It was a thrilling debut for NPSL side Ristozi FC as they played their first Open Cup match against the USL League One team Charlotte Independence. Each team managed to find the back of the net in the first half, with an early goal by Charlotte’s Captain Clay Dimick in the 4th minute, and Ristozi’s Yohsuke Ono scoring in the 38th minute. The second half was all Jacks, however, with a go-ahead goal by Enzo Martinez in the 69th minute, and icing on the cake by Fabrice Ngah in the 87th minute and Christopher Jaime in the 89th minute to close out their 4-1 win.
The Baltimore-based Ristozi FC qualified for the Open Cup based on winning both the NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference championship and the East Region Championship in their first year in the league. As one of four NPSL National semifinalists, Ristozi FC gained an automatic spot in the first round. Last season, Charlotte Independence made it to the Third Round of the Open Cup, winning against the Long Island Rough Riders and Carolina Core FC before defeat by North Carolina FC. This is Charlotte Independence’s 10th appearance in the Open Cup.
Both teams were eager as the game whistled to a start, and Charlotte Independence struck first. Ristozi FC’s goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah blocked two quick shots from Luis Alvarez and Viggo Ortiz in the 3rd and 4th minutes, but Clay Dimick’s rebound shot stuck, giving the Jacks an early lead. Ristozi FC’s attempts over the next 30 minutes were varied and often, with most being waved away by the offside flag. It took a poorly aimed clearance to give Ristozi hope and a tying goal in the 38th minute, scored by midfielder Yohsuke Ono. It was obvious that a locker room rallying cry was needed at halftime for each time, the second half was up for grabs.
Charlotte Independence captain Clay Dimick knew just how to light that spark. “These games are tough for us,” he remarked. “The team we play against gives everything they have, and we have to treat it like business as usual. And the scoreline says just that. I’m really proud of the guys and the mentality we went out with to get the job done.” After losing the lead, mentality was the name of the game.
Head coach Mike Jeffries agrees. “We came in at halftime and just made sure that we picked our heads up .” Jeffries has quite a lot of history with teams in the Open Cup. This win marks the 18th time that he has been able to lead his team to the next round of the Open Cup competition.
The second half ramped up, and Ristozi FC’s Keeper Fordah was up against a tall task. The English keeper was pelted with 16 shots on goal, with 10 of those being in the second half. Enzo Martinez, returning to the Charlotte Independence after four seasons away, wasn’t happy enough with the tie, and took advantage of an open net in the 69th minute, easily pulling Charlotte ahead. For Martinez, it was his seventh career US Open Cup goal, and his third career game-winning goal in tournament play.
Fordah kept the game close, but Ristozi’s offense just couldn’t make it happen before tiring out. The Jacks took their time, and struck as the game was nearing its end, with two goals in quick succession by Fabrice Ngah and Christopher Jaime in the 87th and 89th minutes, respectively. Players from the Independence were happy to speak with the NPSL side after the final whistle, remarking on their first appearance in the competition.
Charlotte Independence will compete in the next round of the Open Cup, scheduled for the week of March 31 – April 1. Their USL League One home opener is scheduled for Friday, March 27 against Spokane Velocity. The NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference schedule has not yet been released, but aims for a start in May 2026.