The Charleston Battery secured a convincing 5‑2 win over Sporting Club Jax on June 20, a result that vaulted the team to second place in the Eastern Conference standings and underscored the squad’s rapid improvement early in the season.
The match opened with a flurry of activity, as Maalique Foster opened the scoring in the 12th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Jacksonville, and Jeremy Kelly doubled the lead just two minutes later, finishing a pass from Miguel Berry that left the visitors reeling.
A Stormy Interlude
A sudden thunderstorm forced a 2.5‑hour delay, testing the patience of players and fans alike, but once the field cleared the Battery’s attack resumed with renewed vigor, turning a potentially flat game into a goal‑fest.
Berry struck twice in quick succession, first in the 19th minute after a smooth pass from Colton Swan and again in the 53rd minute to restore a two‑goal cushion, while Alec Hughes capped the scoring with the fifth goal in the 82nd minute.
Late Drama and Disciplinary Action
Jacksonville managed to pull one back through Wan Kuzain in the 44th minute and halved the deficit shortly after, but the Battery’s defense held firm, highlighted by Laurent Kissiedou’s first appearance in nearly two months in the 71st minute. The momentum shifted further when Ryan Edwards was sent off in the 81st minute, leaving the visitors a man short.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Loudoun United FC on June 24, a game the Battery hopes to build on as they look to maintain momentum in the conference race and solidify their position among the league’s top contenders.