Keith Wiggans

2009 First Round: Battery cruise as Atlanta FC self-destructs in Open Cup debut

June 9, 2009 by

Blackbaud Stadium – Charleston, S.C. | 7:30 p.m.Match Reports: Charleston, Post & Courier

	2	FT	0
Randi Paterson (T. Yoshitake) 1’ Tsuyoshi Yoshitake (John Wilson) 32’				28’ Sappia Venn – SENT OFF 66’ Robert Munilla – SENT OFF 69’ Leo Sandoval – SENT OFF

Atlanta FC’s dream of a run in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup fell short as they unable to pull off the upset against the Charleston Battery (USL-1) falling 2-0 at Blackbaud Stadium. Goals from Randi Patterson and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake propelled the Battery to the Second Round.

The match, broadcast live on USLLive.com, was a tale of two different clubs. Atlanta FC, the first team to qualify out of Georgia since 1991 (Atlanta Datagraphics), were overpowered for a majority of the match against a Charleston Battery side who have participated in six straight Open Cups, and 10 of the last 11.

No sooner had the national anthem finished than Atlanta FC found themselves down one goal as a corner from Tsuyoshi Yoshitake found Randi Patterson in the box, heading in the first goal 37 seconds into the match. Charleston showed no signs of fatigue, having played three games in the last five days, as they controlled the match from the start. Atlanta FC soon settled down and maintained possession, but could not force a single shot on Battery keeper Keith Wiggans.

The match began to get scrappy in the 28th minute as Venn Sappia was ejected during an incident off the ball. Later, the report showed an apparent ’hand-to-face’ incident prompted the Sappia ejection.

After the situation calmed, the Battery did not waste time any time. John Wilson beat his man down the left flank and played a pinpoint cross into Yoshitake, who volleyed it home from six yards out, giving the Battery a 2-0 lead that they held until the halftime break.

The second half was more of the same, as Atlanta FC crippled their upset chances by earning two more red cards and finishing with only eight men. Atlanta FC’s coach was also sent off in the second half, as the NPSL side failed to gain any momentum and saw their US Open Cup run come to an end.

Charleston advance to the Second Round to take on Miami FC, 8pm ET at Tropical Park in Miami, Fla.

2008 Quarterfinals: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round

July 9, 2008 by

Chris Eylander’s 421 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland — Chris Eylander’s 420 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal is a Professional Era record for an individual goalkeeper, and a team record for a single tournament. Photo: George Holland

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander was a unanimous selection as the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

Eylander was challenged for the award by Jamie Moreno of DC United, along with goalkeepers Doug Warren of the New England Revolution and Eric Kronberg of the Kansas City Wizards.

The University of Washington alum helped the Sounders earn their fourth straight shutout in the tournament (a Professional Era single-tournament record of 421 shutout minutes), while holding Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. After extra time, Seattle earned their second straight trip to the Semifinals with a 6-5 win in the penalty kick shootout.

Eylander made 13 saves in the match, including two stops (Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl) in the shootout to send the Sounders to a date with fellow USL First Division club, the Charleston Battery on August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The goalkeeper took some time to talk with TheCup.us following his Quarterfinal performance.

TheCup.us: First of all, congratulations on the win on Tuesday and for being named “Player of the Round.” The Wizards definitely put some pressure on your net, forcing you to make 13 saves. Was there a moment for you personally, or a particular defensive stop, where you felt like your defense was going to keep this shutout streak going.

Eylander: Thanks a lot for congratulating me. I don’t remember there being a distinct moment where I knew we were going to shut out the Wizards in regular play. We were under pressure in spells throughout the entirety of the game. Playing in any game a breakdown can occur at any time. I was very determined to do everything I could to keep the ball out of the net and help communicate with the players in front of me to dissallow any unnecessary opportunities on goal.

TheCup.us: In the penalty kick shootout, or any penalty kick shootout, do you just guess, or do you try to read the shooter? What’s your approach?

Eylander: PK tactics can always vary. I don’t think any goalkeeper would like to give out their secrets to how they approach penalties. In general, if you can determine any information from the player’s approach to the ball, this is a whole lot better than a random guess.

TheCup.us: Some MLS teams rest their starters for Open Cup games, but even the ones who field strong lineups are still getting knocked off the last couple of years. Do you feel like the talent gap is closing between the USL-1 and MLS or is the motivation for the USL-1 teams greater?

Eylander: Regardless of who the MLS teams are fielding, you can’t look at the last couple of years in Open Cup play and not see that the USL teams are competing very well with them.

TheCup.us: Sebastien Le Toux has already secured a place on the Seattle MLS roster. Is the prospect of getting a contract with the MLS Sounders creating some extra pressure for the rest of the players on the roster? Is that something that’s talked about among your teammates?

Eylander: I think every one of the players on the team would love the oppurtunity to play at the next level up. It may add a bit of pressure for the players. Playing well consistently thoughout the USL season and performing well against other MLS teams would add a lot of credibility for those looking to play at the MLS level. It isn’t something that I have noticed to be talked about much amongst the players. We understand that taking care of business in league and Open Cup play is the most important area of concentration for the team.

TheCup.us: Do you feel like you will be wearing a Seattle uniform next season?

Eylander: I would very much like to be wearing a Seattle uniform next season.

TheCup.us: Looking ahead to the next round, you’ve got Charleston at Blackbaud Stadium on August 12. Is there a different level of pressure when facing a team you’re familiar with rather than a team you rarely play, or have never played? What’s your outlook for the semifinal matchup with Charleston?

Eylander: The good thing about playing in Charleston for the Semifinals is that we have already played there twice this year. We will be much more familiar with the pitch, the environment and the team as opposed to if we were playing an unknown team for the first time away from home. We will also have more time this round to prepare and get players healthy. The semifinals will be a very challenging game. Charleston has a strong team and will give us a tough match.

About the NASR
The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) are a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

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The 2008 Seattle Sounders now hold the record for the longest single-tournament shutout streak, but D.C. United have the high mark for longest streak over multiple competitions.

D.C. United (1996-1997, 564 mins.)
09/04/96 2-0 vs. Carolina Dynamo (GK – Jeff Causey) 90 mins.
10/27/96 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
10/30/96 3-0 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
08/06/97 0-0 (PKW 3-2) vs. Hershey Wildcats (GK – Scott Garlick) 120 mins.
08/19/97 2-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Scott Garlick) 90 mins.
09/03/97 2-1 vs. San Francisco Bay Seals (GK – Scott Garlick) 84 mins.

Seattle Sounders (2008, 421 mins.)
09/04/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Chris Eylander) 1 min.
06/10/08 1-0 vs. Arizona Sahuaros (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.
06/24/08 6-0 vs. Hollywood United (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/01/08 2-0 vs. Chivas USA (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/08/08 0-0 (PKW 6-5) vs. Kansas City Wizards (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.

Colorado Rapids (1999, 381 mins.)
07/30/97 1-2 vs. Chicago Stingers (GK – Paul Grafer) 46 mins.
07/13/99 1-0 vs. Seattle Sounders (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
08/13/99 1-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/01/99 3-0 vs. Charleston Battery (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/13/99 0-2 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Ian Feuer) 65 mins.

Carolina RailHawks (2007, 329 mins.)
06/12/07 4-1 vs. RWB Adria (GK Chris McClellan) 14 mins.
06/26/07 4-0 vs. Bavarian SC (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
07/15/07 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire (GK – John O’Hara) 90 mins.
08/07/07 1-0 vs. Richmond Kickers (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
09/04/07 1-2 vs. New England Revolution (GK – Chris McClellan) 45 mins.

Charleston Battery (2007, 324 mins.)
08/02/06 3-3 (PKL 3-5) vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 1 min.
06/12/07 3-0 vs. Central Florida Kraze (GK – Keith Wiggans) 90 mins.
06/26/07 1-0 vs. El Paso Patriots (GK – Dusty Hudock) 90 mins.
07/10/07 1-0 vs. Houston Dynamo (GK – Dusty Hudock) 120 mins.
08/07/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 23 mins.

San Jose Earthquakes (2000-2001, 292 mins.)
08/09/00 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Joe Cannon) 9 mins.
06/27/01 6-0 vs. Central Coast Roadrunners (GK – Jon Conway) 90 mins.
07/11/01 0-0 (PKW 7-6) vs. Milwaukee Rampage (GK – Jon Conway) 120 mins.
07/24/01 1-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Jon Conway) 73 mins.

Dallas Roma FC (2006, 259 mins.)
06/14/06 2-2 (PKW 4-2) vs. Laredo Heat (GK – Jesse Llamas) 14 mins.
06/28/06 1-0 vs. Miami FC (GK – Jesse Llamas) 90 mins.
07/12/06 0-0 (PKW 4-2) vs. Chivas USA (GK – Jesse Llamas) 120 mins.
08/01/06 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Nestor Merlo) 35 mins.

Longest Shutout Streak in Professional Era (1995 – present)
DC United (1996-97) 564 mins.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2008) 421 mins.
Colorado Rapids (1999) 381 mins.
Carolina RailHawks (2007) 329 mins.
Charleston Battery (2007) 324 mins.
San Jose Earthquakes (2000-01) 292 mins.
Dallas Roma FC (2006) 259 mins.

2008 First Round: Spicer’s hat trick helps Charleston shoot down USASA’s New Stars

June 10, 2008 by

Darren Spicer’s natural hat trick in the first half was all the Charleston Battery needed for a 3-0 victory over the visiting ASC New Stars.

The Houston-based USASA club nearly jumped out to the lead after 12 minutes, as Esteban Lotero found Alex Bolan with a through ball. Bolan beat Charleston goalkeeper Keith Wiggans, but the shot just missed wide right.

Five minutes later, Spicer began his scoring surge, heading home a cross from David Kenga. Spicer struck again in the 27th minute, this time receiving a pass from Aaron King, who found Spicer at the middle of the box for an easy header.

Just before halftime, Spicer completed his hat trick. Spicer recovered a loose ball after ASC tried to clear a cross by King, and the midfielder beat ASC goalkeeper Emilio Frias for the final goal. The Battery were dominate in their second all-time meeting with a USASA club. In a Second Round match in 2006, they narrowly defeated the Sonoma County Sol from California 1-0 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery move on to the Second Round, where they will host the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division on June 24.

Lineups

Charleston – Keith Wiggans, Louie Rolko (Randi Patterson 86), Nelson Akwari, Kevin Nylen, Chris Corcoran, Darren Spicer (Chris Williams 78), Dominic Cianciarulo, Osvaldo Alonso (Tim Velten 75), David Kenga, Aaron King, Lester More Players Not Used – Dusty Hudock, Ian Fuller, Lazo Alavanja

SHOTS: 25 (More 6); SAVES: 1 (Wiggans 1); FOULS: 6 (Alonso 3); CORNER KICKS: 5; OFFSIDES: 3; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: Alonso 55; EJECTIONS: (NONE)

ASC New Stars – Emilio Frias, Ali Daneshman (Lucas Fuentes 64), Salvador Lopez, Dubravko Pecikozic, Reza Daneshmand, Alex Bolan (Murillo Alves 86), Esteban Lotero (Armen Allahverdia 58), Orufe Abara, Peter Kozlowski (Destiny Ohiri 79), Arzgang Salashoor, Anthony Ashiufu
Players Not Used – Arami Allahverdian, Jason Harville

SHOTS: 5 (Kozlowski 2); SAVES: 4 (Frias 4); FOULS: 6 (Ashiufu 2); CORNER KICKS: 4; OFFSIDES: 0; PENALTY KICKS: (NONE); CAUTIONS: (NONE); EJECTIONS: (NONE)

Referee: Alan Schechtman
Assistant Referees: Jeff Muschik, Carlos Arango
Attendance: 1,401
Weather: Clear, 90

2007 First Round: Vercollone, Battery too much for Central Florida Kraze

June 12, 2007 by

The Charleston Battery, with the aid of two goals from Luke Vercollone, made easy work of the Central Florida Kraze, defeating the PDL side 3-0 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Battery jumped on the board early, when Stephen Armstrong got a long range shot past Kraze goalkeeper Alessandro Barcherrini in the sixth minute of play. As Barcherrini bent over to pick up the ball, it took a slight deflection, allowing it to slip through his hand and across the goal line.

Charleston continued to put pressure on the Kraze defense, and after several near misses, Vercollone slotted home a Mike Richardson cross in the 12th minute to put Charleston up 2-0. Central Florida would not give up easy, as Keith Savage tested Charleston goalkeeper Keith Wiggans twice, once with a hard shot from thirty yards out, and again by forcing Wiggans to dive to push the ball over the touch line for a corner kick. In the 42nd minute, Vercollone struck again, finding himself unmarked on the left side of the penalty area after receiving a cross from Gordon Chin, which he chested down and slotted into the net. Vercollone nearly completed the hat trick early in the second half, but Barcherrini made a spectacular save to deny him.

The Kraze were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute, when substitute Daniel Fadida was shown a straight red card for a two-footed foul on Ian Bennett. The Battery then played gracious hosts and put the game on cruise control, even playing out the clock when the Kraze were reduced to nine men in the 89th minute, when a Kraze player was injured after the team used their four substitutes.

Charleston will host the PDL’s El Paso Patriots in the Second Round on June 26.

Scoring
(CHR) Stephen Armstrong 5’
(CHR) Luke Vercollone 12’
(CHR) Luke Vercollone 42’