When you are playing in a “win and move on” or “lose and go home” scenario, all that matters is the scoreboard. On Wednesday evening, the Battery came out with their top lineup and were ready to play. However, it would take an own-goal gift from the Jacksonville Armada for Charleston to secure a spot in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup and a date with their MLS affiliate partner, Atlanta United.

Wednesday night was not the Battery’s best performance of 2017. In fact, I would not even put it in the top ten. But on the road to a championship, you have to find a way to win on the days you are missing that final touch. Charleston did that on Wednesday, and even though Jacksonville held more possession and had the “better” chances, the Armada are out of the cup and the Battery are one step closer to returning to the US Open Cup Final… and finally exorcising the demons of 2008.

The Game

Earlier in the day, I wondered who would be in the starting 11 for the Battery. I was hoping to see Williams and Guerra up front with Woodbine and Q on the back flanks, but I was not sure if the Battery were going to play younger players like they did against the Silverbacks.

Many clubs prefer not to put too much into the US Open Cup. They tend to use it as a chance to get some playing time for their fringe and youth players. However, the Battery did not do that in their 3rd round matchup.

They came with the big guns.

The only problem was Jacksonville came to play too. When a shot at playing an MLS club is on the line these days, everyone brings their A game. So, in response, the Battery sat in at times on the road, absorbing the pressure of the Armada and spending most of the night on the counter attack.

In the past, this is exactly what I would expect to see when the Battery are on the road… but 2017 has been different. Every match this season, with the exception of the opener at Charlotte, has seen the Battery come out swinging and staying on the front foot almost all game. That may be why that final touch was off a little this time, and without a huge mistake made by Armada defender Drew Beckie in the 25th minute, Charleston may have lost.

After the own-goal was scored, Jacksonville started to turn up the pressure. The major issue there was that they started to show how the pressure was getting to them. They were constantly frustrated with the ref and had difficulty keeping their composure when faced with the typically physical play of the Battery.

In the end, Super Cooper and the backline of Woodbine, Mueller, Lasso and Q held strong and the Battery moved onto the 4th round of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup.

Moyer’s MOTM

Super Romario Williams

Even though he did not find the score sheet, his hold up play and physical pressure in the final third kept the pressure on the backline of the Armada and frustrated their centerbacks all night long. Every time you thought the ball was going out or the defender would pick that up, Williams flashed in and made you remember how good he really is. Williams does more than just score goals. He changes the way teams defend the Battery and always plays a major part in the outcome of the match.

Revenge Is Nice

Last year, the Armada knocked the Battery out of the U.S. Open Cup, so I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little extra excited to defeat them this year. And throw in the fact that this was a USL-NASL matchup, and the other big Carolina USL-NASL matchup went the other way… this was a fun night.

Up Next

The Battery return home after a 5 game road trip (2 USOC, 3 USL) that saw them win 3, draw 1 and lose 1. Charleston is really looking forward to enjoying some home cooking on game day when they take on Louisville City.

Then, their focus returns to the U.S. Open Cup and their much anticipated match up with Atlanta United. This will be the first time the two clubs meet in a competitive match. They did play in the Carolina Challenge Cup, a preseason tournament Charleston hosts, but this time a spot in the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 will be on the line. It will be interesting to see who Atlanta United puts on the field.

We will have a full preview and a look into the USL/MLS affiliation partnership between Charleston and Atlanta next week.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to check back for more articles about the Charleston Battery, make sure you read about our efforts to chronicle 25 years of supporting the Battery, and of course, follow @SoccerNSweetTeaon Twitter for all the latest Carolina soccer news.