The Charleston Battery secured a 2-1 victory over the Florida Badgers in a United States Open Cup match that kicked off at 6:30 AM on March 19, 2026. This early morning cup tie provided a dramatic result as the hosts came from behind to advance in the historic domestic knockout competition. The match began with the underdog Florida Badgers taking a surprising lead, putting the USL Championship side Charleston Battery under immediate pressure. The Battery responded with increased intensity, finding an equalizer before the halftime break to level the score. The decisive moment came in the second half when Charleston capitalized on a sustained period of pressure, scoring the winning goal to complete the comeback. The match was characterized by a strong physical presence from both sides, with several key challenges influencing the flow of the game. A standout performance came from Charleston's midfield, which controlled possession in the crucial final third of the match to create the winning opportunity. This result sees the Charleston Battery progress to the next round of the Open Cup, continuing their pursuit of the trophy, while the Florida Badgers' cup run ends in a valiant defeat. The Charleston manager praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed great character to respond after going down early, which is exactly what you need in a cup competition." The Florida Badgers' coach remarked, "We're proud of the effort, but ultimately we couldn't hold on against a very good professional side." The Charleston Battery lined up in their typical formation, while the Florida Badgers set up to counter-attack, making for an engaging and unpredictable cup clash.