RICHMOND, VA – The Charleston Battery came from behind to beat the Richmond Kickers, 2-1, at City Stadium Saturday night. The win momentarily keeps the Battery’s hopes of finishing in the top four and earning a first round home playoff game alive.
The match was even through the first 30 minutes with both sides throwing numbers forward and pushing for the opening goal. Richmond found the back of the net first by way of a penalty in the 33rd minute. Yudai Imura converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Alex Tambakis the wrong way to put his side in front. The 1-0 scoreline held heading into the break.
The Battery opened the second half well, searching for an equalizer; but were stymied by a tough Richmond defense. After failing to break down the opposing back four in the opening twenty minutes of the second half, Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser made two vital substitutions. Anhaeuser elected to bring on youngsters Andrew Carleton and Jeremy Ebobisse who were both instrumental in Charleston’s comeback.
Shortly after entering the match, Ebobisse found the ball in a scrum inside the Richmond penalty area and fed a pass to Romario Williams. The Jamaican center forward received the ball and smashed a left-footed shot past Andrew Dykstra at the near post. The 72-minute equalizer was Williams’ tenth goal of the year.
The game opened up tremendously after the equalizer, with both teams gunning for the go-ahead goal knowing a draw would kill their chances of hosting in the first round. Kickers’ substitute Sunny Jane had a chance to put his side in front after breaking through on goal in the 83rd minute, but hit the post, then dragged the rebound wide.
Minutes after the Kickers’ missed opportunity, the Battery found one of their own and converted. Carleton picked up the ball in midfield and played a cutting pass through Richmond’s defense into the feet of Maikel Chang. Chang turned and hit a bending left-footed shot that found the top corner of Dykstra’s goal. The eventual game-winner was Chang’s sixth goal of the year and second in consecutive games.
The three points in Richmond sets the Battery up well heading into next week’s regular season finale against Eastern Conference champions New York Red Bulls II at MUSC Health Stadium. Charleston could have a chance to clinch a top-four finish in the match, depending on other results around the league this weekend. Kickoff against NYRBII is scheduled for 7:30.
Box Score:
CHARLESTON BATTERY – Alex Tambakis, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Shawn Ferguson (yellow card, 37), Emmanuel Adjetey, Maikel Chang, Ataulla Guerra (yellow card, 50); (Jeffrey Otoo, 79), Zach Prince (yellow card, 62) (Neveal Hackshaw, 64), Dante Marini (Andrew Carleton, 62), Chris Tsonis (Jeremy Ebobisse, 62), Romario Williams (goal, 71) (Heviel Cordoves, 72)
Subs: Odisnel Cooper, Forrest Lasso
RICHMOND KICKERS – Andrew Dykstra, Alex Lee, Braeden Troyer, Hugh Roberts, Conor Shanosky, Yudai Imura (goal, 34) (Jason Yeisley, 89), Samuel Asante, Miguel Aguilar, Scott Thomsen, Jackson Eskay (William Yomby, 72), Anthony Grant (Sunny Jane, 78)
Subs: Mark Nankervis, Fred Sekyere Owusu, Brian Owmby, Matt Delicate
