Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- A late goal by Alex grabbed victory for the Chicago Fire, and sent the Charleston Battery to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat on Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium as the Fire assumed top spot in the race for the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup. Alex’s goal from just outside the penalty area in second-half stoppage time to give his side victory, and deny the Battery a draw. 
While Chicago pressed early, and had a clear size advantage over the Battery, it was Charleston that landed the first blow in the 11th minute as 2012 USL PRO Rookie of the Year Jose Cuevas received a nice through-ball from Nicki Paterson and finished it with ease to beat Chicago goalkeeper, Paolo Tornaghi, putting the defending USL PRO champions ahead.
The Fire kept attacking with numbers, however, and after a couple of missed opportunities they got the equalizer in the 27th minute. Off a corner, 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year Austin Berry headed a ball from Joel Lindpere into the lower-right side of the net, just out of reach of Charleston goalkeeper Kevin Klasila.
The game remained level going into halftime after the Battery saw a chance missed by Dane Kelly in the 29th minute and Chicago’s Dilly Duke sen a blast off the left post with seven minute to go. Paterson had the final chance before the break, only to send a Battery free kick just wide of the net in the final minute.
Chicago brought a noticeable difference in their pace to start the second half, and created chance to go with it. The Fire’s pressure almost told in the 85th minute when a short corner came close to finding the go-ahead goal, but the Battery held on to keep it tied as the clock moved into stoppage time.
The Fire had the last laugh, though, as Alex blasted an absolute rocket into the right side-netting in the 92nd minute to secure the game winner and lift Chicago into first place in the tournament standings with their second victory.
HOUSTON 2, VANCOUVER 1: After falling in their opening game of the Carolina Challenge Cup, the Houston Dynamo entered their game with with the Vancouver Whitecaps looking for their first win of the tournament. Thanks to late goals by Will Bruin and Adam Moffat, they were able to, as the Dynamo took victory against the Whitecaps in the night’s opening game.
Vancouver started the scoring off in the 27th minute, capitalizing on a defensive mistake as Corey Hertzog was able to steal in following a weak ball back to the goalkeeper by the Dynamo. Hertzog rounded the corner and snuck it past Tally Hall, giving the former Wilmington Hammerheads goalkeeper his second goal of the preseason.
Houston got a boost off the bench as Bruin tied the game moments after coming on, the U.S. National Team forward finishing off a nice through-ball by fellow substitute Brad Davis in the 75th minute. The Dynamo quickly struck again with a pellet by Moffat from distance to beat Brad Knighton into the top right corner just two minutes later.
Houston held on in the final minutes to secure a 2-1 victory over Vancouver and now holds sole possession of second place in the tournament behind Chicago. Vancouver will be a close third going into Saturday’s games with the Charleston Battery sitting in fourth position.