RICHMOND, Va. – The Charleston Battery dominated the Richmond Kickers in a convincing 0-4 road win in Round 2 of the Prinx Tires USL Cup Group Stage on Saturday at City Stadium. The match was the 65th meeting all-time between the 1993 clubs, but the first since 2018. Four different goalscorers contributed to the Battery’s win: Langston Blackstock and Colton Swan in the first half, and Miguel Berry and Jeremy Kelly in the second half. Goalkeeper John Berner notched his first shutout of the year, as the Battery took the lead in Group 6 of the USL Cup.
The nationally televised evening kicked off amid perfect conditions in the mid-80s at City Stadium. Charleston nearly broke open the game in the 8th minute when Jeremy Kelly connected with Langston Blackstock, unmarked in the box, but Blackstock’s free header went over the crossbar.
Blackstock had his moment of redemption in the 20th minute when he found the perfect angle to put the Battery ahead, 0-1. Kirill Pakhomov sent in a long ball from his own half that gave Blackstock a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Yann Fillion. From there, Blackstock navigated past Fillion and placed his shot just inside the far post from a near-impossible angle.
The goal for Blackstock was his first of the year, and for the Battery, and the assist was Pakhomov’s first of the year.
Charleston nearly added to their lead moments later, but Blackstock’s shot in the 27th minute was saved by Fillion.
The Battery struck again in the 40th minute when Colton Swan sliced through the Richmond defense and doubled their lead, 0-2. Miguel Berry played Swan from the edge of the byline, and Swan cut into the box with a nutmeg and sublime finish that beat Fillion at the near post.
Swan’s goal was his sixth across all competitions in 2026, and his first in USL Cup play. Berry’s assist was his first of the year.
Richmond attempted to pull one back before the break, but goalkeeper John Berner made a pair of saves in the final five minutes of the first half to ensure the hosts stayed off the board.
Charleston took the 0-2 lead into halftime, with the Battery outshooting the Kickers, nine to two, and holding roughly 64% possession.
Play resumed for the second stanza with Charleston aiming to carry their momentum from the first half and seal the three points.
Charleston kept their foot on the gas pedal, and this time Miguel Berry cashed in to make the score 0-3 in favor of the visitors in the 69th minute. A cross into the box by Douglas Martinez initiated the threat, which led to a shot from Maalique Foster that was saved. However, the parried ball fell right to Berry at the edge of the six-yard box, who summarily buried the ball into the net with authority.
Berry’s goal was his second of the year and of the USL Cup.
Not done yet, the Battery made it 4-nil just moments later when Kelly put his name on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute. Swan released Foster with a through ball, and Maalique cut a pass back to Kelly, who sent his first-time strike into the net.
Kelly’s goal was his first of the year, and Foster’s assist was his second.
On the other end, Berner had a relatively routine second half and did not have to make a save after the intermission.
The 0-4 scoreline held firm into the final stages of the match and the Battery secured all three points in Round 2 of the Group Stage over their fellow 1993 rivals.
With the victory, Charleston ascended to the top of Group 6 with six points on two wins, one point ahead of Charlotte Independence.
The Battery’s win in the 65th all-time meeting between the sides improved Charleston’s record against Richmond to 29-27L-9D in the fixture. It also marked the Battery’s first victory at City Stadium since September 2016.
Goalkeeper John Berner notched his first shutout of the year after making three saves. It is the Battery’s third clean sheet of 2026.
Graham Smith led the game with 11 duels won, in addition to three clearances and two tackles won.
Miguel Berry chipped in one goal and one assist, his first game with two goal contributions since joining the Battery, and making him the club’s top scorer in the USL Cup so far.
Jeremy Kelly recorded a match-high three tackles won and four chances created, along with his goal in the 73rd minute.
Douglas Martinez, who entered the game after halftime, co-led the game in interceptions (three).
Charleston hit the road for their next match, against New Mexico United on May 23. The Battery’s next home game will be on Sat., May 30, against Detroit City FC for Military Appreciation Night at Patriots Point. Tickets for the match are on sale now via SeatGeek.com, the club’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
Lineups:
RIC: Fillion, Anderson (Howell, 70’), Barnathan, Layton, Murana, Espinal, Seufert, Sasankhah (Amer, 71’), O'Malley (Gallegos, 85’), Johnson (Moore, 70’), Pannholzer (Richman, 85’)
CHS: Berner, Messer (Martínez, 46’), Suber, Smith, Blackstock (Foster, 62’), Pakhomov, Ycaza, Kelly (Cabrera, 74’), Berry (Akpunonu, 74’), Houssou, Swan (Wayne, 74’)
Scoring Summary:
CHS – Langston Blackstock, 20’ (Kirill Pakhomov)
CHS – Colton Swan, 40’ (Miguel Berry)
CHS – Miguel Berry, 69’
CHS – Jeremy Kelly, 73’ (Maalique Foster)