The Charleston Battery secured a 1-2 victory over Hartford Athletic on Saturday at Trinity Health Stadium. Charleston were off to a fast start after MD Myers’ goal in the 7th minute and Houssou Landry’s strike in the 50th minute proved to be the match-winner. The Battery held off Hartford’s late comeback bid and extended their undefeated streak in USL Championship play to nine matches.
After Hartford came out of the gate with some momentum on their side, it did not take long for the Battery to make their mark on the game.
Charleston’s first advance into the final third saw them break open the game via MD Myers in the 7th minute, taking an early 0-1 lead. The play was instigated by Michael Edwards winning the ball out of the defensive third before playing it to Houssou Landry on the other side to lead the advance. Houssou threaded a perfect through ball to Myers, and Myers outmaneuvered Hartford’s defense in the box and delivered a clinical finish.
The goal was Myers’ seventh of the league campaign and 10th overall this year.
Myers nearly doubled the Battery’s lead in the 12th minute when he went one-on-one with goalkeeper Antony Siaha, but the shot was saved this time.
On the other end, goalkeeper Luis Zamudio was active in keeping Hartford off the board. The shot-stopper made three saves in the first half, including two on shots from inside the six-yard box.
Charleston took the 0-1 lead into halftime despite conceding a majority of the possession (46.8% to 53.2%) and a lower xG (expected goals) rating of 0.47 to 1.39, conveying the Battery’s efficiency with the ball and their chances.
Play resumed for the second half with Charleston on the front foot.
It again did not take much waiting for the Battery to double their lead, as Houssou was the man to capitalize on the moment with a sensational strike in the 50th minute. The chance was created quickly after Cal Jennings’ shot was blocked and uncollected. Houssou stepped up, gathered the loose ball, and then sent a missile into the back of the net.
Houssou’s goal was his second of the year, and his second against Hartford after also scoring in the match on May 3.
Myers again almost scored his second goal of the night after his header in the 60th minute hit off the woodwork.
The hosts looked to stage a late comeback bid and managed to cut the lead in half via TJ Presthus in the 80th minute.
A notable moment came in the 82nd minute when Leland Archer entered the match off the bench, which marked his first appearance since April 26. Archer contributed a key defensive header in the 90th minute to break up a dangerous cross into the box by Hartford.
Charleston withstood Hartford’s last-ditch efforts for an equalizer and secured the three points in the 1-2 victory, their first triumph at Trinity Health Stadium since 2023. The win extended the Battery’s undefeated streak in league play to nine matches.
The result advances Charleston’s record to 9W-2L-1D (28pts), placing them in second place but with a game in hand.
It was also the Battery’s 10th all-time win over Hartford since 2019.
Joey Akpunonu had a busy night against his former club and recorded a match-high 11 clearances, in addition to two tackles won, three blocks, three recoveries and four duels won.
Emilio Ycaza led the game with nine duels won on the night.