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Severe Weather Postpones Carolina Challenge Cup

By Jeff Kassouf

The tornadoes that were publicized for canceling an SEC quarterfinal
game last night in Atlanta have made their way to Charleston, causing more havoc for sports fans. The first match of a Carolina Challenge Cup doubleheader tonight between the San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC was called in the 77th minute due to lightning. San Jose was declared the winner by a score of 1-0 by a Jason Hernandez Goal in the 22nd minute.

The second match that was supposed to take place between the Charleston Battery and New York Red Bulls was cancelled due to further severe weather that was on its way through Charleston and most of the southeastern area on South Carolina. The second game was rescheduled for Sunday at 3pm.

The opener between San Jose and Toronto featured most of the presumable starters for each team, but proved to be rather uneventful. The game was indicative of what a preseason match should be, with some slower than usual legs, and a lack of significant rhythm.

Notably, The Red Patch Boys, Toronto FC’s supporters group, made the long trip down to South Carolina to support their team in preseason action, and were the most visible sign of life in Blackbaud Stadium. While they were certainly expecting warm weather, they would not be able to predict tornado problems.

Charleston’s supporter’s group, The Regiment, will surely make their voices heard tomorrow afternoon as the Battery try to knock off the Red Bulls in their first game of the Cup. The Carolina Challenge Cup is a round-robin tournament, with Toronto FC, the Charleston Battery, the San Jose Earthquakes, and the New York Red Bulls each playing each other once to determine who takes home the title. The tournament continues through next Saturday, March 22.

Jeff Kassouf is a staff writer for The New Paltz Times and a freelance writer who covers soccer, and can be reached at: jeffkassouf@yahoo.com