DANIEL ISLAND, SC - The New York Red Bulls tied the Charleston Battery in the teams' first match of the Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium on Sunday. Midfielder Kevin Meza scored his first goal of the preseason in the second half, but it was cancelled out by a David Kenga strike moments later.
Both teams had a number of chances to break through in the first half. Midfielder Danleigh Borman was dangerous on the left wing and in the 16th minute, he lofted a ball into the box that Juan Pablo Angel almost got a touch on before it bounced out of play. Three minutes later, that combination almost gave New York a lead when another Borman cross was flicked over the bar by Angel.
Charleston was not afraid to get into the attack as well. Over 20 minutes in, midfielder Mike Richardson was able to streak into the Red Bulls box before blasting a shot that goalkeeper Jon Conway had to tip over the bar. Ten minutes later, forward Aaron King went in on goal but Conway was quick off his line to block the shot.
Later in the half, the Red Bulls had a number of chances to score as Mike Magee had two of the best chances of the half. First, in the 37th minute, a Borman free kick landed in Magee's path and he was able to head it past Charleston goalkeeper Dusty Hudock but off the left post. Moments from the intermission, Magee was again free in the six yard box. However, his header from a Luke Sassano delivery was right at Hudock.
Four minutes after the break, Angel threatened again, this time unleashing a shot from 20 yards out that was pushed away by Hudock. Soon after, Magee latched onto a Seth Stammler ball but his left-footed shot from six yards out went wide right.
In the 69th minute, Chris Megaloudis, who just came into the game, was able to knock the ball in the net after Ubiparipovic played it into box. However, Megaloudis was ruled offsides.
The Red Bulls broke through 10 minutes later. Ubiparipovic stepped over the ball after a Charleston foul and delivered a ball into the box that Meza flicked on and into the back of the net.
After the restart, the Battery answered, as Kenga found space on the left side of the penalty box before hitting a shot into the side netting.
The Battery almost had a chance to win it in second half stoppage time when substitute Kendall Jagdeosingh hit a curling left footed shot towards net. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton was fully extended and pushed the attempt away.
The Red Bulls will play Toronto FC on Wednesday at 6 PM at Blackbaud Stadium. The game will be streamed live on www.usllive.com.
Scoring Summary
NY: Meza (Ubiparipovic) 79'
CHAR: Kenga (unassisted) 80'
Disciplinary Summary
CHAR: Velton (caution) 1'
CHAR: Reda (caution) 44'
CHAR: Alonso (caution) 45'
CHAR: Kenga (caution) 80'
New York Red Bulls: Jon Conway (GK) (Zach Thornton 46'), Kevin Goldthwaite, Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Danleigh Borman (Kevin Meza 74'), Seth Stammler, Claudio Reyna (capt.) (Michael Palacio 61'), Luke Sassano (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 46'), Mike Magee (Ricky Schramm 73'), Oscar Echeverry (Chris Megaloudis 67'), Juan Pablo Angel (John Wolyniec 61')
Charleston Battery: Dusty Hudock, Tim Vetton, Marco Reda (Brandon Curran 46'), Jack Stewart, John Wilson (Troy Smith 46'), Luke Kreamalmeyer (Jordan Hughes 67'), Pato Aguilera (Andre Toussaint 61'), Osvaldo Alonso (Dominic Cianciarulo 86'), Mike Richardson (David Kenga 61'), Darren Spicer (Louie Rolko 74'), Aaron King (Kendall Jagdeosingh 74')
