Patterson scores twice to lead Battery over Toronto.
By: Andrew Miller (The Post & Courier).[/size]
If you haven't seen Charleston Battery striker Randi Patterson play this season, you might want to get out to Blackbaud Stadium pretty soon.
If Patterson has another performance like the one he had Saturday night against Toronto FC, the former UNC Greensboro All-American might not be in a Battery uniform for long.
Patterson had two goals and Dusty Hudock made four saves as the Battery blanked Toronto FC 2-0 in the final night of the Carolina Challenge Cup before a crowd of about 3,500 at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Battery finished the week-long round robin tournament against Major League Soccer opponents with a 1-1-1 mark.
San Jose wrapped up the tournament title Wednesday night after victories over Charleston (2-0) and Toronto FC (1-0) last weekend. It was the second Carolina Challenge Cup title for the Earthquakes, who captured the event in 2005.
The Trinidad and Tobago striker, who played for the New York Red Bulls last season, is hoping to get another shot to play in the MLS.
"I always have something to prove when I step on the field," Patterson said. "I just want to make it to the next level. I'm just trying to score some goals and do my job. Hopefully someone out there notices me. But right now, I'm happy to be here and I'll do my job as best I can."
For now, Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser is just pleased to have Patterson in a Battery uniform.
"Randi is a goal scorer and that was his forte even in college," Anhaeuser said. "Randi could get signed by an MLS team any day, so you can't worry about it. That's why we're trying to build some depth. Hopefully, he's getting on track and the team is getting on track, and we can keep that rolling into the regular season.
"We have to take it one step at a time. We've still got three weeks left before the regular season. We have to keep building on this."
Toronto FC had the first real scoring chance in the 17th minute. Striker Jeff Cunningham, who has 96 career goals in the MLS, got the ball just outside the 18-yard box, dribbled to his left and got around Marco Reda. Hudock came storming off his line for the challenge and made a diving save to stop Cunningham's shot attempt.
The Battery took a 1-0 lead on Patterson's goal in the 38th minute. Midfielder Alonso Osualdo got the ball on the right side about 35 yards out and served a ball into the 18-yard box. Patterson got just enough of Osualdo's pass to knock it past Toronto FC keeper Brian Edwards for the score.
Patterson gave the Battery a 2-0 lead with his header in the 50th minute. Midfielder Darren Spicer got the ball on the right side and served a beautiful ball into the 6-yard box. Patterson's diving header beat Edwards on the left side for the score.
TFC leaves Carolina on losing note.
Toronto FC Media Relations.
Toronto FC closed out their second annual trip to the Carolina Challenge Cup with a 2-0 loss to the host Charleston Battery finishing the tournament with a record of 0-2-1.
Charleston, who open their USL 1st Division season on April 19th were enjoying most of the pressure early on, but Toronto had the first real chance in the 17th minute when Collin Samuel hit Jeff Cunningham with a pass up the left side, Cunningham took a shot from the awkward angle and Battery keeper Dusty Hudock made a great one handed save to keep things scoreless.
The first goal of the match though would be scored by the home side in an odd play. The ball was served into the area by Osvaldo Alonso, Mike Richardson got a touch on it - and somehow keeper Brian Edwards would end up standing by as the ball rolled over the line near the far post. Charleston had the lead after the 38th minute, and there would be no more scoring to end the first 45.
Second half no changes on the field for TFC, and in the 49th minute Edwards was called into action as Randi Patterson, zeroed in on goal and took aim from the left hand side that was nicely saved by the rookie. Patterson was drafted by the Red Bulls in 2007 but was later waived by the team in February of this year. Not long after that chance, Patterson would double the home side's lead in the 50th. Darren Spicer played in a great cross from the right side and it was a great goal on a diving header by Patterson that found the back of the net past Edwards. Patterson perhaps trying to prove a point with Red Bull management who were in the crowd watching the game as he almost came up with the hat trick 3 minutes later - but Edwards was there to make a great diving stop.
TFC under a flurry of pressure from the home side - and unfortunately had a goal called back in the 57th as Joey Melo played a nice little chip up to Cunningham who looped it over the keeper - but it was called for offside.
Late stages, both Marco Velez, and Pat Phelan produced headers that just flew over the top of the goal providing an opportunity to pull one back - however it wasn't to be as the Battery prevailed for the 2-0 victory.
This game marks the final preseason contest for Toronto as they kick off the 2008 MLS Regular season next Saturday, March 29 in Columbus to take on the Crew.
Toronto midfielder Carl Robinson was absent from tonight's game, as he was back home in Wales attending to personal matters.
The second game of the evening to wrap up the tournament featured the San Jose Earthquakes, and New York Red Bulls. Even before either of these two games kicked off Saturday night, the expansion Earthquakes were already crowned champions of the Carolina Challenge Cup having won their previous two games for a total of 6 points. The Earthquakes previously won the Cup in 2005 before the team was relocated to Houston.
Toronto returns home Sunday after a long stint on the road and will be off Monday before resuming training on Tuesday at BMO Field. A schedule of media availability will go out on Monday.
Scoring Summary:
CHL: Randi Patterson (Osvaldo Alonso) 38'
CHL: Randi Patterson (Darren Spicer) 50'
Toronto FC Line up: - Brian Edwards, Marco Velez, Tyrone Marshall, Pat Phelan, Jim Brennan, Martin Brittain (Jarrod Smith 67), Joey Melo (Todd Dunivant 67, Gabe Gala 89), Kevin Harmse, Collin Samuel, Jeff Cunningham (Danny Dichio 77), Kevin Gall.
Charleston Battery Line up: - Dusty Hudock, Tim Veltan, Marco Reda, John Wilson, Nelson Akwari, Darren Spicer, Osvaldo Alonso, Pato Aguilera, Mike Richardson, Lester More (Aaron King 59), Randi Patterson (Kendall Jagdeosingh 84).
