Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies
By: Charleston Battery Media
The Charleston Battery's 2020 postseason run ended Saturday night after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Through a battle of an Eastern Conference Semifinal, the late goal by Rowdies' forward Lucky Mkosana was the decider to advance Tampa Bay to the conference final and send the Battery home for the offseason.
Key Storylines
- In a fifth matchup between the teams, the Battery were unable to carry their 3-game winning streak against the Rowdies into the playoffs.
- It was an evenly-matched battle for most of the match, with both sides finding opportunities stifled by the opposing back line.
- The Rowdies lone score, late in the second half, would be the decider to send the Rowdies on and the Battery home.
First Half:
Through the first 45', it was an even battle between the Battery and the Rowdies. Much as could be expected from two teams in a playoff scenario after facing off four times prior. With equal chances by both sides, the first half was mostly a show of stout defense as each side held off the opposing attack.
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Second Half:
As both teams came out evenly matched in the second half, a slow start by both sides soon turned into a battle for possessions, of which the Rowdies mastered. Through set pieces on both sides and a back and forth matching two teams on the pitch for the fifth time, it appeared extra time was on the horizon. Unfortunately for the Battery, the Rowdies were able to convert off of a free kick 20 yards outside of the box as the kick found Lucky Mkosana to punch it past Battery keeper Joe Kuzminsky.
The Battery battled through the remaining 15 minutes to try and create an equalizing chance, but were unable to even things up.
