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USL-1 Charleston Battery

Houston Defeats Battery to Advance to Semifinals of Open Cup

July 7, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON SC-The Charleston Battery fell to Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo Tuesday night at a rain-soaked Blackbaud Stadium 4-0 in quarterfinal action of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

"Houston is a solid team, even with a few of their younger players in the lineup, they are strong in the back. If you get behind them it's hard to come back," said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. "We gave up that goal early and then we just didn't have enough to come back before we lost our legs."

Geoff Cameron's two goals bookended tallies by Bobby Boswell and Dominic Oduro for the current MLS leaders. For the Battery, which regained first place in USL-1 with a 1-0 win at Montreal Sunday night, tonight's result was the first match the Battery conceded more than one goal in a game in all competitions this season.

In the two club's two previous meetings, both USOC third round fixtures, the Battery came out victorious over the two-time MLS Cup champions in extra time in 2007 and in penalty kicks in 2008.

Just 10 minutes into the match a torrential rain began to fall, slowing the match to a crawl as both teams adjusted to the playing conditions before Houston opened scoring 16 minutes into the match off Cameron.

Cameron got enough of John Michael Hayden's corner kick to redirect the ball towards the Battery goal. Battery defender John Wilson did manage to get a piece of the ball as it floated under the cross bar but could not get it out in time.

The goal served as a wake up call for the Battery, forcing the run of play on Houston for the remainder of the half. Scott Buete was unlucky not to capitalize on a streaking run down the left side in the Battery's best chance of the half.

The Battery's comeback efforts were dealt a blow just two minutes into the second half when Boswell tapped in a Hayden free kick at the far post to put the visitors up by two.

Houston put the game away five minutes later when Oduro created space off the dribble, slotting his 20-yard shot just inside the far post past a diving Hudock.

Cameron capped the night's scoring in the 73rd minute, nodding a quick Brian Mullen free kick to the far post past Hudock.

"It's very disappointing, especially considering we've made it to the semifinals the last two years," Anhaeuser said. "Now we put it behind us and concentrate on league play."

The Battery, 8-2-6 in league play and one point clear of Puerto Rico at the top of the USL-1 table return to league play Saturday, hosting the Carolina RailHawks. Kickoff is at 7:30. Fireworks follow immediately after the match. For ticket information call 843-971-GOAL or go to www.charlestonbattery.com.

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USL First Division Stories from July 7, 2009


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