Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Charleston Battery

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Ex-Battery man leads Tormenta FC to upset of Charleston in empty stadium

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South Georgia Tormenta FC Charleston Battery 2022 US Open Cup
Players from South Georgia Tormenta FC (left) and the Charleston Battery battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Tormenta FC

In a rescheduled game played in front of an empty stadium, South Georgia Tormenta FC left South Carolina in the early afternoon with an upset win over the Charleston Battery, scoring early through Arthur Bosua before holding on for a 1-0 road win.

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The Second Round game for both teams was played behind closed doors after being originally scheduled to be played on Wednesday night. However, due to storm damage to the Battery’s stadium at Patriot’s Point, the game was moved to an 11 a.m. kickoff with no fans in the stands. The weather would keep even the players off the grounds that evening, It was an unusual time for a professional soccer game and the first morning kickoff in the US Open Cup since 2016.

The game remained tied until the 61st minute when 2019-2020 Battery player Bosua blasted in a header against his former team from a corner kick taken by Adrian Billhardt, giving the USL League One side a lead they would not relinquish.  The goal was South Georgia’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup goal as a professional side.

Despite Charleston having greater possession and taking more shots, they were unable to get the ball into the back of the net in a game that saw 11 yellow cards distributed between the two teams.

The result was the first opening round loss by the Charleston Battery in the Open Cup since 2005, and ending what was the second-longest opening-round win streak at 14 games.  Rochester currently holds the longest win streak with 17 opening round wins. The loss also brought the Battery’s nine-game home unbeaten streak in the tournament to an end. It tied a club record and was tied for the fourth-longest such streak in the Modern Era.

Tormenta head coach Ian Cameron had praise for his side and how they can use this experience going forward in league play.

“A strong, professional performance from the side today,” Cameron said. “We are going to play against Omaha in a couple of days, but today’s match helped us prepare because both clubs share similarities. Both teams are excellent on the field: they are direct, and we have to adjust to their style of play.”

“We didn’t adjust to NCFC, and we lost,” Cameron added about his club’s previous league performance. “Today we adapted and won, and we will do the same two Saturdays from now.”

With the win, South Georgia Tormenta FC advances to the Third Round of the US Open Cup, scheduled to be played April 19-21.  They will learn their opponent in the Round 3 draw Friday at noon ET.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Brandon Vazquez helps Atlanta United pull away in OT for 3rd straight win over Charleston Battery

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Brandon Vasquez of Atlanta United celebrates against the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Atlanta United
Brandon Vazquez of Atlanta United celebrates against the Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Atlanta United

Coming off an over two-month spell off the soccer field due to an MCL injury, Atlanta United forward Brandon Vazquez hoped to dispel a frustrating season and make the most of a rare opportunity during the club’s 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Fourth Round matchup against the Charleston Battery of the USL Championship.

He made the most of that chance on Thursday evening.

Vazquez broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 110th minute, and added a second goal in stoppage time of the second extra time session, to send Atlanta United to a 3-1 win over the Charleston Battery at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga.

“It definitely helped my confidence,” said Vazquez, who came on in the 74th minute for his second appearance between Atlanta’s first and second team in a week after none since late March. “I’ve been out for a couple months now so this was definitely good for me, and my mentality coming on is right where I want it to be.”

It was a bit of delayed gratification for Atlanta, who were originally set to play the Battery on the road at MUSC Health Stadium on Tuesday. After heavy rains over the area created unplayable conditions on the field, the two teams were forced to reschedule the match for Thursday evening just north of Atlanta – behind closed doors.

With Atlanta United opening the match in sloppy fashion, the upset-minded Battery, looking for its first win against the defending MLS champions in three Open Cup tries, eventually took advantage.

In the 20th minute, AJ Paterson jumped on a heavy from Franco Escobar and fed it to Ian Svantesson, who one-touched it past a diving Alec Kann to give the Battery a 1-0 lead. Charleston frazzled its opponent by putting ten men behind the ball any time it defended, clearly having done due diligence knowing that Atlanta has struggled throughout its brief history when facing a bunkering side.

“We started 20 minutes too late,” Atlanta coach Frank de Boer said of his team’s performance against Charleston. “We thought we could just play around and do silly things and they took their opportunity and scored once. Then you have to deal with 11 men behind the ball. It’s a good, organized team and they showed it today.”

In the second half, Atlanta gradually looked to grow into the match and take advantage of a gradually tiring Charleston defense. It finally broke through in the 79th minute, as a corner kick from Pity Martinez made its way into the box, deflected off the head of Miles Robinson and was poked in by Romario Williams to level the match. For Williams, a player who spent two different loan spells with the Battery, it was his third career US Open Cup goal. All three of those goals came in games that eliminated the Charleston Battery. In 2014, he scored for the Orlando City Under-23s, who upset the Battery in what would be the longest penalty kick shootout of the Modern Era (they won 12-11), and last year, also at Kennesaw State University, he scored for Atlanta United in their 3-0 win over Charleston.

Atlanta may have had a couple of cracks to win it late in regular time, but this one went to an extra 30 minutes – with fatigue starting to set in even more. But in the 110th minute, second half sub Justin Meram connected with Brandon Vazquez in the box, with the youngster drawing the keeper out of the net and touching it home to give Atlanta the late lead.

The Battery, though, looked as if it had tied it twice late in the second half of extra time. A Kann deflection in the box was knocked home, but called offside by the assistant referee. Moments later, Atlanta’s defense broke down and allowed Arthur Bosua a one-on-one opportunity, but his attempt to chip Kann brushed off the crossbar and ended up in the hands of the goalkeeper.

Atlanta would end any notions of a Charleston equalizer for good in stoppage time of the second extra time period. Martinez’s pass found Meram making a goalward run on the left side of the field, and the veteran played a perfect ball to a streaking Vazquez inside the box to set up the game’s third goal and give Atlanta a win over the Battery for the third year in a row.

“I said to the players after the game that it’s a pity we started 20 minutes too late. After that we came into the game with our chances,” de Boer said. “Maybe we were a little reluctant to score a goal, but then we showed character. It was a hard game, and compliments to the Charleston Battery – they pushed us to the limit.”

Atlanta United travels to Columbus on Tuesday, June 18, to take on the Crew at 7:30 p.m. in the Round of 16 of the US Open Cup. Atlanta is looking for its first-ever Round of 16 win, while Columbus defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1-0 for its first Fourth Round win since 2016.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Charleston Battery withstands Nashville SC pressure, pitches shutout in PK shootout win

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Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Kyle Nelson of the Charleston Battery (No. 3) challenges for a header against Nashville SC in a Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

120 minutes wasn’t enough time to find a winner between Nashville SC and Charleston Battery in the Third Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The squads battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation, and through stoppage time. In a knockout situation, that means only one thing: penalties.

Battery winger Zeiko Lewis drilled his first shot. Nashville SC defender Liam Doyle saw his saved by Philip Breno. Battery defender Leland Archer coolly put his home. Another save for Breno, this time keeping midfielder Matt LaGrassa out of the goal. While Jarad van Schaik skied his next attempt, by the time Nashville midfielder Lebo Moloto followed with a hit crossbar, Charleston striker Ian Svantesson needed only to hit one shot to end the game.

He put it home, Charleston survives and advances.

“For a coach, it’s pretty simple,” said Battery head coach Mark Anhaeuser of the shootout. “It stinks for players, because there’s a lot of nerves, they’re nervous, and heavy legs. In the end, it comes down to who really can hit that ball, and put it in the spot they want to. Our first two were very good, and we put them in under pressure, and my goalkeeper made two really strong saves.”

The shootout was a rare one. It marked just the third time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a shootout ended with the score of 3-0. The first time it happened, the Charleston Battery upset the Chicago Fire (MLS) in the Third Round of the 2010 US Open Cup.

The shootout win capped a solid performance for Breno, who made four saves in the run of play to hold Nashville to just one goal – despite 27 shots from the hosts. In fact, Nashville dominated in many statistical metrics, with 68.4% of the possession, a passing accuracy of 87.4% to Charleston’s 66.5%, and five corners taken to the Battery’s four.

The game is not about dominating the ancillary stats, though: it’s about scoring. The teams did the same amount in regulation, and that opened the door for the shootout to determine the final outcome.

Players from the Charleston Battery and Nashville SC (yellow) battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC
Players from the Charleston Battery and Nashville SC (yellow) battle for the ball in their Third Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Jay Wilkinson | Nashville SC

The Battery struck first, with striker Nicque Daley turning on a ball near midfield, taking five touches and popping the ball over the shoulder of NSC keeper Connor Sparrow in the 24th minute. Nashville would finally respond in the 72nd, with Kharlton Belmar putting home a cross from striker Ropapa Mensah, who found himself alone in space on a through-ball from Alan Winn. At that point, Nashville seemed to capture all the momentum, and Anhaeuser’s side was merely holding on for dear life.

“They caught us there for about 20 minutes and we got fortunate they didn’t score,” he admitted. “They got one on the counter there, which they picked up. Then they had their guys forward, and I think they got a little tired. Even we caught them at the end, and hit the post, crossbar, and we were just unlucky.”

The Battery advance to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup, and will find out their fate in terms of opponent – and location – Thursday. For a team that’s played two on the road already, first traveling to USL League One side Greenville Triumph, and then to Nashville SC’s satellite location in the suburbs of Music City, they’re hopeful of drawing a home match next.

“We’re going to see tomorrow,” Anhaeuser said with a laugh. “I’m just going to pray we get a home game. Two road games in the Open Cup is so difficult. The heat, multiple games in a week, and my guys deserve all the credit. What you do, you get a game vs. an MLS team. These guys deserved it; they played a heck of a game – defended very well.”

The last team from outside MLS to advance to the US Open Cup Final (the Battery lost 2-1 to DC United in 2008) keeps their dream alive in the 2019 edition of the tournament. The Battery advance to the Fourth Round for the third year in a row.

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Svantesson’s brace leads Charleston Battery to comeback win at Greenville Triumph

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Players from the Charleston Battery and the Greenville Triumph battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Greenville Triumph
Players from the Charleston Battery and the Greenville Triumph battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Greenville Triumph

It’s a sports tale as old as time.

What you can have in the first half, can be lost in the second.

The Greenville Triumph seemed to dominate the first half, but the Charleston Battery found its rhythm in the second, scoring twice to lead the Battery to a 2-1 road win in Round 2 of the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Coming off an injury, Ian Svantesson scored a pair of goals 11 minutes apart to lead the Battery comeback.

“It was either that or play another 30 minutes of overtime,” Svantesson said. “There were really just two options.”

For Greenville, the loss ended its inaugural Open Cup run. Head coach Jon Harkes said it was still a special day for the club as it was the first time Greenville squared off with a potential in-state rival like Charleston.

“Quite frankly, some of our guys died in the second half and we were chasing the game,” Harkes said. “It all comes down to decision-making. These are great experiences for the development of the players.”

This marked just the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a pair of South Carolina clubs have met in the US Open Cup. The last time it happened was a very similar  situation as the Charleston Battery traveled to Greenville to take on a Division 3 pro team. That day at Sirrine Stadium, the Battery, led by a goal and an assist by Raul Diaz Arce, defeated the Greenville Lions (D-3 Pro League), 3-0.

Charleston came into Wednesday’s match with two starters out with injury — defender Leland Archer and midfielder Nico Rittmeyer.

It somewhat showed as it took until the second half for the Battery to find its feet.

Before that, the Triumph seemed to have solid control of the match.

Greenville struck first after 30 minutes of back-and-forth. The Triumph earned the first corner of the match, and Aaron Walker stepped up and played it into the head of Max Hemmings who put the ball past the outstretched Philip Breno — who made his first start of the season for the Battery.

It was Hemmings’ first goal of the season for the Triumph.

In the 40th minute, Charleston nearly equalized after Zeiko Lewis got free and pushed a pass to Tah Brian Anunga. Anunga drilled a low pass near goal to Kotaro Higashi, but Higashi couldn’t put a solid foot on the ball, and it sailed across the goal face and out of play.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Charleston had another golden opportunity to level the match when Nicque Daily tried to find Higashi streaking up the middle, but the ball was played wide and out of play.

Greenville started to mount pressure in the second half.

In the 48th minute, Jake Keegan nearly doubled the Triumph’s lead with a glancing header that went just left of goal.

Greenville Triumph head coach John Harkes gives a thumbs up before his club's Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup against the Charleston Battery. Photo: Greenville Triumph
Greenville Triumph head coach John Harkes gives a thumbs up before his club’s Second Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup against the Charleston Battery. Photo: Greenville Triumph

A minute later, Greenville had another opportunity, but the ball pinballed between four Greenville attackers and three Charleston defenders before finally going out of bounds.
The pressure continued for Charleston’s defense in the 50th minute when Evan Lee attempted another header, but like Keegan, his sailed wide.

Charleston had its first shot at goal in the second half when AJ Patterson nearly headed home an equalizer off a corner kick from Lewis, but his attempt was off the mark.
That is when Charleston took over the match.

In the 65th minute, Authur Bosua had Charleston’s second attempt at an equalizer when his right-footed shot went to the left and out of play.

In the 71st minute, Greenville finally went back on the attack when substitute Edmundo Robinson took a throw-in just inside the penalty area. With a wide open look at the goal, Robinson sailed his shot over the crossbar and out of play.

The Battery had a series in the 73rd minute, but two corners and three attempts yielded nothing. However, two minutes later, Romario Piggott drilled a shot that stung the gloves of Greenville goalkeeper Dallas Jaye. It marked the first solid attempt of the match for Charleston.

“I thought we started the second half extremely slow,” Harkes said. “Again, you can’t drop the ball like that.”

The Battery finally got the equalizer it looked for in the 79th minute when Svantesson took advantage of a ball bounce-around in front of the Greenville goal and put home the tying goal for Charleston.

Patterson took another hard shot toward Jaye, but the goalkeeper was able to save the attempt in the 86th minute.

In the 90th minute, Cole Seiler nearly put the game away for Greenville, but his left-footed attempt was off the mark and out of play.

But, in the 90+1 minute, Svantesson seemed to put the game away when he drilled a shot past Jaye and into the back of the net to complete the comeback.

“I got a ball that was bouncing, and you just have to put it past the defenders. I saw the keeper was a little far off, so shoot hard and hope for the best,” Svantesson said.

Charleston ended the match with 12 shots in the second half, compared to just two in the first.

Charleston will travel to Nashville for Round 3 on May 29.

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Atlanta United win rematch with Charleston Battery, 3-0

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Ezequiel Barco of Atlanta United dribbles past a Charleston Battery defender in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Rossitch | Atlanta United
Ezequiel Barco of Atlanta United dribbles past a Charleston Battery defender in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Eric Rossitch | Atlanta United

Atlanta United struggled with the Charleston Battery in the two teams’ Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Fourth Round matchup last year. In their rematch on Wednesday, it was much more straightforward as Atlanta blanked its former USL affiliate 3-0 in front of a sold-out Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga. to move on to the Round of 16 for the second year in as many tries.

As expected, Atlanta went with some fresh faces with Brandon Vazquez, Romario Williams and homegrown player Andrew Carleton getting the call in place of players like Michael Parkhurst, Josef Martinez and Jeff Larentowicz, while a few regulars like Ezequiel Barco and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez started as well. Miguel Almiron and Darlington Nagbe didn’t start but were part of an 18 with youngsters Chris Goslin and Yosef Samuel, while Martinez was left off the team sheet altogether.

After a relatively even first quarter of the match, Atlanta opened the scoring in the 14th on a laser of a goal by Carleton that found its way past a diving Odisnel Cooper – the first goal for the Atlanta-area native in first team action.

Things began to get a little physical as the game went on, with Charleston seeking to equalize in front of a partisan Atlanta crowd, but the match remained 1-0 at the break.

Atlanta, though, doubled its margin very early in the second. After Williams drew a penalty in the box, Barco stepped up and banked it off the crossbar and behind Cooper to make it 2-0. In the 65th minute, it was Williams with Atlanta’s third goal on the match on a perfect strike that beat the outstretched Cooper.

“I think we played well,” Atlanta United coach Tata Martino said afterwards. “I think we controlled the majority of the match and were able to win. It was important tonight that we were able to win it without (Martinez and Almiron) and with players like Brandon, Romario, Andrew, Miles (Robinson), Goslin and , just getting the young guys a lot of minutes.”

“I think my performance was solid,” said Williams. “I’m pleased with the performance. I could have been better with my touches on a couple of occasions, but for the most part it was good to get out there and get 90 minutes under my belt.”

2018 US Open Cup Round 3: One goal all Charleston Battery needs to eliminate NPSL champ Elm City Express

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Players from the Charleston Battery and the Elm City Express battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Ross Almers Photography
Players from the Charleston Battery and the Elm City Express battle for the ball in a Third Round match in the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Ross Almers Photography

The Charleston Battery’s starting XI was significantly different as they defeated the visiting Elm City Express 1-0 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

As opposed to last Saturday’s lineup, coach Mike Anhaeuser kept the 3–4–2–1 formation, but made seven changes in the starting lineup in order rest up players for this Saturday’s match against Nashville SC. The change also marked the return of a familiar face at right back, Battery veteran defender O’Brian Woodbine.

The Battery started off slow, but where able to move the ball somewhat effectively against Elm City’s defense. The Battery had several chances to score, however they could not find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

Anhaeuser substituted Ataulla Guerra in the 72nd minute in an attempt to drive the offense forward and refocus the attack. The veteran’s presence on the pitch was immediately felt. It would not take long as Guerra was able to get the ball forward on the right side to a charging Gordon Wild in the 84th. Wild was able to get the ball past the tackling defender, past the keeper and into the top left corner for the only goal of the night.

It would be all the Battery would need to extend their unbeaten streak to nine games between USL and US Open Cup play, and move into round the Fourth Round against a MLS opponent.

“It’s very exciting to play an MLS team. You don’t really need motivation from the coach for a game like that,” said Battery midfielder Tah Brian Anunga. “It’s another chance for us to test ourselves against the best in this country, so we’re excited to move on.”

The Battery certainly won’t be overlooked by whoever their MLS opponent is. Charleston has eliminated nine MLS teams in its club history, which ranks only behind the Rochester Rhinos (10) among lower division teams in the Modern Era.

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Charleston Battery’s early goal vs. Tormenta FC keeps streak alive

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Victor Mansaray of the Charleston Battery delivers a cross in a 2018 US Open Cup match against South Georgia Tormenta FC. Photo: Ross Almers Photography
Victor Mansaray of the Charleston Battery delivers a cross in a 2018 US Open Cup match against South Georgia Tormenta FC. Photo: Ross Almers Photography

Courtesy of Soccer ‘N’ Sweet Tea

For the 13th consecutive year, the Charleston Battery won their first match in US Open Cup play and advance to the next round, this year beating South Georgia Tormenta FC, 1–0 on Wednesday night. The win extends the Battery’s winning streak to five in a row in all competitions after defeating Bethlehem Steel FC at home this past Saturday.

The Battery started in a 3–4–1–2 formation, giving veteran keeper Odisnel “Super” Cooper the start, as well as Ryan Arambula and Angelo Kelly. Swedish Ian Svantesson and Patrick Okonkwo drove Coach Michael Anhaeuser’s offense up front on a humid Carolina evening.

The Battery played defensively, focusing on holding a physically aggressive Tormenta FC in the beginning of the first half. Head referee David Erbacher was on his whistle consistently stopping play. Each side lost any momentum as play started and stopped over and over.

In the 21st minute, the Battery scored the match’s only goal in dramatic fashion. Patrick Okonkwo, on loan from Atlanta United, opened his Battery scoring account with his first professional goal, playing a cross from Victor Mansaray off his head and putting the Battery up for the rest of the match.

In the 63rd minute, Nico Rittmeyer, already shown a yellow card in the 48th minute for a questionable tackle, was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Having to play a man down for the remaining 27 minutes, the Battery then substituted out Okonkwo and Vincenzo Candela for Tah Brian Anunga and Kotaro Higashi to better control possession and manage the tempo.

The Battery frustrated Tormenta the remainder of the match, and that frustration caught up with them in the 87th minute. Tormenta midfielder Nils Vinyals was overly aggressive on his challenge to Higashi and also saw his second yellow of the night, sent off for the remainder of the match.

With an additional three minutes of stoppage time added on at 90th minute, the 10-men Tormenta squad failed to mount an attack and fell short at the final whistle.

When asked about tonight’s performance, Coach Anhaeuser had this to say: “The key is win and move on … We were unfortunate to get the red card there, but the guys defended well. I don’t think we gave up a shot which is fantastic for our defense.”

The Battery then host the Third Round of US Open Cup play the following Wednesday. Elm City Express of the NPSL will make the trek down from the northeast to Charleston. The match is tentatively scheduled for May 23rd with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: After delay, Atlanta United rallies to edge Charleston Battery in debut

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Brandon Vasquez and Mikey Ambrose of Atlanta United celebrate the team's go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute against the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup Fourth Round. Photo: Atlanta United
Brandon Vasquez and Mikey Ambrose of Atlanta United celebrate the team’s go-ahead goal in the 72nd minute against the Charleston Battery in the US Open Cup Fourth Round. Photo: Atlanta United

As host Atlanta United and USL affiliate Charleston Battery took the pitch to the tune of the US Open Cup’s theme song on Wednesday night, the PA system announced a lightning delay that would require the Fifth/Third Bank Stadium to be evacuated. A match that was scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff did not start until 10:10, concluding just after midnight.

Most of the crowd waited out the storm under the stadium roof, and greeted the new kickoff time with cheering. The supporters had a 10-minute turnaround to re-enter the gates, while the teams went through warm-ups.

It didn’t take long for the opening goal, as Charleston center back Forrest Lasso flicked in a long throw-in from O’Brian Woodbine in the fourth minute, Lasso’s second goal of the 2017 US Open Cup and sixth in all competitions. The Battery have utilized Lasso’s 6-foot-5-inch height on set piece situations to their advantage throughout the season.

Atlanta United leveled in the 30th minute, as a scramble inside the penalty area following a corner kick fell to Kevin Kratz, who finished at the back post for his first goal with the club.

Seconds later, a shot from Dante Marini deflected off Atlanta rookie Miles Robinson past Alec Kann to restore the Battery’s lead. At the time of the goal, the PA announcer was still reporting United’s earlier equalizer.

There was drama late in the first half, as a penalty was awarded to Charleston, Woodbine sending his shot over the crossbar.

The miss would haunt the Battery, as Atlanta United rallied for a 3-2 victory before a 9,458 crowd.

The Fourth Round US Open Cup game between the Charleston Battery and Atlanta United was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. but because of the lightning delay, the game didn't get off until 10:10 p.m. Photo: Atlanta United
The Fourth Round US Open Cup game between the Charleston Battery and Atlanta United was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. but because of the lightning delay, the game didn’t get off until 10:10 p.m. Photo: Atlanta United

In the 48th minute, a rising Josef Martinez finished Brandon Vazquez’s cross for his first goal since missing 10 matches due to a torn quad.

Atlanta United finished their comeback, as Mikey Ambrose’s inch-perfect cross found the 18-year-old Vazquez for a simple finish in the 72nd minute.

The home crowd’s collective heartbeat nearly stopped in the 88th minute, as Charleston players crowded Kann while the ball was in the air, and managed to force a bobble, before Lasso buried a shot, the goal disallowed for goalkeeper interference.

“The positive was we found a way to get through it,” Atlanta coach Tata Martino said. “As a team, we didn’t play very well, but we were able to win due to our perseverance.”

Atlanta United, which was making its US Open Cup debut, will visit Miami FC in a fifth-round match July 28.

The Battery play at Cincinnati FC in a USL match at 7 p.m. Saturday at 7 p.m.

2017 US Open Cup Round 3: Own goal is the only goal in Charleston Battery’s road win over Jacksonville Armada

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Charleston Battery logo

An own goal by Jacksonville Armada defender Drew Beckie midway through the first half provided the only goal of the game. Consequently, the Charleston Battery advanced to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup with a 1-0 win against the Armada Wednesday night due to the singular mishap.
Jacksonville dominated the game in terms of possession, having control for more than two-thirds of the match at Jacksonville University’s Southern Oak Stadium.

Beckie’s own goal came after a Battery attack. When both teams failed to control a cross, the veteran defender jumped on it looking to clear, but mistakenly blasted it into his own net.

“It just wasn’t our night,” Jacksonville coach Mark Lowry told the team’s official website.

Charleston applied the pressure early on. In the 10th minute, the Battery appeared to take the lead, but the goal was ruled offside.

Jacksonville enjoyed a chance of its own in the 20th minute, but Bryam Rebellón’s shot sailed just wide.

The Armada continued to press after the goal, most notably when Derek Gebhard launched a ball into the box where Rebellón attempted a bicycle kick.

After halftime, the Battery went on the attack and created a couple chances in the first ten minutes.

Jacksonville seized control for the last 25 minutes of the match. However, the Battery defense held firm for their fifth clean sheet of the season in all competitions, despite multiple crosses and an ever-present attack.

From a statistical standpoint, each team created just two shots on goal. The Armada earned 13 fouls and one yellow card, while the Battery produced 10 fouls and three cards.

Charleston will face their MLS affiliate Atlanta United in the next round. The match will be played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta on June 14. The Battery started the tournament out in Atlanta as they defeated the NPSL’s Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in the Second Round on May 17.

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: Charleston Battery win 12th straight USOC opener, 2-1 over Atlanta Silverbacks

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The Charleston Battery defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Dave Williamson | Atlanta Silverbacks
The Charleston Battery defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in the Second Round of the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Dave Williamson | Atlanta Silverbacks

A steamy day in Atlanta gave way to a barn burner of a match, as the traveling Charleston Battery defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The Battery took the lead in the 19th minute, as Ryan Arambula’s perfect free kick found a towering Forrest Lasso for a point blank header. Arambula made it painfully obvious that he was aiming for Lasso, pointing and talking to him before the ref called for the kick to be taken. However, even with the entire stadium knowing Charleston’s plan, the Silverbacks had no answer for the 6’5 center back.

A lack of shots made for a pretty dull rest of the half, until the 44th minute when Jeffrey Otoo, on loan from Atlanta United of MLS, tapped in a Ricky Garbanzo cross for his first professional goal and a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

The Silverbacks didn’t have their first shot on target until the 55th minute, when Abraham Lansana’s header fell safely into the hands of Battery keeper Odisnel Cooper.

Atlanta finally found a breakthrough in the 73rd minute, as Lansana was brought down in the box for a penalty. Alex Nyarko-Harlley converted from the spot to bring the Silverbacks within one.

They nearly found the equalizer just three minutes later, as Joao Johanning hit the crossbar from 20 yards out. That was ultimately Atlanta’s last opportunity to tie the match, as the NPSL side’s comeback attempt fell short.

The Battery have now won 12 straight tournament openers, the second longest streak of the Modern Era (Rochester Rhinos have 15, which is still an active streak).

This is not the same Atlanta Silverbacks team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 Open Cup, beating Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids in the process. The NASL’s inability to find new ownership for the club before the 2016 season kept them out of the league this year. This resulted in the NASL suspending the Atlanta franchise, forcing the Silverbacks to drop down to the NPSL and lose sources of revenue in the process.

The Battery will take on the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada in the Third Round on May 31. The winner of that game will travel to Atlanta to take on Major League Soccer’s newest franchise, Atlanta United in Round 4.

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