Patterson scores twice to lead Battery over Toronto
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Charleston Battery vs Toronto
Charleston takes on Toronto in soccer at Blackbaud Stadium.
Battery 2, Toronto FC 0
If you haven't seen Charleston Battery striker Randi Patterson play this season, you might want to get out to Blackbaud Stadium pretty soon.
If Patterson has another performance like the one he had Saturday night against Toronto FC, the former UNC Greensboro All-American might not be in a Battery uniform for long.
Patterson had two goals and Dusty Hudock made four saves as the Battery blanked Toronto FC 2-0 in the final night of the Carolina Challenge Cup before a crowd of about 3,500 at Blackbaud Stadium.
The Battery finished the week-long round robin tournament against Major League Soccer opponents with a 1-1-1 mark.
San Jose wrapped up the tournament title Wednesday night after victories over Charleston (2-0) and Toronto FC (1-0) last weekend. It was the second Carolina Challenge Cup title for the Earthquakes, who captured the event in 2005.
Patterson, who played for the New York Red Bulls last season, is hoping to get another shot to play in the MLS.
"I always have something to prove when I step on the field," Patterson said. "I just want to make it to the next level. I'm just trying to score some goals and do my job. Hopefully someone out there notices me. But right now, I'm happy to be here and I'll do my job as best I can."
For now, Charleston coach Mike Anhaeuser is just pleased to have Patterson in a Battery uniform.
"Randi is a goal scorer and that was his forte even in college," Anhaeuser said. "Randi could get signed by an MLS team any day, so you can't worry about it. That's why we're trying to build some depth. Hopefully, he's getting on track and the team is getting on track, and we can keep that rolling into the regular season.
"We have to take it one step at a time. We've still got three weeks left before the regular season. We have to keep building on this."
Toronto FC had the first real scoring chance in the 17th minute. Striker Jeff Cunningham, who has 96 career goals in the MLS, got the ball just outside the 18-yard box, dribbled to his left and got around Marco Reda. Hudock came storming off his line for the challenge and made a diving save to stop Cunningham's shot attempt.
The Battery took a 1-0 lead on Patterson's goal in the 38th minute. Midfielder Alonso Osualdo got the ball on the right side about 35 yards out and served a ball into the 18-yard box. Patterson got just enough of Osualdo's pass to knock it past Toronto FC keeper Brian Edwards for the score.
Patterson gave the Battery a 2-0 lead with his header in the 50th minute. Midfielder Darren Spicer got the ball on the right side and served a beautiful ball into the 6-yard box. Patterson's diving header beat Edwards on the left side for the score.
San Jose 3, New York 0
San Jose put an exclamation point on its week at the Carolina Challenge Cup. The Earthquakes, who went unbeaten in the tournament, scored less than a minute into the game and cruised past the New York Red Bulls.
It took San Jose just 23 seconds to get the opening goal of the game. Midfielder Ivan Guerrero made a strong run down the left flank and crossed the ball just outside the 6-yard box to striker Kei Kamara, who headed it past New York keeper Jon Conway for the score.
The Earthquakes grabbed a 2-0 lead on Gavin Glinton's goal in the 49th minute.
New York scored an own goal in the final minute of regulation for the final margin of victory.
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