August 18, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release
LOUISVILLE, KY – The Charleston Battery fell 3-1 to Louisville City FC on Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium. Charleston created a good number of chances but were unable to capitalize on them enough to salvage a result in Kentucky. Graham Smith’s late tally represented the Battery’s lone goal of the night.
The top-of-the-table clash started with both sides eager to get out to an early lead. Arturo Rodriguez almost opened the scoring in the 6th minute but his curler from the edge of the box was narrowly wide. The Battery held roughly 70% of possession through the opening 15 minutes.
Louisville managed to take the lead in the 17th minute when Aiden McFadden scored off a corner kick.
Charleston remained steadfast looking to find their first goal of the night despite the 1-0 deficit. The Battery had a well-worked counterattack in the 29th minute led by Juan David Torres, Nick Markanich and Rodriguez, but Markanich’s shot from inside the box was saved by goalkeeper Damian Las.
The hosts took the 1-0 lead into the break. Charleston held over 60% of possession but were unable to make meaningful progress against Louisville’s press and were outshot 10 to four.
The Battery came out of the break looking to level the score as Torres and Markanich led much of the pressure up top. Torres sent in a thundering shot in the 57th minute from inside the box on target, however it was saved by Las.
Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis came up big with a diving save in the 68th minute on a shot by Taylor Davila.
Torres and Markanich connected in the 69th minute with a long ball from the Colombian to the forward in the box, but Markanich’s shot went wide of the frame.
The hosts added a second goal in the 82nd minute via Jansen Wilson off a counterattack. Louisville made the score 3-0 moments later when Phillip Goodrum scored in the 86th minute.
A notable moment for the Battery came in the 83rd minute when defender Samuel Biek came off the bench to make his Charleston debut.
Continuing to push until the final whistle, Graham Smith pulled a goal back for the Battery in the 92nd minute to make the score 3-1, nullifying Louisville’s bid for a clean sheet. Louisville failed to properly clear the ball from their end and Smith came forward to deliver a blistering strike to the back of the net. The goal was Smith’s second of the year.
It ended up being too little too late for Charleston has they’d fall 3-1 to the hosts.
The…