Late Penalty Kick Pushes Charleston Past City Islanders
June 18, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. the Charleston Battery
(Penn FC)
CHARLESTON, S.C. - After back-to-back losses at MUSC Health Stadium, the Charleston Battery restored some order with a 1-0 victory against the Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday. Justin Portillo's 82nd-minute penalty kick held up down the stretch for Charleston. With the win, Charleston improves to 6-4-3 overall (21 points) and 4-2-1 at home. Harrisburg, meanwhile, wrapped up a disappointing four-game road trip. The City Islanders lost all four, moving to 1-7-0 on the road for the season and 4-9-1 overall (13 points).
Scoring:
82' - CHS - Justin Portillo (penalty)
Three Things That Mattered:
1. Though Charleston had to hang on down the stretch, a home victory was a needed moment, especially for a Battery side that set a USL record with a 29-game home unbeaten streak. The Battery had dropped a 2-0 match to Louisville City FC on May 28 and then a 2-1 decision to expansion side Orlando City B. Offensively, the Battery are still trying to find their footing to an extent as they have posted one goal or less on eight occasions this season.
2. The game's lone tally was the result of a foul by Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble. Charleston's Emmanuel Adjetey raced into the left of the box and got a foot on the ball before he sustained some contact from Noble in the 80th minute. The referee pointed to the spot, and Justin Portillo stepped up in the moment. Portillo hesitated on his approach and shot to the right side of the frame as Noble anticipated the shot going in the other direction. It was Portillo's fourth goal of the season.
3. Though his foul led to the penalty, Noble had kept his side in the match with one of the more impressive saves in the 41st minute. Portillo was in the mix on that sequence as well, seeking out the upper right corner. The shot took a deflection by a Harrisburg defender, and Noble reacted well to keep that out of the net and maintain the 0-0 score line at that stage. Noble did what he could, but the City Islanders' offense has not been able to help him out over the past several weeks. Three times during the four-game road trip, the Harrisburg offense was held scoreless.
USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Justin Portillo, Charleston Battery - The Charleston playmaker stepped up with a poised penalty kick to lift his side to a much-needed home win.
Upcoming Games:
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. FC Montreal - June 21, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field
Images from this story
 Harrisburg City Islanders vs. the Charleston Battery |
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