The Charleston Battery enter the 102 year old national tournament (2nd oldest national tournament in the world behind England's FA Cup) tomorrow night in the 2nd round against Miami United of the NPSL league. Tickets are only $5 and parking is free. Below is a preview:
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/battery-host-dangerous-miami-united-fc/The only other SC team in the tourney is the Upward Stars of the NPSL playing the USL Charlotte Independence at Winthrop's Eagle Field at 7:30. Here's a link to the US Open Cup site if you want to follow along, a great tournament that should get more press and attention.
http://thecup.us/
Agree totally about the coverage! Great tournament. I had to look up info on the Upward Stars -- didn't realize they were from Spartanburg.
http://www.upwardstarsfc.org/aboutus
Battery wins 1-0. They dominated for long stretches but just couldn't finish their many, many chances. Plus their GK made some great 1v1 saves. A Battery red card in about the 83' made for a nervous finish. They move on to the 3rd round next Wednesday when they host NASL opponent Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Blackbaud. The winner of that one will earn a date with an MLS club as they enter the fray in the 4th round.
Battery match report:
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/charleston-grinds-out-1-0-usoc-win/Stars took it on the chin 4-1, Charleston last SC team left standing in the Cup.
The Battery play the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL league (2nd division) tonight at 7:30 at Blackbaud stadium with the winner facing Orlando in the 4th round. Here's all you need to know about the match including a link to the streaming video. Also, one of the Strikers owners is Ronaldo (the Brazilian one, not the other one). Hoping he travels with the team and I'll maybe get an autograph.....I'm taking a sharpie just in case....
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/usoc-matchday-what-you-need-to-know/
After looking lost for most of the match, the Battery turn it around in the final 15' with 2 quick goals and pull out a dramatic 3-2 victory to move on to host MLS' Orlando City SC (with Kaka) in the next round on Wed, June 17.
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/battery-come-back-twice-for-3-2-cup-win/
Some highlights from last night's dramatic victory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO8Ckae_yzQAlso, side-note, the USL (3rd division) played 7 matches against the NASL (2nd division) last night and swept all 7. Goes to show that sometimes our US soccer pyramid is inverted!
USL certainly proved their mettle versus NASL last night!
Tickets on sale now for the Battery's 4th round matchup against Orlando City S.C. of MLS on Wednesday, June 17. Tix start at only $10 so pretty good price to see an MLS team that includes Brazilian former World Player of the year Kaká and US national teamer Brek Shea.
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/orlando-open-cup-match-tickets-on-sale/
Alas, the Battery's US Open Cup run is over but not before providing one of the most exciting games I've ever watched on any level. After a scoreless 57 minutes, the fireworks started with a total of 4 goals in the remaining minutes than another 4 in OT leading to a 10 round PK shootout. Who says soccer is a low scoring sport?
http://charlestonbattery.com/news/orlando-advances-in-10-round-shootout/Charlotte won its match against New England and remains the lone remaining non-MLS team in the Cup.