Storm postpones Battery

Mic Smith
The Post and Courier

San Jose’s Gavin Glinton (left) battles Toronto’s Julius James for the ball at Blackbaud Stadium.

The Charleston Battery's match with Red Bull New York in the opening round of the Carolina Challenge Cup has been postponed to this afternoon at 3 p.m. at Blackbaud Stadium.

The first game of the tournament, which pitted Toronto FC against San Jose, was called late in the second half because of the stormy weather in the Lowcountry on Saturday night.

San Jose was declared the winner with a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC on Jason Hernandez's first half goal. The match was eventually called in the 77th minute because of the severe weather. The game was delayed for more than 15 minutes before officials finally decided to end the game and the night.

San Jose dominated most of the action, outshooting Toronto, 10-2, during the match. Toronto FC was without several key players as they were called up to their respective national teams for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament going on this week.

San Jose striker Gavin Glinton, who played for the Charleston Battery during the 2006 season, got the Earthquake offense going early with an excellent scoring chance in the ninth minute.

San Jose midfielder Ronnie O'Brien served the ball into the six-yard box to Glinton, but his header went just wide of the net to end the threat.

The Earthquake broke open a scoreless tie in the 22nd minute when Hernandez headed in a ball during a scramble in front of the net. O'Brien started the play on a corner kick. The ball bounced off a couple of Toronto defenders before Glinton's header was cleared off the line. However, Hernandez was there for the loose ball and knocked it past Toronto keeper Greg Sutton for the score.

All tickets for Saturday night's games will be honored today. There will be free parking as well.