Charlotte Independence cruised past Richmond Kickers 3–1 at home on Friday night in USL League One action, with goals from Prince Saydee, Fabrice Ngah, and Souaibou Marou securing a comfortable victory. Sean Vinberg grabbed a consolation for Richmond late in the second half.

The Independence controlled the first half and broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when Saydee finished from a Jon Bakero feed to make it 1–0. Charlotte doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time as Ngah found the net to send the hosts into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Richmond needed a fast start to the second half but got the opposite. Marou extended Charlotte's lead in the 58th minute, converting after good work from Javen Romero to put the game effectively out of reach at 3–0.

Vinberg pulled one back for the Kickers in the 75th minute, but it proved to be nothing more than a late footnote. Richmond never seriously threatened an unlikely comeback, and the match played out without a single booking — a rarity for a contest that still carried competitive edge throughout.

The win strengthens Charlotte Independence's position in the USL League One table as the season pushes deeper into summer, while Richmond will need to regroup quickly after a night where they were second best for long stretches.