Booth’s Late Equalizer Steals Battery a Point at Miami

By: Battery Media

MIAMI – The Charleston Battery played Miami FC to a 1-1 draw at FIU Stadium on Saturday. After a spirited but scoreless start to the match with 16 shots between both teams in the first half, the game was decided late by Andrew Booth’s equalizer in the 97th minute. The FIU alumnus’ goal earned the Battery a point to wrap up the away trip before returning home to face first-place Pittsburgh on Sat., July 22nd.

The night got off to a fast start with Charleston nearly opening the scoring off a set piece in the 4th minute. Beto Avila hit a strong header on goal off Arturo Rodriguez’s free-kick that forced a finger-tip save from Adrían Zendejas, Nick Markanich then sent in a shot off the rebound and Zendejas made another save.

Miami were awarded a penalty in the 6th minute after Trey Myse collided with Kyle Murphy in the box while going after the ball. Muse, however, rose to the occasion and saved Murphy’s spot attempt with a correct guess to parry the ball away. Avila nearly scored again minutes later but his shot was saved off the line by defender Moises Hernandez.

Both sides began to settle down from the earlier intensity and size each other up as the half wore on. After 16 shots in the first 45 minutes, Charleston and Miami went into halftime tied at 0-0. Muse tallied two saves to keep Miami off the board.

Charleston looked to start the second half on the front foot, Augi Williams came close to scoring the opening goal in the 56th minute with a header on target but right to Zendejas. Muse was tested again moments later and made another save, against Gabriel Cabral. Leland Archer commanded a presence in the defensive third, leading the match in clearances (seven).

Newly-signed midfielder Pierre Reedy made his Battery debut in the 65th minute as a substitute in place of Nick Markanich.

The hosts grabbed the opening goal in the 83rd minute via Ben Mines after Muse saved Bolu Akinyode’s initial shot.

Despite being down 1-0, the Battery continued to apply pressure in search of a goal.

Charleston’s efforts paid off in stoppage time when Andrew Booth scored the equalizer in the 97th minute after being subbed in earlier in the second half. The FIU alumnus placed a header off Robbie Crawford’s corner kick perfectly through the defense and to the far post. The goal was Booth’s second of the season and the assist was Crawford’s second.

Booth’s equalizer held through the final minutes of stoppage time, earning the Battery a point in the 1-1 draw to close the road trip.

As of writing, the Battery have won 11 points from losing positions in the USL Championship this season, more than any other team.

Charleston’s record now stands at 9W-5L-6D (33 pts), placing them third in the Eastern Conference table.

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