VAUGHAN, Ontario – The Charleston Battery’s Romario Williams tallied a 79th-minute rebound to lift his side to a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC II on Saturday at the Ontario Soccer Centre. Williams’ team-leading seventh goal of the season helped his side improve to 8-4-3 (27 points) overall on the season to move into sole possession of fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the Charlotte Independence. Charleston also swept the season series against TFC II, having earned a 2-0 victory on May 14 in Charleston. Toronto dropped to 3-10-4 (13 points) overall and 2-4-2 at home. Skylar Thomas picked up a second yellow card and was subsequently sent off in second-half stoppage time as Toronto was forced to play the remaining minutes down a man.

Scoring:
79’ – CHS – Romario Williams

Three Things That Mattered:

• 1. It was a defensive battle for much of Sunday’s match, but Charleston finally broke through with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in regulation. Ricky Garbanzo started the 79th-minute sequence with a shot that Toronto goalkeeper Phil Di Bennardo turned away with the foot stop. However, the deflection popped out for Romario Williams who rushed on and slotted it home for a 1-0 lead. Williams now has seven goals in 14 games played this season.

• 2. Toronto went with Di Bennardo in the net for his second appearance of the season, and the spotlight certainly grew as the match wore on. Charleston had several patient buildups in the opening 45 minutes, as well as some dangerous crosses to try and test Di Bennardo, who looked a bit shaky on a 13th-minute sequence that Wesley Charpie helped clear. As the half wore on, the 19-year-old goalkeeper looked more comfortable. Charleston’s 28th-minute set piece chance, for example, Justin Portillo’s corner was first punched away, and Portillo earned a second crack and crossed back in, only to see Di Bennardo this time corral the ball. Then in the second half, Di Bennardo was called upon against Zach Prince, who drove in a knuckling shot and Di Bennardo parried it over the crossbar in the 65th minute. Three minutes later, Di Bennardo made a clutch stop with his legs against Williams. Though Williams would eventually break through with the winner, it was a strong effort from Di Bennardo overall.

• 3. With the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final taking place this week between Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, players such as goalkeeper Alex Bono and goal-scoring leader Raheem Edwards were unavailable for TFC II on Sunday. Both were bench options during Toronto’s 1-0 win against Vancouver on June 21. The two MLS sides meet up again this Wednesday at BC Place in Vancouver.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Romario Williams, Charleston Battery - Williams' play improved in the second half and he struck with the game's lone goal late on.

Upcoming Games:
Toronto FC II at Wilmington Hammerheads FC – July 2, 7 p.m. ET, Legion Stadium
Charleston Battery vs. Richmond Kickers – July 2, 7:30 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium