Charleston clinches USL playoff berth

The Charleston Battery played one of its best games of the season Friday night against the Portland Timbers.

However, the Battery's best still was only good enough for a scoreless draw against the top team in the USL First Division.

With the point, the Battery (12-4-10, 42 points), clinched a spot in the playoffs. The Timbers, who are unbeaten in 24 straight games, ran their league-best record to 14-1-10 (52 points).

The Battery looked sharp from the opening kickoff, despite playing a man down for the final hour after midfielder Ian Fuller was issued a red card in the 26th minute.

"It's frustrating to play as well as we did with a man down and not come out with three points," said Battery defender Frank Sanfilippo. "I thought when we had 11 guys out there in the first half, we were dominating the match. Still, it's a point and it's a big point at this stage of the season."

This was the Battery's second draw against the Timbers this season. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw on June 13 at Blackbaud Stadium.

"We've proven we can play with them, and that's important," Sanfilippo said. "If we end up playing them in the playoffs, that'll be important."

The game's character changed on a seemingly harmless play inside the Battery's 18-yard box in the 26th minute. Portland's Ryan Pore followed a loose ball into Charleston's six-year box that Battery keeper Keith Wiggans smothered.

As Pore sprinted past the Battery's fallen keeper he dragged his foot across Wiggans' head.

Fuller immediately ran at Pore, grabbing him by his shirt and pushing him backward.

The two continued to exchange words and shoves when both teams converged.

"I don't know what happened," said Wiggans, who made one save in the shutout. "I was on the ground and then I got hit in the face. I didn't see what happened after that. I'm sure it didn't sit well with Ian, and he stuck up for me."

After tempers cooled, referee Andrew Chapin issued a red card to Fuller and a yellow card to Pore.

"The referee came over and said that Keith got hit in the face," said Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser. "He said that Ian grabbed (Pore's) shirt and gave him a little extra shove. You've got to have some common sense as a referee. I mean, if he punches him that's one thing, but if it's a skirmish, give 'em two yellow cards and let game go on."

The Battery got an excellent scoring chance on a set piece during stoppage time in the first half.

Tsuyoshi Yoshitake served a searching ball into the six-yard box from about 35 yards out. Striker Randi Patterson headed the ball on net, forcing Portland keeper Steve Cronin to make a diving stop.

"We talked about closing them down at halftime and we came out and got the job done," Anhaeuser said. "We got a red card up in Carolina and gave up a quick goal. This time I thought we did a much better job of keeping our composure."

The Timbers had their best scoring chance in the 58th minute, when Brian Faber picked up a loose ball just outside the 18-yard box and blasted a shot that Charleston keeper Keith Wiggans fisted out of bounds.

Headers

Keeper Dusty Hudock (knee) and midfielders Tyler Hemming (knee) and Stephen Armstrong (calf) were out of the lineup with injuries.