Robinho scores for Crew SC in 1-1 draw against the Charleston Battery

Columbus Crew SC took on USL side the Charleston Battery on Wednesday, February 20 at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, S.C., for its second match of the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup. The match resulted in a 1-1 draw, with Robinho tallying his first goal for the Black & Gold.

The Crew’s lineup featured an entirely different starting XI from what had been fielded against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, with defender Josh Williams wearing the armband on the night for the Black & Gold.

Crew SC had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, spending the majority of the first period in the Battery’s half. Columbus came close to scoring in the 16^th minute, when a well-placed free kick by Robinho from the edge of the box struck the near post. On the defensive end, Jon Kempin was called into action in the 23^rd minute, when he had to come off his line to clear a loose ball.

In the 26^th minute, Charleston managed to get the lead when Ian Svantesson headed in a corner kick to put the hosts ahead. The Black & Gold continued to press the action and managed to level the score in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, when Edward Opoku – who had been substituted in for Niko Hansen – set up Robinho, for the equalizer.

In the second half, the Black & Gold refused to sit back, pushing for a second goal. In the end, despite having 10 more shots on target than Charleston, the match finished in a 1-1 draw. Notably, tonight’s match featured two current Crew SC Academy players – Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris – as well as two Crew SC Academy products – Alex Crognale and Aboubacar Keita.

“I loved the energy and the youth,” said Head Coach Caleb Porter. “For us to have two academy kids get time – Sebastian Berhalter looked really comfy, Aidan [Morris] came in – it was great to see young guys in there showing that they can fit in.”

Up next for the Black & Gold is the final match of the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup against in-state rivals FC Cincinnati, set to take place on Saturday, February 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed live on www.CharlestonBattery.com.

GOALS/ASSISTS

CHA – Ian Svantesson (Jared van Schaik) 26’

CLB – Robinho (Edward Opoku) 45’+2’ 

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

CHA – Tah Brian Anunga (caution) 36’

LINEUPS

Columbus Crew SC: Jon Kempin; Connor Maloney, Josh Williams (Alex Crognale), Lalas Abubakar, Aboubacar Keita; Ricardo Clark (Aidan Morris 85’), Luis Argudo; Niko Hansen (Edward Opoku 39’), Eduardo Sosa (Sebastian Berhalter 46’), Robinho; Patrick Mullins (JJ Williams 62’)

Charleston Battery: Joe Kuzminsky, O’Brian Woodbine (Kyle Nelson 46’), Jay Bolt (Devon Amoo 68’), Leland Archer, Jarad van Schaik (AJ Patterson 46’), Tah Brian Anunga (Keiron Mason 62’), Angelo Kelly (Nicque Daley 83’), Vincenzo Candela (Monday Etim 77’), Nico Rittmeyer (Dante Marini 46’), Romario Piggott (Kotaro Higashi 73’), Ian Svantesson (Arthur Bossua 59’)