For the 13th consecutive year, the Charleston Battery won their first match in U.S. Open Cup play and advance to the next round, this year beating South Georgia Tormenta FC, 1–0 on Wednesday night. The win extends the Battery’s winning streak to five in a row in all competitions after defeating Bethlehem Steel FC at home this past Saturday.

The Battery started in a 3–4–1–2 formation, giving veteran keeper Odisnel “Super” Cooper the start, as well as Ryan Arambula and Angelo Kelly. Swedish Ian Svantesson and Patrick Okonkwo drove Coach Mike Anhaeuser’s offense up front on a humid Carolina evening.

The Battery played defensively, focusing on holding a physically aggressive Tormenta FC in the beginning of the first half. Head referee David Erbacher was on his whistle consistently stopping play. Each side lost any momentum as play started and stopped over and over.

In the 21st minute, the Battery scored the match’s only goal in dramatic fashion. Patrick Okonkwo, on loan from Atlanta United, opened his Battery scoring account with his first professional goal, playing a cross from Victor Mansaray off his head and putting the Battery up for the rest of the match.

In the 63rd minute, Nico Rittmeyer, already shown a yellow card in the 48' for a questionable tackle, was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Having to play a man down for the remaining 27 minutes, the Battery then substituted out Okonkwo and Vincenzo Candela for Tah Brian Anunga and Kotaro Higashi to better control possession and manage the tempo.

The Battery frustrated Tormenta the remainder of the match, and that frustration caught up with them in the 87th minute. Tormenta midfielder Nils Vinyals was overly aggressive on his challenge to Higashi and also saw his second yellow of the night, sent off for the remainder of the match.

With an additional three minutes of stoppage time added on at 90', the 10-men Tormenta squad failed to mount an attack and fell short at the final whistle.

When asked about tonight’s performance, Coach Anhaeuser had this to say:

“The key is win and move on…We were unfortunate to get the red card there, but the guys defended well. I don’t think we gave up a shot which is fantastic for our defense.”

In Defense of Charleston

Patrick Okonkwo: Okonkwo not only opened his Battery scoring account, but he scored his first professional goal. His header put the Battery up 1–0 and sent them into the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup. Player of the match.

Up next

MUSC Health Stadium will host a double header this Saturday, May 19th.

The Charleston Fleet of the WPSL have their season opener and kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm against Asheville City SC. Former Battery defender Colin Falvey and the Ottawa Fury continue the Battery’s USL slate with a 7 p.m. kickoff. One ticket earns you admission to both matches.

The Battery then host the Third Round of U.S. Open Cup play the following Wednesday. Elm City Express of the NPSL will make the trek down from the northeast to Charleston. The match is tentatively scheduled for May 23rd with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Tickets for that match will start at $7 and go on sale beginning today. Season ticket holders will receive complimentary tickets to the Third Round as part of their season ticket holder package.

Box score

Charleston Battery — 1

South Georgia Tormenta FC — 0

Goals

21' — Charleston — Patrick Okonkwo (assist: Victor Mansaray)

UP THE BATTERY!