2026 US Open Cup Round 3: Charlotte FC dominate in Queen City derby vs. Independence

MLS side Charlotte FC registered its largest win in club history with a 6-0 win over crosstown rival Charlotte Independence of USL League One in the first meeting between the two professional sides from the Queen City in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Independence went down to 10 men in the 23rd minute, and held on defensively until Australian forward Archie Goodwin opened the scoring for Charlotte FC in the 45th minute.Then the floodgates open, with goals by Henry Kessler in the 60th minute, Nimfasha Berchimas in the 68th, David Schnegg in the 73rd, Kerwin Vargas in the 86th, and Baye Coulibaly wrapped up the scoring in the 88th minute to send the MLS side to the Round of 16 for the fourth time in four tries.

Supporters were buzzing with excitement as this much anticipated intracity rivalry finally came to fruition. And as the whistle started play, each team proved they were ready to give the fans a show.

But an early injury for the Independence forced coach Mike Jeffries to make a formation change, substituting midfielder Enzo Martinez for center back Kevin Riascos in the 16th minute. Seven minutes later, another hit to the Jacks as goalkeeper Giorgios Tasouris was sent off with a red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity against Charlotte FC’s Archie Goodwin.

That brought another quick pivot as young winger Viggo Ortiz (who had scored the match-winner in the previous round) was substituted out for goalkeeper Matt Levy. Both teams started to press, hoping that the other would break. As stoppage time was announced, Charlotte FC’s Goodwin scored on a quick header off a perfect shot from Rodolfo Aloko, who has just recently been signed to Charlotte FC from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Crown Legacy FC.

It had been like a dam broken open by the time Charlotte FC hit their stride in the second half.  Up a goal and a man, the team was ready for a statement win. Five more players contributed goals, including United States youth standout and homegrown player Nimfasha Berchimas.

This game marks his first significant minutes with Charlotte FC this season, typically playing for Crown Legacy, where he currently has six goals and an assist. When asked about his training, Berchimas mentions he seeks advice from more established Charlotte FC players, such as Wilfried Zaha.

“He gives me advice of how to play with first-team players,” he said. “He’s an attacker as well, so how to dribble, when to dribble, when to crossover. I’m just gonna keep listening to him and doing what he says.”

He is also a player with a plan.

“Every routine is the same for me,” he said. “I’m not going to change anything it’s a cup or a league game.”

Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith knows that all games can’t be like this.

“You won’t go and win every cup game 6-nil or 5-nil,” he said. “It’ll be 11 versus 11, which is something that was the main advantage we had today.  But we’ve got a squad, and we’ve got depth.”

Even with the man-up advantage, Smith expected the most from his players.

“You’ve still got to work hard, still got to run,” he said. “You’ve still got to call out the opposition, run them out of positions, and you’ve still got to do that when you’re against 10 or 11 men.”

And coming into the game, he knew better than to take his opponent lightly. 

“I said to the players before, there’s an expectation tonight that you’re going to win,” he added. “If you don’t treat it with respect and the opposition with the respect they deserve, you can sometimes get egg on your face.”

Based on the draw held prior to this round, Charlotte FC has top hosting priority for the next round of the Open Cup, and will be up against Atlanta United the week of April 28-29.  The club will return to MLS player Saturday, April 18th in traveling to NYCFC.

Charlotte Independence also resumes league play on the road Saturday at One Knoxville SC.