STATESBORO, Ga. – April 18, 2024 – South Georgia Tormenta FC will face USL Championship side Charleston Battery in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at 7:00 p.m. May 8, on the road at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium. Tormenta has only entered the Round of 32 once prior, making this a landmark opportunity for the club.
South Georgia most recently faced off against Charleston Battery in the Open Cup in 2022, when Tormenta FC emerged victorious with a 0-1 score. While under the tutelage of Head Coach Ian Cameron, Tormenta FC has never lost a match to a Championship side team in the U.S. Open Cup.
While Tormenta FC hopes to maintain the perfect record against Championship side teams in The Cup, a tough battle lies ahead, as South Georgia narrowly fell to Charleston Battery during the 2024 preseason with a 1-3 score.
“Charleston has revamped in the last few years. What started with savvy front office additions, resulted in a great coaching hire in Ben. They now have elite direction and are emerging as a marquee Championship side,” Cameron explained. “We saw them firsthand in preseason and know the challenge that lies ahead. For an opportunity to advance, we’ll have to play an outstanding game, but what else do you expect in a 4th round tie!”
South Georgia heads into the match following a key win against USL Championship side Miami FC with a 2-4 score, which catapulted the team into this electrifying match. This Round of 32 marks the first Open Cup game of 2024 for Charleston.
If Tormenta FC finds a win against the Charleston Battery, the Ibises will move on to the Round of 16 for the first time ever and will face off against either the MLS club Atlanta United FC or the USL League One club Charlotte Independence SC. In 2023, not a single USL League One team made it to the Round of 16 in the Open Cup, providing Tormenta with the opportunity to make history. South Georgia is one of three USL League One teams to make it into the Round of 32 this season.
