FINAL ~ 2008 Lamar Hunt Open Cup ~ Charleston 4-3 Houston

Charleston shocked MLS champs in 2007 Open Cup

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.

Come on Houston, not a fan of the Battery...

Dynamo eager to atone for letdown

HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo are looking to do anything they can to make up for last year's trip to Blackbaud Stadium.

In the third round of the 2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Dynamo took their defending MLS Cup title to face the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division, but were stunned by a penalty kick goal in extra time by Stephen Armstrong.

Then-goalkeeper Zach Wells made a first save, but Armstrong jumped on the rebound and fired a shot into the back of the net in the 106th minute for the only goal the Battery would need.

That win against the Dynamo marked the fourth time Charleston posted a win against MLS competition. Despite the win over Houston, the Battery could not keep the magic going, losing to FC Dallas in the next round.

For the Dynamo, Tuesday's match does serve as a reminder that the Davids out there still want a chance to compete against the big boys. And as Houston found out last year, the little guy can still win when it gets good goalkeeping and even better defense.

While the Dynamo still want to advance to play the winner of Miami FC and FC Dallas, they still have to keep their eye on an important road match Thursday against Real Salt Lake.

Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear would not reveal who he would be playing or sitting against Charleston Tuesday, but he did say the No. 1 goal for his club is to get a win and advance in Open Cup play.

"We can't give it away, but I think you will see a different team than what you saw against Dallas (June 26)," Kinnear said. "Your eye is to try to win the game and do what you can to advance in the tournament. But I can promise you that we have an important game on Thursday, too. Asking guys to play two 90-minute games in two days with travel is going to be tough. That would be difficult for any team and we need to make sure we have an eye on both games and the way we address both games."

Kinnear wouldn't name names, but rookie Geoff Cameron said he would be playing against Charleston.

In 12 matches this season, four starts, Cameron has a goal and an assist on nine shots. He scored in the Dynamo's first home game against FC Dallas, tying things up in extra time.

There is no doubt many starters will rest, but Cameron said the goal is still the same.

"We are going down there for one reason; we are going down there for a win," Cameron said. "Hopefully we can do that and grab some momentum going into Thursday's game. We are going down there to win. Our goal is to go there, win and hopefully advance to the next round of the Open Cup."

Players like Cameron, Pat Ianni and Chris Wondolowski are likely candidates to get significant time in Houston's first Open Cup match.

And it is in these games, Cameron said, that players like him get a chance to impress coaches and teammates with good play in non-league competitions that matter.

"There are always opportunities in non-leagues for us younger players to show what we have," said Cameron. "But you still have to play the game like you know how and like how the team is coached. You have to work as hard as you can to make sure you play well and that you are doing what you can to get the team a win."

If the Dynamo win Tuesday, they will play on the road next Tuesday, July 8 against FC Dallas or Miami FC. Houston has lost two consecutive Open Cup matches after winning the first two against Carolina and the Hoops in 2006.

Charleston advance on PKs 4-3

Dynamo make early exit, again

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- For the second consecutive year, the Houston Dynamo came to the Lowcountry of South Carolina and started primarily a team of reserves, and for the second consecutive year it cost them an early exit from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

After Steve Wondolowski scored a last-gasp equalizer for Houston following a Marco Reda goal that had given the Charleston Battery a first-half lead, the nine-man USL First Division side hung on to a penalty shootout, which they won 4-3 to take the third round Open Cup match.

Charleston will take on the winner of the Dallas FC-Miami match next Tuesday night in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup.

Charleston dominated the possession and the play for most of the first half.

The Battery got the first quality scoring chance in the 22nd minute when defender John Wilson made a strong run down the field. Lazo Alavanja got the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and flicked it over to Wilson, who came storming down the middle of the field into the area. Wilson's shot, however, bounced off the side of the net.

Three minutes later Alavanja had another excellent scoring chance. Chris Williams served a ball into the box that Randi Patterson slid over to Alavanja, pivoted and blasted a shot on goal that Houston 'keeper Tony Caig stopped.

Charleston finally grabbed a 1-0 lead on Reda's header in the 31st minute off a set piece. After Houston defender Erik Ustruck grabbed the shirt of Charleston midfielder Stephen Armstrong, the Battery were awarded a free kick from about 30 yards out.

Charleston midfielder Osvaldo Alonso curled a ball into the box that midfielder Ian Fuller headed to Reda in the six-yard box. Reda easily beat Caig for the score.

The Dynamo came out in the second half much stronger, dominating the ball for the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Houston got their best chance to score in the 54th minute after a scramble inside the penalty area. The ball bounced around the box for several seconds with Houston striker Franco Caraccio ending up with possession. With Charleston 'keeper Dusty Hudock out of the net, Caraccio tried to chip the ball into the open goal, but Armstrong was there on the line to clear the ball.

The Battery had another glorious chance to score in the 68th minute off another set piece. Again it was Alonzo who curled a ball into the six-yard box and again it was Reda who got on the other end of the kick. Reda's half-volley, however, hit the top of the crossbar to end the threat.

The Battery were forced to play the final 16 minutes of regulation a man down after midfielder Chris Corcoran was given a red card for a hard tackle on Nick Hatzke.

Houston nearly tied the game in the 76th minute off a near own goal by the Battery. Houston defender Mike Chabala made a strong run into the Battery's penalty area. Chabala lost control of the ball as Kyle Brown took a shot that bounced off the back heel of Charleston defender John Wilson. Hudock was forced to make a diving save to end the threat.

The Dynamo tied the game just before the end of regulation time on Steve Wondolowski's header in the 89th minute. Chris Wondolowski served the ball into the six-yard box to Caraccio, who headed the ball to Steve Wondolowski. Wondolowski's header just beat Hudock for the score.

Reda was issued a red card in the 102nd minute, leaving the Battery with just nine players for the final 18 minutes of overtime.

Battery pound Dynamo in penalties

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- For the second straight year, the Houston Dynamo sent out a team of reserves to face the Charleston Battery in the U.S. Open Cup. And for the second straight year, the Dynamo left the Lowcountry of South Carolina with a defeat.

After playing to a 1-1 tie through 120 minutes, the match was forced to penalty kicks where the Battery defeated the Dynamo 4-3 in the shootout, in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night at Blackbaud Stadium. Steve Wondolowski scored for Houston in the final minute of regulation after Marco Reda scored for Charleston.

Charleston will take on FC Dallas, a 2-1 winner against Miami FC, next Tuesday at Pizza Hut Park in the quarterfinals.

With a MLS game scheduled for Thursday against Real Salt Lake, the Dynamo fielded a team that look nothing like the team that has won the last two MLS Cups. Star players like Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario and Ricardo Clark were all left back in Houston to rest up for their MLS Primetime Thursday match against Real Salt Lake.

"Let's be honest, there's always a possibility for a game like this to get into overtime," said Houston coach Dominic Kinnear. "So, you could be looking at 120 minutes for some guys and 90 minutes again on Thursday night. That plus a long travel day makes it tough and I think you put some players health at risk. Because of our game on Thursday, this is the way we approached it."

The Battery actually had more players with MLS experience than the Dynamo. Seven of Charleston's starters have MLS experience with defender Nelson Akwari having the most with 78 games.

A year ago, facing a Houston team with just a handful of starters, Charleston midfielder Stephen Armstrong sent the Dynamo home with his penalty kick in the 108th minute in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

This time it took a Herculean effort from the Battery, which played two men down for most of the second half and overtime periods, and a save from Charleston 'keeper Dusty Hudock to get the USL First Division Battery past the Dynamo.

"What a result, what a finish," said Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser. "You've got give all the credit in the world to the players. They left everything out on the field. We've got nothing left. The buried all four of our penalty kicks and got a fantastic result."

After more than 120 minutes of soccer, the game remained tied sending the match into penalty kicks. After the first two shooters from each team made their shots, Houston defender Geoff Cameron sailed his attempt over the crossbar. Then Darren Spicer and Tim Velton scored for the Battery, Hudock made a diving save on Franco Caraccio in the fifth round of the shootout to end the match.

"Honestly, I really don't have a strategy when it comes to penalty kicks," Hudock said. "I try to guess. Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I wrong. I try to get a read off of guys and that works sometimes. It's really kind of random. Honestly, I just try to keep the other team from scoring."

The win was all the more amazing as the Battery was forced to play the final 18 minutes two men down after midfielder Chris Corcoran received a red card in the 74th minute and Reda was ejected for his second yellow card in the 102nd minute.

Charleston grabbed a 1-0 lead on Reda's header in the 31st minute off a set piece. After Houston defender Erik Ustruck grabbed the shirt of Charleston midfielder Stephen Armstrong and the Battery was awarded a free kick from about 30 yards out. Alonso curled a ball into the box that midfielder Ian Fuller headed to Reda in the six-yard box. Reda easily beat Houston 'keeper Tony Caig for the score.

"Great ball into the box and Ian got his head on it and flicked it my way," said Reda, who played for Toronto FC last season. "I happened to be in the right place at the right time. The net was wide open. I couldn't have missed that one."

The Dynamo came out in the second half with a much stronger effort, dominating the ball for most of the final 45 minutes of regulation.

"We knew going into the match that we were going to have to match their attitude and fight and we didn't do that in the first half. We knew this was going to be a tough game," Kinnear said. "We just pointed out some things at halftime and let them understand there were some things we needed to do in the second half."

The Dynamo tied the game just before the end of regulation on Steve Wondolowski's header in the 89th minute. Chris Wondolowski served the ball into the six-yard box to Caraccio, who headed the ball to his right Steve Wondolowski. Wondolowski's header just beat Hudock for the score.

"The first half and second half were completely different for us," Kinnear said. "We came out with a totally different attitude in the second half. When we scored I thought we kind of relaxed for a minute. We went two men up and we couldn't get that clean look at the goal to get the game winner.