The Charleston Battery were defeated by Greenville Triumph SC, 0-1, in Round 2 of the USL Jägermeister Cup group stage on Saturday at Patriots Point. Charleston fought valiantly throughout the night but were unable to find the back of the net against the Upstate side. A goal by Ben Zakowski before halftime proved to be the difference-maker. While the loss hurts Charleston’s standing in the Jägermeister Cup, it bears no impact on their USL Championship regular season standing.
Featuring a lineup with six changes from last weekend, the Battery opened the night looking to secure their first victory in the Jägermeister Cup. Charleston quickly established control of the ball and held 74% possession through the first 10 minutes.
In the 7th minute, the Battery pushed forward as Rubio Rubín slipped a well-timed pass to Douglas Martínez, who fired a shot on target and forced a save from goalkeeper Gunther Rankenburg. Charleston made 16 entries into the final third through the first quarter-hour, more than doubling Greenville’s six.
Klein nearly scored the opener in the 27th minute with a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area, but Rankenburg again made the save.
Goalkeeper Christian Garner was called into action for the first time in the 32nd minute when he denied Michael Gonzalez from close range.
Greenville managed to score the opener in the 44th minute via Ben Zakowski.
The Triumph took the 0-1 lead into the break, despite Charleston holding 71% possession and more than double the final third entries (40 to 19).
Play resumed in the second half with the Battery pressing for an equalizer.
Rubín nearly did that in the 55th minute when his shot from inside the box was blocked. Appeals for a handball were made, but no call was given. Moments later, Martínez fired a shot to the top of the goal that was saved by Rankenburg.
The Battery appeared to find an equalizer in the 58th minute when Cal Jennings had a stellar finish to beat Rankenburg, but the flag was raised for offside. Jennings had his shot in the 71st minute saved by Rackenburg.
Charleston continued to throw numbers forward as the half entered the final stages. Joey Akpunonu nearly found the leveler in the 82nd minute when he came crashing in for a header that went just wide of the crossbar.
In the 90th minute, MD Myers almost tied the game with a first-time strike from inside the box. His attempt was saved but rebounded back to him, however his follow-up shot off the volley went over the crossbar.
Rubín had a last-ditch attempt for a header off a Nathan Dossantos cross, but his shot was blocked as Greenville had four players along the goal line.
Greenville held on to secure the 0-1 win in the Jägermeister Cup group stage game. The result kept Charleston in sixth in the group and on the outside looking in, in terms of advancing to the knockout phase.
While the loss does not help the Battery’s cause in the Jägermeister Cup, it does not impact their standing in the USL Championship regular season.