In their twelfth match of the 2022 United Soccer League Championship Season, Loudoun United was held to a 1-1 draw by Charleston Battery.
Loudoun United FC hosted Charleston Battery at Segra Field on Saturday night. The match commenced with both sides looking for the early goal. The first chance of the night fell to Jacob Greene as the wingback cut the ball onto his left foot for a curling effort. The shot was well saved by goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky.
In the 30th minute, Charleston was caught by Loudoun United on the backfoot with a counterattack. With a bit of individual brilliance from Abdoul Zanne, the Ivorian found Skage Simonsen on the top of the 18-yard box for a right-footed shot. The shot was met with a diving stop from Charleston’s goalkeeper once again.
The teams traded blows after they exited the locker room for the second half in search of the all-important first goal of the match. In the 63rd minute, it was Charleston that found themselves one-on-one with Zamudio. The 6’3 goalkeeper, however, was up for the task as he threw out a strong left-hand effort to keep it a nil-nil game.
Just five minutes later, Charleston had the opportunity for a go-ahead goal from the penalty spot after a foul was given. Charleston’s forward, however, opened his hips and fired the shot well wide of the right post. What seemed to be a wake-up call, gave Loudoun a chance to pounce on the deflated visitors. Just minutes later, Jacob Greene combined with Skage Simonsen, who skillfully back heeled the ball into space. It was the debutant Alexander Dexter who continued his run into the box to finish the shot thunderously into the roof of the net.
The Charleston side began to put on the pressure for an equalizer after the goal. The high pressure led to tempers flaring as a harsh late tackle by Charleston’s Piggott was retaliated with a two-hand shove by Rio Hope-Gund, which ultimately led to a red card and reduced the home-side to 10-men.
In the 94th minute, Charleston was awarded a corner after a brilliant diving save from Luis Zamudio. The corner then resulted in a Fifa-like scramble inside the penalty box. It was the visitors who took advantage and found their equalizer from an unlikely hero, goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky. The goal was met with protests from the host side looking for a possible foul, but the game-tying goal was given in the 95th minute.
The Red-and-White are back home to face New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, June 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 P.M. ET at Segra Field.
Player Notes
- Alexander Dexter recorded his first professional goal in his professional debut for Loudoun United.
- Abdoul Zanne started his first match for Loudoun United FC.
- Skage Simonsen led the team with 4 shots on the night.
#LDNvCHS Notes
- This was the seventh time the two clubs have met in the USL Championship.
- Loudoun United is now 1-5-1 against Charleston Battery.
