JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Charleston Battery were eliminated from the US Open Cup Wednesday night after falling to the Jacksonville Armada in extra time at Southern Oak Stadium.
Second half substitutes Alhassane Keita and Alex Dixon combined to score in the 107th minute to end the Battery’s run in the Open Cup. The goal came after an extended period of possession from the home side. Following the patient build-up, Dixon received the ball at the top of the penalty area and flicked it behind the Battery’s back four towards Keita who finished it calmly.
Despite the loss, goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper played perhaps his best game of the 2016 season. The Cuban goalkeeper made several big saves in both halves to keep the Battery in the game and was unlucky not to walk away with a result.
The game was tied at one for 85 minutes prior to Keita’s eventual game-winner. Patrick Otte opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a well-taken goal from inside the penalty area. The Battery battled back after falling behind and found an equalizer five minutes later.
Chris Tsonis scored his second goal of the season in the 22nd minute to bring the match back level. Romario Williams played a long ball into Tsonis near the top of the 18-yard box. The center forward brought the ball down well on his chest and slotted it under Jacksonville goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.
With the win, Jacksonville advances to the Fourth Round of the US Open Cup and will face Orlando City SC on June 15th, while the loss eliminates Charleston from the tournament. The Battery will travel to Pittsburgh this weekend and return to USL play Saturday night against the Riverhounds.
Box Score:
CHARLESTON BATTERY: Odisnel Cooper, Emmanuel Adjetey (yellow card, 47th), Forrest Lasso (Taylor Mueller, 103rd), Shawn Ferguson (c), O’Brian Woodbine, Maikel Chang, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Portillo, Dante Marini, Chris Tsonis (goal, 22nd) (Ataulla Guerra, 69th), Romario Williams (assist) (Ricky Garbanzo, 88th)
Unused substitutes: Alex Tambakis, Jose Nazareno, Austin Savage, Heviel Cordoves, Zach Prince
JACKSONVILLE ARMADA: Miguel Gallardo, Shawn Nicklas, Tyler Ruthann, Beto Navarro, Bryan Burke, Kevan George (c), Patrick Otte (goal, 17th), Junior Sandoval (yellow card, 36th), Danny Barrow (Derek Gebhard, 91st), Charles Eloundou (Alex Dixon, 73rd), Matt Fondy (assist) (Alhassane Keita, 79th; goal 107th)
Unused substitutes: Sean Lewis, Garry Lewis, Jemal Johnson
