Charlotte Independence are now without a win in four and have lost three in a row after a 1-0 home loss to FC Cincinnati on Friday night. They have been shutout in those three defeats, also.
The Rapids’ USL affiliate went behind to a Kevin Schindler goal 15 minutes from time. They had the chance to snatch a point, but Jorge Herrera had a stoppage-time penalty saved by Mitch Hildebrandt, to extend the Independence’s losing streak.
This was only Cincinnati’s third road win of the season, and their first since July 15.
The Independence dropped to third in the Eastern Conference, behind Charleston Battery on goal difference. They head to leaders Louisville City on Saturday, before wrapping up the regular season with a home game against the Battery on October 14.
On-loan Rapids striker Caleb Calvert came off the bench for the final 10 minutes, but Dennis Castillo and Development Academy goalkeeper Kainoa Likewise were both unused substitutes for Charlotte.
Elsewhere, Rapids’ rookie Sam Hamilton started the two most recent games for Phoenix Rising FC in the Western Conference of the USL. He played 90 minutes in last Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Portland Timbers 2, but was replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips after 62 minutes of Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Sacramento Republic FC.
That reversal in Sacramento ended an 11-game unbeaten run, and a four-match winning streak - both club records. Rising FC remain fifth in the Western Conference, with 49 points from 29 games. They complete the regular season with three home games, beginning with the visit of seventh-placed Tulsa Roughnecks on Wednesday.
