Charleston Battery edged out Loudoun United 1-0 in the USL Championship. Langston Blackstock's 64th-minute goal settled a match in which the hosts had the greater share of shots. Loudoun pushed forward but could not find a reply.
The goal came when Douglas Martínez picked out Blackstock, whose finish made it 0-1. Before that, neither side had broken through, and bookings for Nathan Messer, Maalique Foster and Giorgi Lomtadze punctuated a combative first hour. After going behind, Loudoun pushed for an equaliser but Charleston held firm.
The visitors' efficiency was the difference: though Loudoun registered 12 shots to Charleston's five, it was the Battery who scored their one big chance. Charleston also controlled possession, with 55% and 439 accurate passes to 331. Blackstock's strike was the decisive moment of a match that produced few clear-cut openings.
