The Charleston Battery defeated the Montreal Impact tonight (Friday, June 28, 2002) at Claude Robaillard Stadium, by score of one goal to none. El Salvador native, Raul Diaz Arce scored the lone goal of the game midway through the second half...
The Charleston Battery defeated the Montreal Impact tonight (Friday, June 28, 2002) at Claude Robaillard Stadium, by score of one goal to none. El Salvador native, Raul Diaz Arce scored the lone goal of the game midway through the second half to give Charleston the victory. The Battery improves to 13-1-1, 57 points, 1st place in the A-League Southeast Division. Charleston also owns the best record in the entire A-League. The win was the Battery’s 10th straight, setting a new Club record for consecutive A-League wins. |
Montreal enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half but their attack was continually stifled by Charleston’s rock-solid defense. Canadian, Mark Watson, his defensive partner, Linval Dixon, Kyle Swords and Andrew Lewis were all in fine form dominating the final third of the field. |
Charleston soaked up the Montreal pressure and then counter-attacked as the opportunity arose. Diaz Arce might have scored in the 40th minute, but his speculative shot, from the edge of the box, was just too high. |
In the second half the Battery attacked with more purpose and in the 66th minute was rewarded with a goal. |
Mark Watson took a throw from the near flank, deep in the Impact half. Forward, Steve Klein met the cross at the edge of the 6-yard box and flicked it across the face of the goal. The ball was behind Diaz Arce who had run through to attack the ball. Somehow he managed to swivel and directed the ball into the goal. It was a superb strike and it silenced the Montreal crowd. |
With the goal lead, Charleston shored up its defenses and Montreal threatened the Battery goal only once more. Goalkeeper, Todd Hoffard saved brilliantly from substitute forward, Darko Kolic in the 85th minute to preserve his shut-out win. Kolic’s shot was from point-blank range. |
The referee allowed six minutes of extra time but it was not enough for the Impact to find an equalizer. Montreal were undefeated at home prior to Charleston’s visit, the loss also denied them a new Club record for consecutive shut-outs. |
Article from the wayback machine. |