The heated “Dogwood Derby” between USL Championship team North Carolina FC and USL League One team Charlotte Independence lived up to its name in the Third Round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. While NCFC was ahead in shots and possession, it was Independence’s Jon Baquero who struck first in the 49th minute. North Carolina was soon to answer with three goals in quick succession. A goal in the 71st minute by Oalex Anderson and a brace by Rodrigo Da Costa in the 74th and 77th minute made for smooth sailing into the next round for NCFC, with the final score being 3-1.
As the match began, both teams saw quite a few chances, with NCFC striking with a shot in the first minute. Independence struck back with two back-to-back chances in the 8th and 9th minutes – both with Luis Alvarez involved.
Independence’s next big chance was in the 39th minute, with Souaibou Marou’s shot sailing just over the crossbar. Plenty of set pieces were afforded to NCFC, but none were able to find the back of the net. And so, halftime came with a 0-0 stalemate.
The second half began just as strongly as the first, with Oalex Anderson giving two shots in rapid succession within the first two minutes. As hot as NCFC started, Independence answered right back.
Jon Baquero’s shot at close range hit true, with an assist from Luis Alvarez. Now North Carolina was on the hunt for an equalizer and almost had one with a shot from Ahmad Al-Qaq in the 59th minute.
There wasn’t much time to wait for that equalizer, with one of Anderson’s many shots on the night finally finding its target in the 71st minute. Control of the field shifted once again, punctuated by another goal from North Carolina, this time from Da Costa in the 74th minute, followed by another in the 77th minute, a brace for the Brazilian.
For the remainder of the game, the Independence just couldn’t find the answer to such a quick cluster of goals. Once the final whistle blew, it was North Carolina heading into the next round.
North Carolina FC Sporting Director and Head Coach John Bradford was proud of his team’s accomplishments.
“It was a quick turn-around for us having played in New Mexico this weekend and to get down here yesterday to play tonight. The guys did well after conceding a goal against the run of play – to stay disciplined and then get to respond – was positive and a whole team effort. The who came on really impacted the game.”
And about this particular match-up, Bradford had this to say:
“It’s a good group, a well coached group, there’s a lot of respect for the Independence and we knew tonight was going to be a situation where we had to come in and try to be the aggressor and dictate the game and I thought we did that. And it won’t be long until we see them again.”
This is Bradford’s second time bringing NCFC to the round of 32 as Head Coach, and he has high hopes for his team.
“I’ve followed the Open Cup for years, as well as the history of it, and so for us to be able to compete in it, is a privilege that we don’t take lightly. The opportunity for us to win, whether it be the league, the Jägermeister Cup, or the Open Cup, is something we want our players to value, and they do.”
NCFC travels south this weekend to play against Miami FC Saturday, April 19, and Charlotte Independence will host South Georgia Tormenta this Sunday in league play. Another instance of this rivalry looms close, with these teams meeting each other again in Cary, NC for the USL Jägermeister Cup opening match on April 26. North Carolina FC will play in the next round of the Open Cup on May 6 or 7. The draw for the next round will be this Thursday, April 17.