Charleston Battery defeats Rhode Island FC on penalties

Battery Edge Rhode Island 5-4 on Penalties After Late Equalizer

The Charleston Battery survived a postseason scare on Saturday at Patriots Point, defeating Rhode Island FC 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw through extra time in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Trailing in the final moments of regulation, the Battery looked headed for elimination until Miguel Berry broke through with a 94th-minute equalizer.

The match marked the third consecutive postseason meeting between the two clubs. Rhode Island set the early tempo, registering the match’s first shot in the sixth minute when Amos Shapiro-Thompson tested Charleston goalkeeper Luis Zamudio from distance. The visitors capitalized in the 28th minute after Houssou Landry fouled Grant Stoneman in the box. Though Zamudio blocked Jojea Kwizera’s penalty kick, the rebound fell directly back to Kwizera, who buried it to give Rhode Island a 0-1 lead.

Chasing the Game in Mount Pleasant

Charleston turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, dominating possession and pinning the visitors back. Colton Swan forced a sharp save from Koke Vegas in the 57th minute, and the Battery continued to knock on the door as the half wore on.

As regulation bled into stoppage time, the home side’s persistence finally paid off. Laurent Kissiedou lofted a long cross into the penalty box. Berry rose to meet it with a header that was initially blocked by Frank Nodarse, but Berry reacted quickest to the loose ball, flicking the rebound past Vegas to make it 1-1 in the 94th minute. The strike marked Berry’s first postseason goal and his 11th across all competitions in 2026.

John Berner Secures Shootout Victory with Clutch Save

Neither side could find a winner through two scoreless periods of extra time, despite late chances from Charleston’s Emilio Ycaza and Berry. Anticipating the looming shootout, Ben Pirmann made a goalkeeper swap with John Berner brought in to relieve Luis Zamudio.

The move paid off in sudden death. After both teams converted their first three attempts—and traded goals in the fifth round following a missed Rhode Island penalty—Berner came up with a clutch save on Augustin Rodriguez’s sixth-round attempt. Jeremy Kelly then stepped up to slot his shot past Vegas, sealing the 5-4 shootout victory and sending Charleston through to the next round.

The win advances the Battery to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2024. Charleston will host Hartford Athletic at Patriots Point on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, Rhode Island FC’s third season concluded with the hard-fought defeat, wrapping up a campaign that saw the Ocean State club clinch its third straight playoff berth with 12 regular-season wins.

More on this story: Rhode Island FC Faces Charleston Battery in USL Quarterfinal