WASHINGTON – 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.