Depelted reserves tie Battery, 1:1
April 18, 2014 (Official Game Summary)
With a constant downpour the entire game, the Charleston Battery were able to withstand the rain and preserve a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls reserves on Friday night at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Battery dominated the chances in the first half of play in the wet conditions. In the 23rd minute forward Dane Kelly pressured New York defender Kevin Politz into a turnover just outside of their goal box. After collecting the turnover, Kelly sprinted toward the goal and had his shot blocked by Red Bulls keeper Ryan Meara. The ball ricocheted onto the foot of Battery forward Mamadou Diouf, whose shot was blocked and cleared quickly by New York.
Late in the half, Kelly was able to intercept a pass about 30 yards away from the goal. Kelly stopped immediately and fired a shot on target that was bobbled and then controlled by Meara in front of the goal.
The second half started slowly but the 66th minute saw the excitement of the match surge when Zach Prince was called for a foul in the box and the Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick. After some protest from Charleston, Red Bulls midfielder Michael Bustamante stepped up and calmly buried the ball in the back of the net.
The Battery were able to answer and tie the game in the 73rd minute. Prince played a through ball from just inside the Charleston defensive half and forward Haviel Cordoves tracked it down deep in their attacking zone. Cordoves quickly fired a low cross in front of the goal mouth and Dane Kelly slid in to knock the ball home.
In a very physical match, tensions boiled over in the 76th minute and, after a brief scuffle between the two teams, Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara was sent off after receiving two yellow cards during the incident. Red Bulls midfielder Michael Bustamante and Battery defender Colin Falvey were also given yellow cards for their involvement in the incident. Falvey would pick up a second yellow in the 89th minute and was also sent off.
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