Toronto FC II travel to Charlotte this weekend to take on the Independence (7:00 PM). To get you set here is everything you need to know about the Jacks.
2017 Season
The Independence put together a strong 2017 campaign, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference with a 13-10-9 record. Charlotte got off to a great start and sat in first place in late August. However, they faltered down the stretch losing five straight to end the year. The Jacks fell out of the USL Cup playoffs in the quarterfinals after a loss to the Rochester Rhinos.
The Jacks got an MVP-caliber season from midfielder Enzo Martinez. The former first-round MLS SuperDraft pick put up a 16 goal 5 assist season and was named to the All-League First Team. Martinez’s play earned him an MLS contract with the Colorado Rapids this offseason.
All-time record
The Independence holds the edge in the all-time series with TFC II holding a 1-2-3 record all-time against Charlotte. However, last season the Reds went 1-0-1 against the Jacks, playing to a thrilling 2-2 draw at BMO Field and then coming back from down two goals on the road to pick up the 3-2 victory in Charlotte.
Jordan Hamilton was great against Charlotte last season picking up three goals in the two games against them. Ben Spencer and Ashtone Morgan had the other goals for the Young Reds.
Current Form
Charlotte opened their season last weekend with a decisive 4-1 home victory over Ottawa Fury FC.
Key Players
Midfielder Jorge Herrera had a productive 2017 for the Jacks as the Columbian put up 12 goals and 5 assists. The veteran midfielder has spent the last three seasons with the Jacks and played prior in the USL with the Charlotte Eagles. He is second all-time in league scoring. The 37-year-old is off to a good start this year converting a penalty and forcing an own goal in the opening day victory against the Fury.
The other goal scorer in that match was Cordell Cato, who had a brace against Ottawa. The midfield/forward is in his first season in Charlotte after a six-year MLS career with the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders. Cato scored seven times in 119 MLS matches and has been capped 20 times by the Trinidad and Tobago National team.
Canadian Content
The Jacks currently have zero Canadians on their roster.
Kickoff on Saturday is set for 7:00 PM from Charlotte. You can keep up with all the action on twitter and watch the match on tfc2.ca.
