Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Major League Soccer’s D.C. United beat the Charleston Battery 3-1 on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in the 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup. Maicon Santos and Ryan Richter both had first-half goals for United, who claimed their third consecutive Challenge Cup title, while Jose Cuevas scored his second goal in as many games for the Battery's lone goal.
United opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Santos received a through ball from Branko Boskovic. Santos ripped a shot to the near post scoring his chance on Battery’s first-half goalkeeper, Kevin Klasila.
The Battery pulled level in the 28th minute when Mark Wiltse carried the ball to the goal line and cut a cross back for Cuevas to finish. But just seconds later, D.C. United’s Jose Burciaga crossed a ball from the left side to Ryan Richter who answered with a header through Klasila’s hands. The score remained 2-1 with D.C. United ahead at the halftime break.
The Battery were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute after Wiltse was ejected for a tackle from behind. The Battery had some quality chances in the second half but they couldn’t seem to capitalize against United’s strong defense. Former Battery goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra got to play against his former teammates for United after the break, coming on as a replacement for Joe Willis.
United then closed out the game in the 87th minute when Hamdi Salihi pushed the ball past Charleston goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrand. Salihi combined with Josh Wolff and Andy Najar before neatly placing the ball home. The goal secured United's win, also clinching the title for the third year in a row after the Chicago Fire, whom D.C. had defeated in their opening game, took a 1-0 victory against the Columbus Crew earlier in the evening.
The Carolina Challenge Cup concludes on Saturday with D.C. United playing the Columbus Crew at 5 p.m., followed by the tournament finale as the Charleston Battery battle the Chicago Fire at 7:15 p.m.