Charleston Battery News Release - www.charlestonbattery.com
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
CHARLESTON, SC -- The Charleston Battery opened the First Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play Tuesday night knocking off amateur side Atlanta F.C. 2-0 at Blackbaud Stadium. Randi Patterson and Tsuyoshi Yoshitake notched first half goals in the scrappy match to earn the Battery a place in the second round versus Miami F.C. Blues in Miami next Tuesday.
The win keeps the Battery unbeaten in 2009 in all competitions. In 2008, the Battery advanced to the USOC Final, falling to MLS club D.C. United 2-1 at RKF Stadium.
“Most importantly, we’re moving on to the Second Round,” said Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We got an early goal, which is what you want in games like this. It set the tone for the game and now we can look forward to next week.”
Playing the club’s third game in days, Anhaeuser fielded a patchwork squad of reserve players and first team regulars. Yoshitake, who along with a goal served up Patterson’s goal from a corner kick, saw his first minutes after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury. Defender O’Brian Woodbine made his debut for the Battery coming on at halftime after a preseason injury.
Keith Wiggans, in his second start on the season, earned the clean sheet on the night was not forced to make a save on the night.
Patterson put the Battery ahead just 37 seconds into the match, streaking through Atlanta’s six-yard box and nodding home a Yoshitake corner kick.
“It was a great ball from Yoshi,” Patterson said. “All I had to do was get my head to it.”
The goal was Patterson’s second on the year in all competitions.
The game deteriorated shortly after. Down a goal and unable to match the Battery in skill or fitness, the region III amateur state champions sought to slow down the game with physical play, accumulating a total of 16 fouls. Twenty-eight minutes into the match Venn Sappia was ejected for an off-the-ball confrontation with Ian Fuller.
The Battery capitalized on the man advantage shortly after play resumed when John Wilson beat his defender down the left flank and sent a low ball into an unmarked Yoshitake inside the six-yard box. Yoshitake had little trouble slotting home his second goal of the season in all competitions.
Two more Atlanta players along with the coach were dismissed before the conclusion of the match.
Open Cup play resumes next Tuesday for the Battery at Miami, 2-1 winners over Jacksonville-based amateur side Lynch’s FC. The Battery returns to league action Saturday night hosting the Portland Timbers at 7:30. Call 843-971-GOAL or go to www.charlestonbattery.com for ticket information.
