Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Defender Drew Ruggles scored in the 90th minute to give the Charleston Battery a 1-1 draw with D.C. United of Major League Soccer on a wet and rainy Wednesday night at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. in the 2014 Carolina Challenge Cup.
Both teams were held scoreless during the first half despite Battery forward Dane Kelly having several good chances. Kelly’s best opportunity came when he broke free behind the defense but D.C. United keeper Andrew Dykstra, the 2013 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year for the Richmond Kickers, got a foot on the shot to prevent Kelly from scoring.
After 70 minutes of play United head coach Ben Olsen made wholesale changes removing all 10 outfield players, made up of mostly reserves, replacing them with his first-team players.
The changes paid immediate dividends as D.C. United opened the scoring in the 71st minute after Battery midfielder Miguel Teos committed a foul that gave United a free kick just outside of the box on the left side. D.C. United midfielder Luis Silva took the free kick, which bounced into the goal after it was deflected by midfielder Davy Arnaud.
Charleston seemed destined for defeat as time wound down but a late corner provided all the opportunity they would need to equalize. With the clock ticking toward full time, Charleston forced a corner that was headed home by Ruggles. The final whistle was blown on the ensuing restart to give the Battery the draw.
Houston Dynamo 1, Seattle Sounders 1: The Houston Dynamo and the Seattle Sounders also played to a draw in the first match of the night, setting up a de facto championship game on Saturday as the Sounders face United in the final matchday.
Houston netted the first goal of the game in the 14th minute when midfielder Tony Cascio controlled the rebound of a shot before passing the ball across the box to teammate Brad Davis, who finished into the right side of the goal.
Seattle was able to pull level with the Dynamo in the 44th minute with a goal from forward Obafemi Martins. Former Battery standout Lamar Neagle created the opportunity with a cutting run into the penalty area before he flipped a cross over the defense to enable Martins to put his head on the ball and send it into the back of the net.
Both teams were stifled offensively for the most part in the second half, with the best chance coming to the Dynamo when midfielder Alexander Lopez headed a ball wide of the goal in the 85th minute.
Challenge Cup concludes Saturday at Blackbaud Stadium
The 2014 Carolina Challenge Cup concludes Saturday as Seattle Sounders FC (1-0-1) take on D.C. United (1-0-1) at 5 p.m. followed by the Charleston Battery (0-1-1) vs Houston Dynamo (0-1-1) at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $15, to purchase tickets or for more information please call 843-971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.