DANIEL ISLAND, SC (May 29, 2012) – Goals from Kenny Cooper, Heath Pearce and Connor Lade helped give the New York Red Bulls a 3-0 win over USL PRO side, the Charleston Battery, in the Third Round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tuesday evening at Blackbaud Stadium. The Red Bulls advanced to the Fourth Round, where they will visit the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL PRO) on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Battery tried to challenge New York’s defense immediately and in the first minute, Tony Donatelli ripped a long-range effort that was held by goalkeeper Ryan Meara. Twelve minutes later, Colin Falvey got on the end of a Jose Cuevas free kick delivery at the back post and headed it into Meara’s arms.
New York took the lead in the 14th minute through its leading scorer Cooper. Mehdi Ballouchy passed the ball into the box to Cooper, who was able to brush off his defender before turning and ripping a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The visitors looked to double their advantage soon after as Jan Gunnar Solli’s deflected shot was held by goalkeeper Brock Duckworth and Jhonny Arteaga’s blast zipped past the right post. On the other end, another Cuevas free kick fell dangerously towards the back post and eluded the players in the penalty box. Falvey knocked on the door again, forcing Meara to tip over his header off a corner kick in the 33rd minute.
Despite pressure from the hosts, New York made the score 2-0 with four minutes left in the half. Ballouchy cut a corner kick to the top of the box back to Dax McCarty. McCarty chipped it towards the left post and Pearce was there to volley it home for his first goal as a Red Bull.
Battery forward Sallieu Bundu had a pair of opportunities cut Charleston’s deficit to one, but both of his attempts were saved by Meara. On the other end, Ballouchy tried to make it 3-0, ripping it on frame and forcing a block by Duckworth.
Lade wrapped up the result for New York with 20 minutes to play with a spectacular effort. The rookie was fed the ball by Solli and from 27-yards-out, curled it into the top right corner of the net.
New York’s next regular season match is on June 17, as they battle the Chicago Fire at TOYOTA Park at 5:00 PM (TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: WLIB 1190 AM). For tickets to Red Bulls matches, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
New York Red Bulls 3, Charleston Battery 0
May 29, 2012 – Blackbaud Stadium – Daniel Island, SC
2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round
New York Advances to the Fourth Round
Scoring Summary:
NY: Kenny Cooper 1 (Mehdi Ballouchy 1) 14’
NY: Heath Pearce 1 (Dax McCarty 1, Mehdi Ballouchy2) 41’
NY: Connor Lade 1 (Jan Gunnar Solli 1) 70’
Disciplinary Summary:
CHAR: Amadou Sanyang (caution) 65’
New York Red Bulls – Ryan Meara (GK), Brandon Barklage (Jonathan Borrajo 77’), Markus Holgersson, Wilman Conde, Heath Pearce, Jan Gunnar Solli (Victor Palsson 74’), Dax McCarty (Ryan Maduro 88’), Mehdi Ballouchy, Connor Lade, Jhonny Arteaga, Kenny Cooper
Substitutes Not Used: Jeremy Vuolo, Tyler Ruthven, Stephen Keel
Charleston Battery – Brock Duckworth, John Wilson, Colin Falvey, Taylor Mueller (Dane Kelly 67’), Kyle Hoffer, Amadou Sanyang, Tony Donatelli (Ryan Richter 71’), Jose Cuevas, Nicki Paterson (Zach Prince 81’), Navion Boyd, Sallieu Bundu
Substitutes Not Used: Joe Wichmann, Cody Ellison, Sean Flatley, J.C. Mack
