Sports stats

USL San Diego Loyal

SD Loyal Extends Franchise's Best Start with 4-1 WIn vs. Charleston Battery

April 9, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


San Diego - San Diego Loyal SC knew April would be a busy month. It would have to play five league matches, four of them in a span of two week. It has answered the first half of that busy calendar by extending its best start in team history.

SD Loyal continued with a fast start to the season with a 4-1 win against visiting Charleston Battery Saturday at Torero Stadium at USD. Kyle Vassell and Tumi Moshobane helped their team to three more points in the Western Conference standings. Add an own goal by Charleston Battery goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and the rout was on for Donovan's team that continues to be undefeated at home this 2022 USL Championship season.

SD Loyal is now 5-1 with 15 points and went unbeaten this past week after playing three matches in six days. It beat El Paso Locomotive last week in league play last Sunday then it had a quick turnaround and beat Albion San Diego in its first ever U.S. Open Cup appearance midweek.

Then it was back to league action Saturday night in the first meeting with Charleston Battery (1-4, 3 points). And that action included Vassell scoring twice (45+1 and 75th minute). It also had Moshobane opening the scoring when he tapped in a pass from Thomas Amang past Kuzminsky in the 11th minute. Moshobane moved into the penalty box from the right. Amang fought off a defender and was able to poke it to Moshobane to set up the score in the 11th minute.

The scoring play came after Charleston Battery spent the first 10 minutes pressuring with its attack. It was until SD Loyal was able to send a long ball upfield that Vassell was able to bring it down and fed Amang the ball before Amang used his speed to beat his defender and get the ball to Moshobane.

Amang was involved in a play that resulted in a Charleston Battery own goal in the 23rd minute. SD Loyal led 2-0 when Collin Martin sent in a ball into the penalty area and off the left post. The ball then ricocheted off Kuzminsky and into his own net.

Charleston did find the opponent's goal in the 28th minute to cut the SD Loyal lead to 2-1. Mauro Cichero got a head on a cross from Geobel Perez. Cichero sent it in from near the penalty spot just past Koke Vegas, the SD Loyal goalkeeper.

Vassell extended the SD Loyal lead to 3-1 when he blasted a left-footed shot from near the left post and close to the end line. The physical striker fought off a defender, turned around and fired the low shot after Alejandro Guido sent in a free kick into the area. He went on to add his second of the night late in the match when he blasted a left-footed shot from about 20 yards out past Kuzminsky. The Charleston Battery goalkeeper had no chance. The English striker's shot zoomed into the net to seal the win for SD Loyal. Vassell took a ball just outside the penalty box, made a couple of moves and shook off his mark before sending his blast into goal.

SD Loyal will continue with its busy schedule with another two-match week. It will first travel to the Bay Area to face Oakland Roots Wednesday April 13 and then it will resume U.S. Open Cup play. It will visit LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer April 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park before coming home to host Louisville City FC Saturday April 16.

Check out the San Diego Loyal Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 9, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent San Diego Loyal Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central