through the concentrated defensive blocks guarding their goals. Both teams had emptied the tank over the 120 minutes played and two exhausted teams went to the spot to decide who advances into the third round.
SCU Heat kicked first and converted their penalty despite Austin Pack getting a touch to the ball in the Charlotte net.
Zach Rowell then made a diving save for the Heat punching away the stutter-step Independence effort to give them the advantage.
Both players made the second penalty to make the score 2-1 Heat after two rounds.
The third Heat kicker slipped at the time of his penalty and Pack dove to the left and turned the stray ball away. Charlotte converted their third kick and it was knotted 2-2 after three kicks.
Both teams netted the fourth penalty to set up the final deciding moment of the match.
Austin Pack waited for the left-footed Heat kicker to open his hips and then Pack dove confidently to his right to flip the advantage to Charlotte. The final, penalty-winning kick was hammered high into the net by Charlotte defender Fabrice Ngah to send them through to the third round.
It was a very muted celebration as Ngah embraced Pack and his teammates after this exhausting match. The Charlotte Independence now await Thursday’s Third Round draw to see which USL Championship side they face in couple of weeks.
In their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup debut the UPSL amateur side SCU Heat posted a 1-0-1 record recording two shutouts against professional opponents. The victory over MLS NEXT Pro Crown Legacy 1-0 and the draw versus USL One Charlotte Independence 0-0 are exactly the type results Heat head coach Asher Quave-Robinson prepares his side to deliver. The Heat were on a mission to be “more than just a UPSL team” when they take the field. A solid debut and clever warmup shirt from the “drywall installers and substitute teachers” in the 2024 US Open Cup.