Tuesday, May 28, 2013
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston Battery defeated Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in front of 1,954. Club captain Colin Falvey headed home the winner in the 74th minute to propel the Battery past the defending MLS Supporter’s Shield winner.
The win means the Battery have now defeated MLS opposition on nine occasions in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup; DC United (1999), MetroStars (2001, 2004), Houston Dynamo (2007, 2008), FC Dallas (2008), Chivas USA (2009), Chicago Fire (2010) and San Jose Earthquakes (2013).
The Battery advance to face the winner of the third-round contest between Real Salt Lake and the Atlanta Silverbacks on Wednesday, June 12.
The first clear chance of the game fell to San Jose in the 19th minute after forward Mike Fucito slipped past the Battery defense. Fucito was forced into a wide position but managed to get his shot on target only to see it cleared off the line by the Battery’s Falvey. Charleston had a chance a minute later after the ball was played out to midfielder Jarad van Schaik on the left side. van Schaik held off his defender but his driven right footed attempt flew high.
The game opened up after the interval as both teams pressed forward looking for a goal. San Jose striker Steven Lenhart forced a save from Odisnel Cooper in the 49th minute and then defender Brad Ring smashed a shot wide minutes later after finding himself open in the box.
Charleston fought back with forward Dane Kelly creating trouble for the Earthquakes defenders with his pace. In the 65th minute Kelly got past his man and cut back a pass to Nicki Paterson 10 yards out but Paterson’s strike was deflected away.
The goal was scored nine minutes later after Zach Prince was dragged down out on the left side. Midfielder Jose Cuevas curled his free-kick into the box and Falvey snapped a header past goalkeeper David Bingham and into the back of the net.
San Jose piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes could not find a way past the Battery defense led by the central defensive pairing of Falvey and Cody Ellison.
The Charleston Battery returns to USL PRO action on Friday night with a 7:30 PM match versus the Harrisburg City Islanders (WQNT Sports Radio 1450 AM).