CHARLESTON BATTERY (USL1) vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Tues., July 1, Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, S.C., 7:30 p.m. ET
It's a rematch of one of the giant-killing feats of a year ago when the Charleston Battery meet the Houston Dynamo at Blackbaud Stadium. The Battery claimed a 1-0 victory over the defending - and eventual - MLS champions last season.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
IN THE OPEN CUP: In their first season in Houston, the Dynamo reached the semifinals before going down to defeat. They began their Open Cup history with a 4-2 win against PDL side Carolina Dynamo, then continued their dominance over in-state rival FC Dallas with a 3-0 win in Houston in the fourth round, before losing 3-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the semifinals.
LAST YEAR: The Dynamo crashed at the first hurdle when a long league unbeaten streak came to an end in a 1-0 loss in extra time to the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium. Stephen Armstrong's rebound from a penalty kick - that was first saved by Zach Wells - in the 106th minute gave the Battery yet another giant-killing feat in the Low Country.
DYNAMO: Zach Wells, Pat Ianni, Ryan Cochrane (Stuart Holden 33 / Nate Jaqua 62 / Brian Mullan 102), Mike Chabala, John Michael Hayden, Nick Hatzke, Mpho Moloi, Corey Ashe (Eddie Robinson 66), Erik Ustruck, Paul Dalglish, Chris Wondolowski.
CHARLESTON: Dusty Hudock, Tim Karalexis, Chris Gores, Louie Rolko, Lazo Alavanja, Gordon Chin, Stephen Armstrong, Mike Richardson (Luke Vercollone 46), Jordan Hughes (Aaron King 70), Michael Todd (Ian Bennett 46).
CHARLESTON BATTERY
IN THE OPEN CUP: Another club with a real giant-killing reputation in the Open Cup, the tie is a reprise of a year ago, when the Battery defeated the Dynamo 1-0 at Blackbaud Stadium in the third round, the lone goal coming from a penalty kick .... The Battery had defeated Central Florida Kraze and El Paso Patriots (both PDL) to reach the third round, before losing to FC Dallas 2-1 in extra time in the quarterfinals. ... It was the fourth time the Battery had defeated MLS competition. En route to a semifinal loss to Colorado in 1999, Charleston defeated D.C. United 4-3 in extra time in the third round. ... The Battery also twice defeated the MetroStars, 4-1 in the second round in 2001, and 1-0 in the fourth round in 2004.
THIS YEAR: The Battery cruised to victory in the first round as a first-half hat trick from Darren Spicer (19, 27, 43) helped them see off USASA competition in the ASC New Stars (Aria Soccer Club, from south Texas) with a 3-0 victory. ... In the second round against USL-2 Charlotte Eagles, Spicer's 12th-minute goal put the home side into the lead. Charlotte midfielder Jorge Herrera leveled terms in the 67th, only to see Charleston claim victory with a final minute penalty kick converted by Osvaldo Alonso.
FORM GUIDE: The Charleston Battery are currently on top of the USL First Division with 24 points from 13 matches, one ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps (who have a game in hand). ... The Battery are coming off a 3-1 home win against the Rochester Rhinos at the weekend. ... The Battery have the league's most potent attack, with 19 goals scored on the season ... Randi Patterson is tied for the USL1 lead with seven goals on the season; Aaron King has four, tied for fifth in the league. ... Chris Evans and Michael Richardson have three assists each, tied for third in USL1.
