While on paper and on the pitch the Battery outplayed their foes from Cincinnati, it was FCC defender Blake Smith who scored the match’s only goal in the 18th minute to do what FC Cincinnati has not been able to do in their short history with the Battery: beat the Battery.

In their brief history, the Battery had remained undefeated against FCC with a 3–0–2 all time record, but that record now stands at 3–1–2 after Saturday night’s defeat.

Charleston fans feared it would be ex-Battery defender Forrest Lasso, who signed with FCC in the offseason, scoring off a set-piece that made him opposing teams’ nightmare in 2017. Lasso did have several opportunities, but 6'5" Battery center back Skylar Thomas effectively shut down that option.

The Battery had several chances on the night to put the ball into the back of the goal.

In the 38th minute, Battery midfielder Kotaro Higashi served up forward Ian Svantesson who got the ball through the legs of FCC defender Lasso, but it was cleared out by FCC keeper Evan Newton.

In the 39th minute, the Battery had their best chance to score as Battery defender Quinton Griffith sent a long cross to Higashi, who was to the right of the penalty spot and sent a rocket towards the goal. Once again, it was Newton making a diving fully extended leap to his right and able to get his finger tips on it, altering Higashi’s rocket just wide.

Battery forward Ian Svantesson skies for a header. (Photo Credit: Ross Almers Photography)

In the 66th minute, Battery midfielder Nico Rittmeyer, charging up the right side, sent a long cross into the left side of the box to a leaping 6'6" Svantesson, only to have his header deflected by Newton yet again.

The Battery’s last chance to salvage a draw was in the 87th minute, when Battery forward Ataulla Guerra passed it back to Battery forward Patrick Okonkwo, whose initial shot was deflected off the back of a sliding Lasso. Okonkwo then recovered the deflection and sent a blistering shot at the goal, only to be thwarted by Newton once again.

Three who mattered

FCC Keeper Evan Newton

The Battery had 24 shots, 11 of those inside the box, and 5 of those on target. Newton was able to stop everything the Battery doled out to record the clean sheet. FC Cincinnati fans agreed as well, voting him their Man of the Match.

Kotaro Higashi

His game keeps getting better and better. With a 87.9% pass success rate, Higashi sliced his way through FCC’s midfield and defense all night long, making the passes the Battery needed and creating the chances to score. His 39th minute rocket from the penalty spot was the Battery’s best chance to draw even with FCC.

Battery midfielder Kotaro Higashi (Photo Credit: Ross Almers Photography)

Referee Elvis Osmanovic

We all know the officiating can be trying at best, however Osmanovic blew several crucial calls throughout the match against both teams. His inability to control the match allowed FCC to squeeze precious time off the clock with injuries and player substitutions who literally half stepped off the pitch. All of this resulted in a seven minute stoppage time at the end of the second half during which he issued 3 yellow cards and 1 red card.

Post Game Interview

Battery veteran defender and Team Captain Taylor Mueller commented in the post game interview about this thoughts on the game:

“First ten, fifteen minutes, I think maybe there were a few nerves… the final twenty or 25 minutes of the first half we kept the ball, moved it really well, and created a lot of chances. Sometimes you have to have luck on your side, and tonight it just didn’t seem like it was happening for us.”

What’s Next for Each Team

The Battery go into next week preparing to host Penn FC (the club formerly known as the Harrisburg City Islanders) on Saturday, March 24th at home at 7:00 pm. Battery defender Neveal Hackshaw has been called up for international duty with Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly versus Martinique.

FC Cincinnati travel back to Ohio for a week off, then go back on the road to play Indy Eleven, March 31st at 7:00 pm.

Box score

Charleston Battery — 0

FC Cincinnati — 1

Goals

FC Cincinnati — Smith, 18'

Historical Record (Results are for Charleston)

2018 (USL)

0–1 (Loss at home)

2017 (USL)

2–2 (Draw away)

2–1 (Win at home)

2016 (USL)

2–1 (Win away) USL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

1–1 (Draw away)

1–0 (Win at home)