CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery moved closer to a place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs as they managed an impressive 3-0 Southern Derby win against the Charlotte Independence at MUSC Health Stadium on Wednesday night. Some phenomenal passing gave Charleston Battery the opening goal of the match in the sixth minute, with six passes ending when Kotaro Higashi squared for Heviel Cordoves to slot home. Substitute Ricky Garbanzo doubled the Charleston lead in the 73rd minute, checking his run to stay onside before he received Higashi’s pass in the right side of the penalty area and placed his shot perfectly in to the opposite corner of the net. Garbanzo turned provider in the 80th minute as he produced a perfectly-timed ball to release Cordoves, who was left onside, allowing the Cuban forward to break in on goal alone to score his second and seal the result. With the goal at his mercy in the 40th minute Cordoves shot agonizingly wide, missing the goal by less than an inch. Charlotte charged late in the half, but couldn’t find a goal, heading to the break level. Charlotte thought it earned a penalty in the 65th minute after the referee pointed to the spot but after consulting with the assistant reversed the decision as the play was ruled offside, and from there the Battery regained momentum to take a valuable three points.

Scoring:
13’ – CHS – Heviel Cordoves (Kotaro Higashi)
73’ – CHS – Ricky Garbanzo (Kotaro Higashi)
80’ – CHS – Heviel Cordoves (Ricky Garbanzo)

• #CHSvCLT: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. Charleston has created an opportunity to clinch a place in the USL Cup Playoffs on Saturday against Orlando City B. Needing five points prior to this match, the Battery will seal their berth in the playoffs with a win or a draw against Orlando. Charlotte could have sealed a postseason place on Wednesday night, but will have to wait until Saturday as they head to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies with a draw enough to get the Independence in.

• 2. While the attack from the Battery was obviously strong with the 3-0 result, credit must also be paid to the Battery defense which held out well for the shutout. It was the second straight match in which the Battery kept their opponent scoreless and the first time Charlotte had been held scoreless in nine matches. Better still for the Battery defense, they held Charlotte without a shot on target until stoppage time in the second half.  

• 3. With the win the Battery continued their impressive home record for the season, having lost just one match at home at MUSC Health Stadium in 2017. That loss came back in April against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and since then the club has run its undefeated streak at home to 13 matches. That will make securing a home playoff vital for Charleston as it will look to take that run in to the playoffs.

Kotaro Higashi, Charleston Battery – Higashi was strong throughout the match, making strong runs up and down the left wing and providing two assists. Higashi created three chances, managed two tackles and won seven duels in an impressive performance.

Upcoming Games:
Charleston Battery vs. Orlando City B – September 23, 7:30p.m. ET, Orlando City Stadium
Charlotte Independence vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies – September 23, 7:30p.m. ET, Al Lang Field