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10-Man Battery Stun Kickers Late

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/16/17, 9:01PM EDT

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Cordoves scores winner for Charleston in 1-0 victory


Photo courtesy Charleston Battery

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery got a late goal by Heviel Cordoves to earn a 1-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers despite being down to 10 men for the entire second half at MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night. The Battery had a big chance in just the second minute as Romario Williams got in behind the Kickers defense, but Travis Worra came up with a big save to turn his shot wide of the left post. Ataulla Guerra also went close for the hosts early on, only for Worra to get enough of his finish to allow his defense to clear, and Kotaro Higashi had his shot from 25 yards pushed onto the crossbar by Worra in the 15th minute. Charleston hit the crossbar again through Williams as the hosts pressed for the opening goal, but Williams was sent off in the 37th minute as he clipped down Richmond defender Alex Lee after the ball had been sent back to Worra defensively. Richmond got its first good chance to open the score eight minutes before halftime, only for Matt Bolduc’s header to go wide of the left post, and Bolduc forced a save just past the hour-mark from Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper as the Kickers tried to press with their man advantage. Charleston took the lead with six minutes to go, however, as a corner kick by Maikel Chang from the right was flicked home at the near-post by Heviel Cordoves to take the lead against the run of play. Chang almost doubled the Battery’s lead with two minutes to go as his curling shot went just wide of the left post, while Richmond’s late pressure saw Mallan Roberts head over the crossbar in stoppage time, but the Battery held on for a vital three points in their push for a top-four finish.

Scoring:
84’ – CHS – Heviel Cordoves (Maikel Chang)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. The Battery seemed determined to end their elongated run of disappointing results early on, but through some bad luck and outstanding goalkeeping by Travis Worra were unable to capitalize on some great chances in the opening 20 minutes. Twice hitting the crossbar, and having Worra make three excellent saves kept the game scoreless long enough for the Kickers to get enough of a foothold in the game, and when Williams was sent off after a frustrated kick at the Kickers’ Alex Lee, the game began to even out.

  • 2. Up a man, the Kickers had more of the play in the second half, but the visitors weren’t able to find a way to break down a stout defensive display by the Battery. Richmond finished with only one shot on goal on the night as the recent burst in form shown by the side subsided against its longtime rivals. That inability to capitalize on the added space with scoring chances was punished late on by the Battery as the Kickers were left to reflect on another disappointing road performance on the road as their late pressure didn’t find an equalizer.

  • 3. With his side down a man, Heviel Cordoves was brought on in the second half to try and give his side a boost of energy in the final 20 minutes. The Cuban forward not only provided that, but he also scored the goal that could be a major turning point in the Battery’s season. With Romario Williams set to be suspended for a major clash on Wednesday night against the Charlotte Independence, Cordoves could be the man to lead the line from the opening kickoff for the Battery, and his goal will give him a big confidence boost to get on a strong run of form.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Heviel Cordoves, Charleston Battery – Cordoves proved the trump card for Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser off the bench to score a late winner and give the Battery a big boost despite being down to 10 men.

Upcoming Games:
Charleston Battery
vs. Charlotte Independence – September 20, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium
Richmond Kickers vs. Rochester Rhinos – September 23, 7 p.m. ET, City Stadium

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