Referee: Brian Poeschel Assistant Referees: Ronnie Canales, Christopher Sculthorpe Attendance: 4,125 Weather: Hot Blackbaud Player of the Game: Mark Watson
Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - Charleston, SC BATTERY LOSES OT THRILLER TO RAPIDS
John Spencer Scores Golden Goal In 98th Minute Charleston, SC. – The A-League Charleston Battery lost in OT tonight to Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids in the third round of the US Open Cup. Forward, John Spencer scored the golden-goal in the 98th minute converting neatly after a goalmouth scramble. The Rapids advance to the quarterfinals where they will meet the Dallas Burn. Dallas defeated the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 in OT in a match also played tonight.
4,125 Battery fans were in attendance on a very warm Charleston night, however, despite the heat the game was played at a remarkably fast pace. The first half was very even; Charleston had a chance in the 30th minute but midfielder, Kevin Anderson’s long-range shot was high of the target.
In the 41st minute former US Men’s National Teamer, Mark Chung shot from distance, his attempt also was off target. The Battery had four corners to the Rapids none in the first period and outshot Colorado 5-2.
After the break both teams continued to play the same tight attacking football. The Rapids came close in the 70th minute. The ball broke for wide-player Zack Kingsley on the far flank. He carried it into the box then drilled the ball towards the back post. It narrowly missed the target as forward, Chris Henderson stretched to reach the loose ball.
In the 84th minute, following a corner kick Battery midfielder, John Jones had a hard shot blocked at the edge of the six-yard box.
With sudden-death OT approaching Charleston mounted one last challenge. Second half substiute Morgan Zeba broke a tackle close to the Colorado goal-line. He pulled the ball onto his left-foot then swung a good pass into the middle. Striker, Paul Conway met the cross but his header glanced off the bar and out of bounds.
The winning goal came in the 8th minute of OT. Colorado won a corner kick and the cross resulted in a goalmouth scramble at the back of the Charleston penalty area. The ball squirted free to Scottish forward, John Spencer. Spencer swiveled quickly then lashed a shot past Battery goalkeeper, Dusty Hudock into the goal. The final score, Charleston Battery 0 – Colorado Rapids 1.
Scoring Summary
Goal (Assist)
Minute
Colorado Rapids
Spencer
98
Team Summary
Charleston Battery
Players
Dusty Hudock, Andrew Lewis, Linval Dixon, Mark Watson, John Wilson, Steve Klein (Morgan Zeba 45), Kevin Anderson, Justin Evans, Kyle Swords (John Jones 55), Paul Conway, Ryan Trout (Raul Diaz Arce 92)
Players Not Used - Terry Phelan, Jake Edwards, Matt Farris, Todd Hoffard
Players
Scott Garlick, Rick Titus, Robin Fraser, Steve Herdsman (Rich Kotschau 83), Wes Hart, Zack Kingsley, Mark Chung (Raul Palacios 83), Chris Henderson (Chris Carrieri 70), Pablo Mastroeni, Carlos Valderrama, John Spencer
Players Not Used - David Kraemer, Kyle Beckerman, Jeff Stuart
