Charlotte Independence Beat Forward Madison 2-1 to Reach USL League One Final
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Independence defeated Forward Madison 2-1 at home in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, on November 8 to advance to the 2026 USL League One Final.
Jon Bakero opened the scoring in the 9th minute, and Madison's Hakim Karamoko leveled just two minutes later. Before halftime, Bakero turned provider, setting up Sega Coulibaly's 40th-minute winner — Coulibaly's first goal for the club. Goalkeeper Matt Levy made seven saves as Charlotte held firm through seven minutes of stoppage time.
It is Charlotte's second trip to the league final in four seasons. The final will be played at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex on November 14 at 7:30 p.m. against first-year side Athletic Club Boise, who beat the Chattanooga Red Wolves in extra time in the other semifinal.
Source: Charlotte Independence
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 夏洛特 Bank of America Stadium 全景。（Bz3rk 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons）
