CHARLOTTE, N.C. – South Georgia Tormenta FC suffered its second defeat against the Charlotte Independence in the 2023 USL League One regular season, falling 2-3 from American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday evening. Mukwelle Akale and Pedro Fonseca each scored one apiece on the road.
Charlotte put the pressure on TFC early in the match, forcing an incredible save from goalkeeper Pablo Jara in the fifth minute before eventually netting the first goal of the night in the eighth minute.
Mukwelle Akale had a couple of chances to even the scoreline moments later, but they were denied, and Charlotte made TFC pay for its missed chances by scoring another goal in the 20th minute.
Akale, though, would not be denied a third time and cut the lead with a sensational left-footed curler from distance three minutes later.
The Independence added a third goal before halftime, which left Tormenta FC in a tough situation. However, the team did not back down, and Fonseca converted a penalty kick in the 64th minute to give the visiting side hope.
TFC was unable to find the game-tying goal, though, and the team heads back to Statesboro, Georgia, with no points on the night.
Following Saturday’s result, Tormenta FC now shifts its attention to a home matchup against Forward Madison on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET from Optim Sports Medicine Field at Tormenta Stadium (ESPN+).
For additional information and scheduling interviews, email: acranford@tormentafc.com
