Following their 0-0 draw with Ottawa Fury FC in the league over the weekend, the Charleston Battery returns to U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday night to take on Elm City Express (NPSL). The third-round match is scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 PM at MUSC Health Stadium.
The Battery defeated South Georgia Tormenta FC, 1-0, to advance to the third round. Last week’s win was Charleston’s 13th consecutive in their opening match of the Open Cup. Patrick Okonkwo scored his first professional goal to help the Battery edge out Tormenta, while Odisnel Cooper earned the shutout in goal.
Nico Rittmeyer was shown two yellow cards in the contest with Tormenta and is suspended for Wednesday’s match.
Elm City Express defeated two PDL teams away from home to advance to the third round of the tournament. Anthony Asante scored a goal in each half to lift the Express past the Western Mass Pioneers in the first round, while Shaquille Saunchez scored a brace in the final nine minutes of Elm City’s 2-0 win over the Seacoast United Phantoms in the second round.
Between the two Open Cup wins, Elm City dropped a 2-1 result in league play to Hartford City FC. The Battery, meanwhile, haven’t lost a match since March 31. The USL side is on an eight game unbeaten streak in all competitions. During the unbeaten run, the Battery have only given up three goals, earning five clean sheets along the way.
The winner of Wednesday’s third-round match will advance to the MLS Round of the Open Cup set to take place on Wednesday, June 6. The team that advances is guaranteed a meeting with an MLS team, however, home field advantage will be determined by coin flip during the draw on Thursday, May 24.
Tickets for Wednesday’s match are $7 and can be purchased online here or at the box office on the day of the game. In addition to free parking, MUSC Health Stadium will be serving dollar beers beginning when gates open at 5:30 on Wednesday night. The match will be streamed live on ussoccer.com.
