The Charleston Battery defeated the Charlotte Independence at home 1-0 in Round 3 of the 2023 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Tuesday.
It took until well into extra time before the deadlock was finally broken between Charleston and Charlotte. Substitute Nick Markanich gave the hometown Battery a 1-0 lead in the 112th minute. Chris Allan made a run down the left wing, crossed the ball to Markanich, who popped the ball up and volleyed it past the goalkeeper from close range.
The touch, the turn, the ????????????????????????. ????@Nmarkanich‘s match-winner that sent us through in the #USOC2023! pic.twitter.com/DCq6mSHNLf
— Charleston Battery (@Chas_Battery) April 26, 2023
The Battery defense would hold on to preserve the clean sheet in front of the fans at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It was the first Open Cup win by Charleston in extra time since 2007.
There were eight yellow cards shown across the 120 minutes played, with five handed out to Battery players and Charlotte players receiving three cautions.
For the Battery, it was the club’s 36th all-time win in the tournament, which ties FC Dallas for the third-most in the Modern Era.
In the 21st meeting between the two clubs, Charleston’s win was its 10th in the series while Charlotte Independence has beaten the Battery five times and the two teams have tied on six occasions.
The Battery advance to Round 4 of the US Open Cup where they will travel to face MLS side Inter Miami on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
