Protagonist Podcasts Presents: America’s Greatest is our soccer history podcast series, co-hosted by Joshua Duder and several of Protagonist’s other writers, podcasters, and guests - where we explore and share the rich narrative and pedigree of the sport in the United States. We like to explore and share the stories about our greatest games, moments, and iconic soccer characters.

We reach out to authors, historians, coaches, players and fellow podcasters to help uncover the narrative of soccer in our country and in Episode Ten we discuss the 2008 US Open Cup Final between The Charleston Battery and DC United with Protagonist Contributor and host of the Real Charleston Podcast, Del Shaffer. Charleston Battery is one of the longest-running professional teams in the country and has a respectable resume, having won: USISL Pro 1996, USL A-League 2003, USL 2nd Div 2010, USL Championship 2012, and made appearances in the 1999 and 2004 US Open Cup Semifinals.

We also had co-host of Knights Who Say NISA and One League Under the C, board member of the Society for American Soccer Historians (SASH), and resident Protagonist Historian, Dan Creel on to discuss the legendary DC United and their state at the time of this game. DC United are an iconic MLS 1.0 team and had a CV of its own: 4 MLS Cups, 4 MLS Supporters Shields, 3 US Open Cups, 1 CONCACAF Champions Cup, and 1 Copa Interamericana - in general terms, DC United is a giant of domestic club soccer.

The 2008 US Open Cup Final was the 95th and entrance for MLS sides was limited; unlike recent tournaments where every pro team is automatically berthed, only 8 of its 13 US-based teams were eligible. The Top-3 teams from each conference plus two who entered through qualification rounds earlier in the year. DC United entered in the 3rd Round Proper and knocked out the Rochester Rhinos, Chicago Fire, and New England Revolution along the way - they then “won” the bid to host the Final.

Without a proper pyramid, its sometimes tedious to know where all of these clubs fit into the stratification of US Soccer, but the Charleston Battery were effectively a division below MLS and they started their tournament run earlier in the process. They started with a win over the New Stars, then beat the Charlotte Eagles in the 2nd Round. This is where their run gets magical, however, advancing past Houston Dynamo in penalties, going to Frisco and knocking out Dallas FC, then advancing past Seattle Sounders through penalties to punch their ticket to the final.

We go through the game itself, looking at the rosters, coaches and of course we walk through the highlights of the match. Dan and Del speak to the emotions surrounding the Final for both sets of supporters and where the players ended up later in their careers. Lastly, we discuss the music at the time; what we were listening to and what was on the charts. LISTEN HERE for the tenth episode of America’s Greatest!

We have a few more episodes already recorded and look forward to releasing them every second week. If there is a player, game, or moment you think we should consider, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know!

by Joshua Duder