Palmetto State Report: August 21
USL Cup drama, Battery keep winning, UPSL action just ahead
Greenville advances in USL Cup; Triumph earn 1-1 draw on the road out west
It was some late drama in Indy as the Triumph forced an own goal in the 90th minute and then defeated the Indy Eleven 6-5 in PKs to advance to the USL Cup semi-finals. Zeke Soto forced the own goal and then converted his penalty to give the Triumph the advantage 6-5. Triumph keeper Gunther Rankenburg then made the critical save on the next Indy kick to send the hosts crashing out of the Cup and the Triumph into the next round as the only surviving USL One team still in the competition. The Triumph has now defeated the Battery, Miami FC, and the Indy Eleven from the USL Championship during this USL Cup run. The Triumph will face Hartford Athletic on the road in the USL Cup semifinals after the recent draw. Last weekend, Greenville earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw in California as Ropapa Mensah converted a corner kick to share the points in regular season action. Greenville host Texoma FC at 7 PM on Saturday, August 23 in their next USL League One match.
Battery defeat the Hounds; Zamudio named to USLC Team of the Week
The Charleston Battery earned a 2-1 result on the road in Pittsburgh defeating the Riverhounds in front of a near record crowd (6,115) inside Highmark Stadium. Rubio Rubin scored just before the half and Arturo Rodriguez scored the winner just after the break to grab all three points. Luis Zamudio made two crucial saves in the match to preserve the win and earn him USLC Player of the Week honors. The Battery after the recent road trip are back at home at the Point on Saturday versus Loudoun United at 7:30 PM.
UPSL fall season just around the corner.
The fall 2025 UPSL Mid-Atlantic schedule will be dropping in just a few days and upcoming fall weekends will get busy again with soccer matches all across the state. Newly promoted Electric City and recently promoted Boiling Springs will provide a new Upstate derby to the mix while perennial powers Soda City, SC United Heat, and Charleston United will remind the new kids in the Premier Division just how strong this region is in UPSL soccer.