CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery grabbed a stoppage-time goal by Kotaro Higashi take a 1-1 draw with defending MLS Cup champions Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday night in the opening day of action at the 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup at MUSC Health Stadium.

Higashi’s goal arrived with almost the final kick of the game as the Battery pressed for a late equalizer after the Sounders had taken the lead just past the half-hour mark on an own goal by Charleston’s Taylor Mueller. After a low shot from the right of the penalty area came back off the post, the ball came to Higashi centrally, and he roofed a shot into the net to send the Battery bench into celebrations.

Both Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris made the start for the Sounders, and Dempsey chanced an effort from 25 yards that went high in the ninth minute. The hosts also had some chances of their own, including an effort by Dante Marini that went just over the crossbar in the 21st minute, while Forrest Lasso had a header go over the crossbar as well eight minutes later.

Seattle took the lead in the 32nd minute, though, as a cross by Joevin Jones was diverted into his own net by Mueller. Alvaro Fernandez was then denied by Battery goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper as Charleston kept it a one-goal game at the halftime break, and Fernandez hit the woodwork in the 66th minute as Seattle looked for a second.

Henry Wingo also had a goal disallowed for the Sounders in the 75th minute after Will Bruin was ruled offside on a give-and-go with the rookie. The lack of a second goal left the door open for the hosts, and the Battery duly took the opportunity to earn a draw with Higashi’s last-gasp effort.