Statesboro, GA – South Georgia Tormenta FC advance to the semifinal round of the USL League One playoffs with a 2-1 defeat of Charlotte Independence. In their postseason debut, Tormenta FC was powered by their regular season goals leader, Kazaiah Sterling, who scored in the 48th minute, and converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute.
Charlotte struck early with a nearly field length drive by Frenchman Gabriel Obertan in the 8th minute. However, Tormenta FC responded in the second half, and a minute after their 48th minute goal, Charlotte’s Héctor Acosta was shown a red for an ugly takedown of Sterling. Charlotte then allowed the penalty kick on a Khori Bennett handball inside the box.
Charlotte was shown 8 total cards including Acosta’s red, while Tormenta FC saw none.
Tormenta FC, as the higher seed to come out of the first round, will face second seeded Greenville Triumph on Saturday October 29th.
Scoring
Charlotte Independence – Obertan (Santos) 8′
Tormenta FC – Sterling (Adjei) 48′
Tormenta FC – Sterling (Penalty) 77′
Attendance: 1,268 (+227 above regular season average)