Palmetto State Report March 20
The regular season, Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, and breaking news all in full swing.
A busy week around the Palmetto State with lots of storylines…
Battery defeat Rhode Island FC
The Charleston Battery claimed a 2-0 win over visiting Rhode Island FC as blockbuster off-season signing Cal Jennings opened his Lowcountry account with a brace. A trip to North Carolina FC on March 29 closes the month of March in a Southern Derby match. Charleston took the Derby in 2024 after a 0-0 draw in Cary and a 5-2 win at Patriots Point.
Triumph break ground on new stadium: break losing streak in win over Owls.
The Greenville Triumph broke ground on their new BridgeWay Station stadium project as special guest and Triumph owner Ronaldinho visited the Upstate on March 12. Later that evening the Triumph ran out to a 3-0 win over Union Omaha to break a recent string of losses to the Buhos that included a 1-2 loss in the USL League One semifinals last fall. Greenville hosts the Spokane Velocity on March 29 to close out their March home dates with a 7 PM kickoff.
Triumph advance in USOC; Soda City play at Carolina Core on Thursday
The Greenville Triumph slipped past Asheville City SC in penalty kicks 4-3 in the first round of the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The teams played to a 0-0 stalemate after 120 minutes with each team enjoying a positive run of play in the match played on the campus of UNC Asheville. Much was said about the appearance of the pitch, but both teams were just unlucky to not find the final touch in front of goal during the match.
Soda City FC play at Carolina Core in their USOC debut on Thursday at 7:30 PM. The match will be played at Truist Park in High Point, NC and will be broadcast on the US Soccer YouTube channel.
National Champs Soda City FC win season opener
Soda claimed a 3-1 win over Gastonia FC go open the 2025 spring season at Irmo HS. Soda has the weekend off but has a huge Columbia Derby at the SC United Heat on Sunday, March 30 at 5 PM.
Marriott nets four goals; SC United Heat cruise to 4-1 win
The Heat traveled to the NC Ballers and forward Tom Marriott scored four goals to push the visitors to a 4-1 victory to open the season. Marriott scored at a blistering pace last fall and seems to be well on his way to another season at the top of the UPSL Premier goal-scoring leaderboard. The Heat host Charlotte SA on March 23 at 3 PM before the huge Columbia Derby against Soda City.
Boiling Springs slip on road while Charleston United drop home opener
Boiling Springs FC slipped 1-2 at the Charlotte SA to open their 2025 spring season while Charleston United dropped a 4-5 result in their home opener in Summerville. Boiling is home to the NC Ballers while Charleston travels to Gastonia in their next matches.
It’s not a Palmetto State team but they are right across the river…
The Savannah River to be exact, and the new Augusta Soccer Team will make their home debut in the UPSL First Division Georgia South Conference on March 29 with a 3 PM kickoff at the Augusta Soccer Park versus the Georgia Revolution U23.
See you at the games around the state real soon…