Preview: Kickers Hope to Bounce Back Against Charlotte

Opponent:  Charlotte Independence (16-5-5)
Date/Time: Saturday, September 19th,  6:00 PM
Last Result: 5-2 Loss Against West Chester

Weather Forecast from Weatherbug.com

Three Things to Kick About

1. Five – Five was the number of goals the Kickers allowed in the first half in their game against West Chester. The defense was repeatedly got ball watching, flat footed, not tracking and any other negative descriptor you can think of for defenders. It’s worth noting that the Kickers did come back and score two in the 2nd half but once you dug a hole 5 goals deep you’re not likely to come back and the Kickers did not.
2. Attendance – Despite the Kickers poor performance the Kickers are averaging over 4,000 fans per game. That’s the good news. The bad news is that is a 7% drop from previous years. Attendance has dropped the past 3 years. It is frankly shocking that a team that is playing this poorly ranks 3rd in the league in attendance. AC Boise ranks #1 in attendance and our moving up to USLC next year so if we throw their numbers out the Kicker would be #2 in the league.
3. Playoffs – I flunked high school math so I can’t tell you how the Kickers still have a chance of making the playoffs. If by some miracle the Kickers were to make the playoffs they would likely face either Charlotte or Union Omaha. The game on Saturday is a preview of how that game would likely go.

Prediction

It is rare that I’m this pessimistic going into a game. The numbers however speak for themselves. Charlotte 16 wins, 53 points, and a GD of 23 (best in the league). The Kickers have 5 wins, 20 points, and -27 GD. The only stat the Kicker lead Charlotte in are; Fouls Conceded, Yellow Cards (16 more), and Red Cards. Souaibou Marou of Charlotte is in the running for Golden Boot and has 12 goals. Charlotte has an impressive 61 goals so far best in the league 13 above 2nd place Union Omaha. The Kickers have netted 24 goals and it’s no surprise that is the worst in the league. It could get ugly and I think it will.

Kickers – 1
Charlotte – 4