USL Charleston Battery

Last Minute Goal Earns Battery Draw vs. DC United

February 26, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Charleston, SC. 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 got a foot on the shot to prevent Kelly from scoring.

After 70minutes of play United head coach Ben Olsen made wholesale changes removing all ten 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 towards full time, Charleston forced a corner that was headed home by defender Drew Ruggles and 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 played to a 1-1 draw in the first match of the night on Wednesday night.

Houston netted the first goal of the game in the 14th minute when midfielder Tony Cascio controlled a rebounded shot before passing the ball across the box to teammate Brad Davis, who finished with a shot into the right side of the goal.

Seattle was able to pull back into a tie with the Dynamo in the 44th minute with a goal from forward Obafemi Martins. Forward Lamar Neagle created the opportunity with a cutting run into the box 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 in the second half with the best chance coming from Houston 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 take on D.C. United at 5 PM followed by the Charleston Battery vs Houston Dynamo at 7:15 PM. Tickets are available starting at $15, to purchase tickets or for more information please call 843-971-GOAL (4625) or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from February 26, 2014


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