Charleston Battery vs Louisville City FC, 2016 USL Season: Final Score 1-1, Controversial late goal saves a draw for the Battery

It was a tale of two halves at Louisville Slugger Stadium Saturday as the Charleston Battery clawed their way to a 1-1 draw against top of the table Louisville City FC.

The Battery out played Louisville physically throughout the opening, with the home team lacking quality in possession, struggling just to keep the ball in play.

Careless play by Louisville coupled by a lockdown defensive performance early by the Battery led to a number of chances off the counter, but Charleston failed to take advantage.

The second half saw Louisville flip the script on the visitors, with the home side finding thier groove in the attacking third and cranking up the pressure on the Battery backline.

In the 62nd minute Louisville would draw first blood off an unfortunate own goal by Charleston defender Taylor Mueller. Louisville’s Cameron Lancaster took the ball from outside the right of the penalty area and skipped a cross intended for Chandler Hoffman. The ball would instead deflect of the shin of Mueller and into the back of the net to give Louisville the 1-0 lead.

Despite spending the majority of the second half with their backs against the ropes the Battery managed to work thier way way back into the match with Coach Anhaeuser calling both Chris Tsonis and Romario Williams to provide some fresh legs in the attack.

The change would pay off big in the 84th as a controversial goal by Tsonis would put Charleston back on level terms.

Quinton Griffith would pick up a short free kick by Portillo, and play a beautiful cross from way out on the right flank. It appeared as though the Louisville Keeper would come up with the ball, but the ball would drop from his hands to the sure feet of Chris Tsonis who buried the equalizing goal.

The goal would a rain of boos and jeers from the Louisville supporters and bench, who believed Tsonis had knocked the ball from the hands of the keeper, but regardless the goal would stand giving Charleston a crucial point on the road.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

QUINTON “Q” GRIFFITH

The Battery RB was flying all over the pitch coming up with big plays in both the attacking and defending thirds, but most importantly the 24-year-old Antigua and Barbuda international would pick up the game winning assist off the long cross to Tsonis.

KEY TAKE AWAYS

PHYSICAL GAME

The Battery looked tough physically especially in the first half, totally out muscling Louisville.

ATTACK STILL LACKING

Other than the equalizer the Battery still lacked the ability to finish, despite having a number of quality chances.

UP NEXT:

HOME vs OCB Wednesday 7/13 730 p.m