The Charleston Battery won the first match up between regional rivals the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-1 on a golden goal from Justin Evans on Friday, 21 June. It's a good thing too, because after a dismal loss by England, then the U.S. going out of the World Cup in a match they could have won, I don't think I could have stomached a third loss on the day.
In what was my first match of the 2002 season, it didn't take long for the Boys from the 'Baud to start knocking on Atlanta's door. In the first 15 minutes, shots by Anderson from 25 yards out and Rudi Dixon heading over a the cross bar from a corner threatened the 'Backs keeper. Shortly after Carl Parra tries to go up against Battery defender Mark Watson for a head ball. A couple minutes latter Parra is supporting a head bandage ala "The Spirit of '76."
In the 20 minute, midfielder Morgan Zeba sent another one just over the top of keeper Cole Burgman and the crossbar. And in the 30 minute, Paul Conway suddenly appears in front of the goal. Unfortunately the ball sails just over the cross bar again.
Atlanta's first real strike at goal was from former Charleston Battery alumni, Velko Iotov. Now sporting bleached hair tips, he had a nice clean strike that was stopped by Dusty Hudock in the 37 minute.
It's also refreshing to see another former Battery favorite, Brian Peisner, still has his jets down the sidelines although I wish they weren't working against us.
Conway misses another strike on goal with a header that is saved in the 42nd minute. And Hudock saved a near certain goal after Jon Akin beat the offside trap in the 45th minute, keeping the score line nil-nil going into halftime.
I miss the first seven minutes of the second half because I'm catching up on old times with the guys (and girls) at the Regiment table. But I return to see a strike sail over the cross bar of Atlanta's goal.
Then while chasing my youngest daughter at the north end playground I turn to see a scramble in the Battery's goalmouth and then see a Silverback running toward the center circle with his hands in the air. Goal against the run of most the play to the Silverbacks in the 59th minute.
The Battery then took control for the next 15 minutes or so of the match and were rewarded in the 71st minute with a header from Justin Evans off a corner kick making the score 1-1. Mac Cozier had another header on target in the 72nd minute but nothing came of it.
In the 75th minute Atlanta made another nice break, but was parried with an equally nice full-stretch save from Hudock.
The game then became a battle between the two contenders for the league championship. Dixon took a boot to the side and then Atlanta defender Brian Mitchell received a yellow card around the 87th minute.
In the last play of regular time, the 'Backs keeper tipped the ball over the top of his cross bar to take the match in to overtime. 1-1 at the end of regular time.
Collin Phillips comes on for Rudi Dixon at the break and the game continues at the same pace it ends with. And in similar chippy fashion Silverback Jason Annicchero earns himself a yellow.
Raul Diaz Arce comes on for Mac Cozier in the 5th minute of extra time but doesn't quite get into the game as Justin Evans scores his second goal of the night with another header in the 9th minute of extra time, giving the Battery a well deserved victory and me a little sense of joy after watching my teams go out of the World Cup.
