CHARLESTON, SC. – South Georgia Tormenta FC entered the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup this morning in a Lowcountry clash against the USL Championship’s Charleston Battery, resulting in a 1-0 win and the professional team’s first-ever third-round appearance. After severe weather delays on Wednesday, the postponed fixture between the Battery and Tormenta FC was played safely behind closed doors with Tormenta coming out victorious.
“A strong professional performance from the side today,” TFC Head Coach commented after the match. “We face Omaha in a couple of days, but today’s match helped us prepare as both clubs share similarities. Both teams are excellent on the field, they are direct, and we have to adjust to their style of play. We didn’t adjust to NCFC, and we lost. Today, we adapted and won.”
Battery alums Arthur Bosua and Deshawon Nembhard both returned to Patriots Point today and impressed in front of former teammates and coaches in the team’s long-awaited return to the Open Cup. Bosua scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick, and Nembhard helped keep a clean sheet against the tough Charleston side.
Tormenta FC’s performance showed the importance the club gives to the Open Cup. With a very competitive starting XI and high energy throughout, Cameron showed that a win was necessary to make a statement.
An early attempt at a goal from Bosua helped build confidence in the Statesboro side. In the 23rd minute, a poor transition from the goalkeeper gave Kingsford Adjei an opportunity to shoot the ball from 40 yards out with the keeper nowhere to be seen. The ball went just wide of the net, but Tormenta FC continued to impress in the first half against a well-respected USL Championship side.
Tormenta FC carried its first-half constant pressure and attacking presence into the second half. First, a 46th-minute shot on target from Adjei and a blast from Adrian Billhardt put the keeper to work.
South Georgia finally broke through in the 65th minute, as Billhardt put an impressive cross into the penalty spot, finding Bosua, who perfectly placed the ball into the net with a header impossible for the keeper to contain.
“The team stood up to the occasion,” Bosua commented. “For many, this is a surprise, but to us, it isn’t. We trust each other and believe this team has what it takes to win. I thank Charleston for the introduction to professional soccer, but Tormenta FC is where I am at, and I am super excited to make history with this special group.”
With this goal, Bosua and Billhardt stamp their names into the TFC history books with the first assist and first goal for Tormenta FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup since becoming a professional club.
Tormenta FC clinches its first Open Cup win in club history and advances to the Third Round of the national tournament.
NEXT MATCH/UPCOMING:
Tormenta FC will await its destiny in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, with the draw being on April 8 at noon ET on U.S Soccer’s Twitter and Youtube channels.
Following today’s Open Cup match and a bye weekend, the team returns home to host reigning USL League One champions Union Omaha on Saturday, April 16 at Erk Russell Park.
