Thursday, July 3 2008

CHARLESTON: The Trinidad and Tobago international Randi Patterson has earned a United Soccer Leagues (USL) Team of the Week pick after helping Charleston Battery win their latest First Division game.

Patterson got one of Charleston’s goals as they knocked off the Rochester Rhinos 3-1 in a home game at Blackbaud Stadium on Saturday.

The Battery lead the championship table with 24 points, one ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps (23) with Portland Timbers (21) in third spot.

Stephen Armstrong scored for Charleston in the 32nd minute and Patterson made it 2-0 two minutes later.

Patterson, who failed to earn selection for the TT Soca Warriors’ recent World Cup qualifying assignments, earned a free-kick on the left side.

Osvaldo Alonso whipped the ball into the near post and Patterson beat a challenging defender to the ball and finished with a neat flick past goalkeeper Scott Vallow.

Aaron King made the game safe for the Battery in the 80th minute and Ze Roberto got a 90th minute consolation goal for the Rhinos.