Club continues three-match road trip at Louisville City FC next week
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (Sept. 9, 2023) – San Diego Loyal SC allowed a goal in each half of a 2-0 loss at Charleston Battery Saturday night at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium.
Tristan Trager found the net twice for the homeside in the interconference USL Championship matchup where SD Loyal traveled across the country in its first-ever visit to South Carolina. SD Loyal starts its first of three-straight road matches with a loss, allowing a late goal in first half stoppage time and another quick score at the start of the second.
SD Loyal (12W-8L-7D, 43 points) continues its road stretch at Louisville City FC on Saturday, Sept. 16 (4:30 p.m., The CW San Diego) before its last stop at Monterey Bay F.C. on Wednesday, Sept. 20 (7 p.m., ESPN+)
Against Charleston Battery (15W-7L-7D, 52 points) Saturday, SD Loyal was able to create multiple dangerous attacking opportunities in the first half, despite the homeside pressing and standing firm on defense. SD Loyal’s first chance came when Adrien Perez took a ball near the top of the area and sent a left-footed shot that was saved by diving goalkeeper Trey Muse in the 22nd minute.
Tumi Moshobane nearly scored two minutes later with a brilliant one-touch left-footed shot off a Charlie Adams bending pass that flew inches wide of the left post.
But it was Trager who changed the trajectory of the match when he scored on a late first half opportunity. The attacking midfielder gave Charleston a 1-0 lead seconds into stoppage time when he sent in a left-footed shot that came off Perez, who was defending on the play. The scoring play started from a cross by Pierre Reedy from right to left. The aerial cross bounced off Perez’ back to an unmarked Trager, who sent in his one-timer past SD Loyal goalkeeper Koke Vegas.
Trager doubled the Charleston lead less than two minutes after the second half whistle. Using his right-foot from near the six-yard box, Trager tapped in a quick cross by Derek Dodson for his second goal of the night. SD Loyal made substitutions in an effort to spark a comeback, but Charleston maintained its composure on defense to preserve the 2-0 win.
After SD Loyal completes its three-match road trip the club will return home on Sunday, Sept. 24 (3 p.m) to host Las Vegas Lights FC. Tickets to the match are available now at sdloyal.com/tickets.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
CHS – Tristan Trager, 45+1: Trager sent in a left-footed shot after a Pierre Reedy cross came off the back of Adrien Perez. CHS 1, SD 0
CHS – Tristan Trager (Derek Dodson), 47th minute: Trager sent in his second of the night when he fired a right-footed shot to extend the lead for the homeside. CHS 2, SD 0
Palomar Health Man of the Match: Alejandro Guido
