The Charleston Battery once again turned away a USASA challenge in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-0 win over Houston’s Regals FC at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery have hosted a USASA team in the first round three years in a row.
The USASA club played the Battery tough for the first 45 minutes, holding the USL PRO team to a 0-0 draw at halftime. The Battery nearly scored on a couple chances in the first half, however. In the 6th minute Nicki Patterson’s header of a Brandon Massie free kick sailed just over the crossbar. A few minutes later Mike Zaher blasted a hard shot at Regals goalkeeper Marcus Sanchez, who juggled the ball before controlling it.
Charleston put their first goal on the board two minutes into the second half when the Battery’s Levi Coleman was pushed by Regals defender Robert Hernandez. Patterson netted the penalty kick for a 1-0 Battery lead. Hernandez would later be sent off for his second yellow card of the match in the 78th minute.
It was in the 78th minute that Charleston scored their insurance goal to make it 2-0. After a string of passes, Dane Kelly received a back heel pass from Seedy Bah and Kelly scored the clinching goal.
Charleston will host Orlando City SC in the second round at Blackbaud Stadium on June 21.
| Regals FC (USASA-South TX) 0:2 Charleston Battery (USL PRO) Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. |
| RECAP: Charleston | Post and Courier (Charleston)
Scoring Summary |