USL Charleston Battery

Charleston, Orlando Set for Open Cup Fourth Round

Published on June 12, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


TAMPA, Fla. - The 2012 USL PRO Champions, the Charleston Battery, and current league leader, Orlando City, carry the league's flag into the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night, with both teams aiming to defeat another opponent from Major League Soccer to earn a place in the quarterfinals.

Orlando advanced to the fourth round with a 3-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids two weeks ago, with Dom Dwyer scoring a pair of second-half goals at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The victory was Orlando's first in the Open Cup against MLS opposition, and set up a contest with the club's MLS affiliate Sporting Kansas City.

Dwyer, along with fellow SKC loanees Jon Kempin, Yann Songo'o and Christian Duke, will not be available against their parent club, but the Lions will still pose a threat to the defending Open Cup champions at Sporting Park. Last season the two teams met in the third round of the tournament, with Sporting edging out a 3-2 victory at Sporting Park. With players such as forward Jamie Watson (seven goals, six assists), goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo (0.600 GAA), and defender Rob Valentino (two-time All-USL PRO), the Lions are aiming to overturn last year's result.

While Orlando's upset was the club's first in the Open Cup, the Battery continued their tradition of success in the tournament by defeating the San Jose Earthquakes at Blackbaud Stadium. The victory was Charleston's ninth against MLS opposition in the Open Cup, with the Battery being the last lower-division side to reach the tournament's final (2008), with another pair of semifinal appearances also in the club's history.

Charleston will visit Real Salt Lake in the fourth round for the first meeting between the two clubs in the Open Cup. The teams have met once previously at the Battery's Carolina Challenge Cup, with RSL taking a 3-1 victory in the 2010 edition of the tournament. This year's Battery, coming off their second title in three seasons, will provide a challenge for the perennial MLS Playoffs contender, with standout Nicki Paterson (five goals), captain Colin Falvey (game-winning goal vs. San Jose) and 2012 USL PRO Rookie of the Year Jose Cuevas all set to play key roles at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Orlando's contest with Sporting Kansas City kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET, while Charleston's game against Real Salt Lake is set for 9:30 p.m. ET as both sides look to continue their outstanding seasons in 2013.

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