The Charleston Battery were defeated 2-0 by D.C. United after extra time in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday at Audi Field. Charleston held their own admirably through 90 minutes, but a pair of goals by the hosts in the first period of extra time proved to be the difference to send the Battery out of the tournament.
Charleston and D.C. kicked off in what was the first meeting between the sides in the Open Cup since the 2008 Final, which D.C. won at old RFK Stadium.
It was a rather cagey start to the match as both sides got a feel for the game in the early stages. Arturo Rodriguez recorded the night’s first shot on target in the 13th minute, a strike from distance to the top corner that was ultimately saved by goalkeeper Kim Joon-Hong.
Bibi Karamoko registered D.C.’s first shot on target in the 27th minute but it was right to goalkeeper Luis Zamudio, who made a routine save.
Charleston added more pressure as the game neared the interval and started to tread dangerously in the D.C. defensive third. Juan David Torres had a shot saved in the 41st minute and Rubio Rubín saw his shot from inside the box go just wide in stoppage time.
The game went into the break scoreless, with the Battery totaling more shots (five to three) and holding the majority of possession (59.2%). However, the expected goals rating (xG) hovered low, with D.C.’s at 0.07 and the Battery’s at 0.16.
Play resumed for the second half with the Battery on the front foot early.
Rubín and Rodriguez led much of the Battery’s advances from the wings. The two connected for a shot inside the box in the 55th minute with Rodriguez’s shot appearing to deflect off the hand of D.C.’s Kye Rowles, but appeals for a handball and penalty went unheard.
Rubín appeared to have scored the opening goal in the 57th minute when he flicked in Houssou Landry’s cross into the net, however, the flag was raised for offside.
Zamudio made a clutch save in the 65th minute to deny Randall Leal and keep the game scoreless. A minute later, Leal had his shot blocked by Joey Akpunonu as the Battery’s defense began to feel more pressure.
Torres and Aaron Molloy both peppered shots on target through the 70-minute mark, but their attempts were saved by Joon-Hong
After six minutes of stoppage time, nothing separated the sides as the match went into extra time tied at 0-0. The teams ended the 90 minutes with 10 shots apiece.
Play continued into extra time with two 15-minute periods to decide the game. If the match was still tied after that, it would be decided by penalty kicks.
The hosts managed to find the breakthrough goal in the 96th minute via Jacob Murrell to the top corner of the net from roughly 30 yards out and just outside Zamudio’s reach.
D.C. added to their lead minutes later when Jared Stroud capped off a counterattack to make the score 2-0.
The first period of extra time ended with D.C. up 2-0 and the Battery needing a comeback in the final 15 minutes left of the night in the second period.
Charleston’s bid for a comeback looked to take form midway through the second period of extra time as they threw numbers forward. Emilio Ycaza got a piece of a Torres cross and hit the post in the 113th minute. Molloy had his shot blocked minutes later.
The Battery were reduced to 10 men in the 115th minute when Torres was shown a red card.
D.C. would hold off Charleston’s advances to get back into the game, securing the 2-0 win to advance to the Open Cup Round of 16.
A performance of note came from new center-back Michael Edwards, who made his first start with the Battery after arriving on loan from the Colorado Rapids and went 105 minutes. Edwards recorded 12 duels won, four clearances, two tackles won, two interceptions and one block.
Head Coach Ben Pirmann discussed the match after the final whistle, with key quotes to follow.
Coach Pirmann on his immediate takeaways from the game…
I think we played really well for 75, 80 minutes of regulation, and then, to be fair to [D.C.], their subs changed it, [Jared] Stroud and [Aaron] Herrera. At halftime, we told the team, ‘something different is going to solve this game, whether that’s a bad turnover, or somebody sleeping on a restart, or somebody putting one in the top corner from 30 yards out.’ I give full credit to [Jacob] Murrell – he thumped it in the top corner. That was the game.
I thought we had a great game for the majority, otherwise. We created chances, we dominated the ball, we played with courage. We went for it and gave up the second [goal] on the restart, which happens, but I’m proud of the effort, proud of the attitude.
The big reflection is that we have to be able to change the game, from a coaching standpoint, from a personnel standpoint, with more positive energy and a stronger mentality. But, full credit to D.C. for winning, and full credit to our guys. I thought we dominated a lot of phases of the game. A lot of people would watch that game, and it was a good advert for football in this country. I think it was a good advert for what the Charleston Battery are. We want to be courageous, and we want to be selfless, and I think those things happened, just not quite there for the final attack and the final finish.
Coach Pirmann on the positives to take from the game moving forward…
We dominated the ball, but with intent. They wanted to speed this game up and put us under pressure and have transition moments. We didn’t allow that. It took 15, 20, minutes to really stretch them out. But like you said, we had the goal called back, Arturo [Rodriguez] had a great shot, Juan David [Torres] had some nice movements with some attacks. Michael [Edwards] coming in did a very good job to help as another true center-back.
You mentioned Rubio [Rubín] up top, we’ve got good strikers that can play. We’ve got good midfielders that want to move the ball. I thought Arturo and Juan David did a good job on the edges with creating attacks. You’re not going to have a game where there’s 25 chances each direction. I think the shots at halftime were five to two [sic] in favor of us, and it was 60/40 possession, but they were comfortable with it.
Coach Pirmann on turning the page to Tampa Bay on Saturday…
I think win, lose or draw, every single game, you look forward to the next event. We’re at Tampa, a very good team in a very difficult place to play, and three games in eight days for both teams. So, we’re going to have to figure out a way to have our energy at a high level, move the ball and be able to defend a little bit better. I was satisfied with the overall team performance in and out of possession, but we’re gonna have to get better for Saturday, because they’re good and we’re good, and both teams always go for it when we play each other.
Coach Pirmann on the traveling support at Audi Field…
The last thing for me, I saw a bunch of Battery fans, a bunch of yellow and black jerseys. That’s awesome. I know it’s a long trip for them and I just appreciate it. The support was there, we felt it in back to back road games and hopefully we will feel it again in Tampa.
Charleston’s next match will be away vs. the Tampa Bay Rowdies on May 10. The Battery will return home the following weekend to host San Antonio FC on May 17, for Military Appreciation Night at Patriots Point. Tickets for the home game are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
Lineups and Scoring Summary
Lineups
CHS – Zamudio, Houssou (Ycaza, 99’), Molloy, Akpunonu, Blackstock (Dossantos, 91’), Allan (Segbers, 85’), Edwards (Klein, 109’), Rodríguez (Martínez, 84’), Myers, Torres, Rubín (Jennings, 61’)
DC – Joon-Hong, Rowles, Servania, Tubbs, Schnegg (Herrera, 46’), Enow (Zouhir, 64’), Kijima (Barajas, 72’) , Peltola (Stroud, 82’), Murrell, Karamoko (Leal, 46’), Dodson
Scoring Summary
DC – Jacob Murrell (Randall Leal), 96′
DC – Jared Stroud (Randall Leal), 103′
