Charlotte Independence kept pace with Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC with a 3-0 home victory over Richmond Kickers on Saturday.
Enzo Martinez scored twice, and is now joint-top scorer across all of the USL, with 16 for the season. His goals came on the hour mark from the penalty spot, and in stoppage time. Jaime Siaj set Charlotte on their way with the opener after just three minutes.
The Rapids’ USL affiliate moved to 47 points from 26 games (13-5-8). They sit on the same number of points as Louisville, but lie second due to Louisville having won one more game. Third-place Charleston Battery are now six points behind after losing at Louisville. The Independence visit Charleston on Saturday.
Dennis Castillo went the full 90 at right-back, making a second start since returning to Charlotte on loan from the Rapids. Caleb Calvert, meanwhile, made a brief appearance as a late substitute - his first game for the Independence in 2017. He was loaned to Charlotte last week.
Sam Hamilton played the final 21 minutes for Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, during which they scored both goals in a 2-0 home win over Seattle Sounders 2. Hamilton - who has made three substitute appearances since joining the USL team on loan - replaced former Chelsea, Manchester City, and England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Phoenix moved into the playoff places in the Western Conference. They lie eighth, on 33 points from 22 games, and have at least two games in hand on all of the teams above them. One of those games in hand is played on Wednesday, when they host Orange County SC.
