FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Charleston Battery saw their run in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup end on Tuesday night as Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer advanced 1-0 via an an own goal by Battery defender Juan Palma early in the second half.

The Battery opened the game well as they looked for an early advantage. Forwards Augustine Williams and Nick Markanich led the charge until Markanich suffered an apparent injury inside the opening 15 minutes and was replaced by Jesse Randall. Charleston goalkeeper Trey Muse came through on Miami’s best chance of the first half in the 18th minute, closing down an opportunity for Harvey Neville in the right side of the area to keep the game scoreless.

Randall, meanwhile, provided Charleston’s best look on goal before the break with a strike off a counterattack in the 38th minute. His shot on target forced Miami goalkeeper Nick Marsman into a diving save, having previously had a shot blocked 13 minutes prior.

“I think it was a pretty good game,” said Battery Head Coach Ben Pirmann. “We played with courage, we played with bravery. Dante [Polvara] and Chris [Allan] in midfield did a really good job of relieving some pressure. I’m proud of the effort, proud of the attitude. We showed courage, we played with the belief and we pressed high at moments.”

Charleston again came out on the front foot to start the second half and almost grabbed the lead inside a minute of the game’s resumption. A free kick from the right by Arturo Rodiguez found Derek Dodson, whose volleyed effort went just over the crossbar from 14 yards. Moments later, though, the visitors were dealt an unlucky break as Dodson’s attempt to clear a cross from the right struck Palma and ricocheted into the back of the net.

Williams nearly leveled the score in the 71st minute as he worked his way into the penalty area on the right and fired low off the near post. The rebound almost fell to Robbie Crawford, but the midfielder was unable to control his first-time opportunity as the ball skewed wide of the left post. Miami almost doubled its lead soon after only for Shanyder Borgelin to shoot well over from close range, but it proved academic as the hosts held on for victory.

“It was good to advance this far,” said Pirmann. “I think it also leaves a little bit of a taste in our mouth, where we want more and how we do that. We just have to continue to fine-tune some things. We had two massive attackers out of the lineup for the game and we still went with courage. Nothing to get too high or too low about, but it's disappointing not to advance. You can also be proud of the effort, hang your head on that and just get better for the next time out.”