Charleston Battery News Release - www.charlestonbattery.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

MIAMI, FL -- The Charleston Battery defeated Miami FC Blues 1-0 Tuesday night at Tropical Park Stadium in the Second Round of the US Open Cup. Midfielder Tyler Hemming converted a second half penalty to propel Charleston into the Third Round where it will face Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA at Blackbaud Stadium on June 30.

“It was a fantastic team performance defensively on a very difficult pitch,” said head coach, Mike Anhaeuser. “We are very happy to be moving on in the tournament to face a strong MLS side in Chivas USA.”

Goalkeeper Dusty Hudock faced four shots but recorded only one save en-route to the shut-out; the Battery has yet to concede a goal in this year’s competition.

The Battery started brightly and came close in the 15th minute after Tyler Hemming found space thirty yards out. Hemming fired a shot at the goal but his attempt sailed wide.

In the 21st minute defender Matt Bobo came close after Hemming whipped in a corner from the left side. Bobo attacked the cross but his chance fizzed wide

Miami fought back and striker Diego Serna just missed from the edge of the box in the 35th minute. After receiving the ball Serna spun and fired but his shot flew just wide of the Battery goal.

In the 52nd minute Miami midfielder Edwin Miranda received the ball twenty yards out. Miranda fired a shot that missed wide right.

The Battery scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute after substitute midfielder Chris Williams was brought down in the box by Miami defender Cristiano Dias. The referee awarded Charleston a penalty-kick that Tyler Hemming converted with a right-footed shot.

The Battery returns to USL1 action Thursday night with an 8 PM match versus the Puerto Rico Islanders (Sports Radio 1450 AM / USLLive.com).

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The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation’s National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest annual team tournament in U.S. sports history and among the oldest soccer tournaments of its type in the world. In 1999, the competition was renamed to honor long-time soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.

At stake in the tournament is $180,000 in prize money broken down as follows: $100,000 to the champion, $50,000 to the runner up and $10,000 to the team that advances deepest into the tournament from each of the Division II, Division III and amateur levels. The winner of the U.S. Open Cup also receives an automatic berth into the CONCACAF Champions League.