Meanwhile further south, United Soccer League Division One’s Charleston Battery reached its first ever Open Cup final by beating the Seattle Sounder on penalty kicks. The Battery hero was Dusty Hudock, who “literally saved the Battery’s chance at a national championship,” writes Andrew Miller.
Hudock, who has been with the Battery 10 years, made two saves during the shootout, including one in the fifth and final round on Kevin Forrest. “I just happened to guess right that time,” said Hudock modestly. He also made a diving save on a Sebastian LeToux kick. “The save on LeToux was probably more difficult and satisfying. I just guessed right on Forrest.”
The Battery used a “smothering defense,” writes Miller, to keep its opponents to just six shots on goal in the 120 minutes of open play. “We kept our shape for most of the game and didn’t really allow them very many scoring chances,” said defender Nelson Akwari. “We didn’t let them get behind us very often, and when we did, Dusty seemed to come up with a huge save. It was a great effort defensively from the top on down.”
The final against D.C. will be on September 3 at RFK Stadium.