Battery, Lions Earn Victories Against MLS Opponents in U.S. Open Cup

May 29, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release

TAMPA, Fla. - The defending USL PRO champion the Charleston Battery and two-time defending regular-season champion Orlando City both advanced to the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday night, defeating MLS opposition on their own turf in a landmark night for both teams.

Charleston, which was the last lower-division side to reach the Open Cup final in 2008, edged out 2012 MLS Supporter's Shield winner the San Jose Earthquakes as captain Colin Falvey scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Blackbaud Stadium.

Orlando, which advanced to the fourth round for the first time in club history, recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids, with Dom Dwyer continuing to lead from the front for the Lions.

The two USL PRO sides were the only lower-division clubs to advance in Tuesday night's nine games, with another seven contests including USL PRO's Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions and Wilmington Hammerheads, and the PDL's FC Tucson and Reading United, set for Wednesday night.

Orlando Romps Past Rapids

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dom Dwyer continued his outstanding season for Orlando City as he scored both second-half goals to give the Lions a 3-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Dwyer has now scored 16 goals this season, including three in the Open Cup, as Orlando advanced to the fourth round for the first time in club history.

The Lions got out to a fast start, with Bryan Burke getting his side going in the fourth minute as his deflected shot from the top of the penalty area found the back of the net. Colorado hit back in the 18th minute with Kamani Hill finishing a one-on-one opportunity after a defensive error, but Orlando got back on top thanks to Dwyer early in the second half as Burke played provider, his back-post cross from the right finding the English striker to head home.

Dwyer continued to be at the center of the action as his well-timed run put him in one on one with Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus in the 57th minute. Ceus brought down Dwyer outside the penalty area, earning a red card and reducing the Rapids to 10 men. Dwyer bagged his second of the night six minutes later, with a through-ball by Adama Mbengue finding Long Tan on the edge of the penalty area, who sent a pass on to Dwyer for the finish.

"I think just before and during the second half we were far and away the better team," Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said. "I thought we were worthy winners, and it would have been a travesty if we didn't take home the win."

Orlando will travel to face its MLS partner Sporting Kansas City in the fourth round, with the game set for Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. CT.

Battery Eliminate Earthquakes

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Battery got a second-half goal from captain Colin Falvey to earn a 1-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium. The victory was the Battery's ninth against MLS opposition in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, sending the club to the fourth round for the first time in three seasons.

Both teams had chances in the first half with San Jose's Mike Fucito having an effort cleared off the line by Falvey in the 19th minute, and Jared van Schaik shooting just over the crossbar for the Battery a minute later.

The game became more open in the second half, with Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper making a good save to deny Steven Lehnart early. Dane Kelly was a threat for the Battery, and in the 65th minute the Jamaican used his speed to create an opening for Nicki Paterson, only for the shot to be deflected wide.

Nine minutes later, however, the breakthrough came as a free kick by Jose Cuevas from the left found Falvey, who snapped his header into the back of the net. San Jose looked for some of the late-game magic it has become known for, but the Battery were able to withstand the pressure and hold on for the victory.

"Everything they threw at us, they threw the kitchen sink at us at the end, and we dealt with it," Falvey said. "Great performance, honestly I'm more happy with the shutout than the goal. We were hungry, coming into a big cup game and I think the desire and the want and the will to win, I think we edged them out on that."

The Battery will hit the road in the fourth round as they travel to face Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday, June 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

PHILADELPHIA 2, OCEAN CITY 1: The PDL's Ocean City Nor'easters came moments from forcing extra time against the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park, only for Brian Carroll to score in stoppage time to lift the MLS side to victory. Jack McInerney had given the Union the lead early in the second half, but Ocean City tied the game through Emmauel Kollie late in the second half, only for Carroll to deny them an additional 30 minutes of action.

D.C. UNITED 0 (4), RICHMOND 0 (2): D.C. United goalkeeper Joe Willis made saves on the Richmond Kickers' first two penalties in a shootout at City Stadium, while all four United players converted from the spot, as D.C. defeated its MLS affiliate after the two teams had finished scoreless after regular and extra time.

CHIVAS USA 2, LOS ANGELES 1: The Los Angeles Blues held a halftime lead, but Chivas USA rallied in the second half to take the victory at Titan Stadium. George Davis IV gave the Blues the lead in the 11th minute, and Los Angeles could have added to its lead before the halftime break but for strong play by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Chivas hit back quickly in the second half, however, as Carlos Alvarez tied the game in the 53rd minute before Kennedy scored the game-winner from the penalty spot.

SPORTING KC 2, DES MOINES 0: The Des Moines Menace's run in the Open Cup came to an end as goals by Kei Kamara and Claudio Bieler gave the defending champions victory at Sporting Park. Kamara broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, and Bieler added a second one late moments after coming on as a substitute, to send the PDL side out.

NEW ENGLAND 5, ROCHESTER 1: A big second half, and a pair of goals by Kelyn Rowe, lifted the New England Revolution past the Rochester Rhinos at Sahlen's Stadium. Rowe opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, and the Revs added a second through Andy Dorman before a 54-minute lightning delay pulled the teams off the field. New England started sharply after the delay, with Rowe getting his second as it quickly made it 4-0, and while Kendell McFayden pulled a goal back for the Rhinos, the Revs' victory was never in doubt.

United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 29, 2013

• Chicago Ends Eagles Open Cup Run with a 2-0 Victory - Charlotte Eagles
• Battery, Lions Earn Victories Against MLS Opponents in U.S. Open Cup - USL

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