apparently with his face -- to keep the game scoreless.
Ring again had to come up big in the first overtime session, turning away Battery midfielder Steve Klein's header from a corner four minutes in.
The Fire's luck at finishing was no better than the Battery's in the first overtime. Ralph, looking for his second game-winning goal of the Fire's 2004 Open Cup campaign, was stoned at the near post by Charleston 'keeper Chris Doyle, who replaced Hudock in the 78th minute.
It was a different story in the second period of overtime, however, as a familiar pairing combined to send the Fire to the final. Perez served in a cross from the left and Selolwane, who replaced Nate Jaqua in the second half of regulation play, nodded the ball down and into the goal from eight yards out.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
Charleston Battery vs. Chicago Fire
Aug. 25, 2004 -- Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium - Naperville, Ill.
Scoring Summary:
CHI -- Dipsy Selolwane (Orlando Perez) 107
Charleston Battery -- Dusty Hudock (Chris Doyle 78), Steve Klein, Mark Watson, Rick Titus, Jason Kutney, Justin Evans, Kevin Jackson, Gabe Valencia, Ted Chronopoulos (Chris Goos 86), Greg Simmonds (Paul Conway 90), Jesus Martinez.
Substitutes Not Used: Nick Downing, Nigel Henry, Henrik Jensen, Josh Smith.
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Greg Simmonds 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 6 (6 tied with 1); FOULS: 17 (Greg Simmonds 4); OFFSIDES: 11 (Greg Simmonds 6); CORNER KICKS: 4 (Ted Chronopoulos 2); SAVES: 9 (Dusty Hudock 6)
Chicago Fire -- Henry Ring, Evan Whitfield (Craig Capano 107), C.J. Brown, Jim Curtin, Orlando Perez, Andy Williams, Kelly Gray, Logan Pause, Justin Mapp, Damani Ralph, Nate Jaqua (Dipsy Selolwane 79).
Substitutes Not Used: Scott Buete, Denny Clanton, D.J. Countess, Leonard Griffin, Alexandre Boucicaut.
TOTAL SHOTS: 19 (Damani Ralph 6); SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Andy Williams 4); FOULS: 11 (Kelly Gray 3); OFFSIDES: 4 (Damani Ralph 3); CORNER KICKS: 8 (Andy Williams 6); SAVES: 6 (Henry Ring 6)
Misconduct Summary: NONE
Referee: Michael Kennedy
Referee's Assistants: -Robert Fereday; Greg Barkey
4th Official: Abiodun Okulaja
Attendance: 1,847
Time of Game: 3:44
Weather: Cloudy-and-73-degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.
