It was match number two this past Saturday for Charleston Battery - t
he official USL PRO affiliate of Vancouver Whitecaps FC
. The Battery drew even at 2-2 against the visiting Richmond Kickers at Blackbaud Stadium with a pair of 'Caps playing important roles.
Images from Charleston vs. Richmond courtesy of CHSSoccer.net
Three 'Caps loanees earned their first starts with Charleston.
Omar Salgado
got the nod up top, while 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick
Andre Lewis
started the first match of his professional career at left wing and U-18 Residency grad
Jackson Farmer
got his first professional start at right back.
Lewis' contributions turned out to be vital, as the young Jamaican launched a perfect cross to the back post, finding his teammate Jarad van Shaik who headed in the goal from the six-yard box.
The battery would later take the lead in the 58th minute as substitute
Adam Mena
(2012 Whitecaps FC draftee) drew a free kick after a pass from Farmer. The Battery would convert the opportunity to go up 2-1 with Amadou Sanyang heading home a cross from van Shaik. Mena had come in for
Omar Salgado
, who left early with a foot injury. Salgado is currently being evaluated further, however at Whitecaps FC training this week head coach Carl Robinson reported that
"it might not be as bad as first feared"
.
Defender
Aminu Abdallah
would substitute in on the 76th minute while striker
Mamadou Diouf
would come on in the 60th minute.
On Thursday the Battery will have a scrimmage with North American Soccer League (NASL) side Carolina RailHawks, who feature former Whitecaps FC midfielder Jun Marques Davidson.
The Battery have a bye this coming weekend before returning to action on Saturday, April 12 in a rematch against season-opening opponents Orlando City SC Lions at Disney Wide World of Sports Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff will be at 4:30 p.m. PT. All USL PRO matches are streamed live on
.
