Toronto FC got off to a winning start in the Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium on with a 2-1 win over the hosts Charleston Battery. Dwayne De Rosario and Rohan Ricketts got the goals for Toronto FC who played the second half with 10 men after Adrian Serioux was sent off.

The game was tied in the 15th minute from the penalty spot. Former Toronto FC midfielder Tyler Hemming stepped up to score past Stefan Frei after Adrian Serioux had fouled Kenji Treshuk.

Toronto had chances to retake the lead before half time with De Rosario looking lively going forward and Ricketts flashing a shot across goal, but the Reds were reduced to ten men in stoppage time at the end of the half. Adrian Serioux had received a yellow card earlier in the half, and he was shown a second yellow for another foul on Treshuk.

Despite being a man down, TFC had plenty of possession in the second half and with eight minutes remaining Rohan Ricketts curled in a shot from the edge of the penalty area to seal a victory.

Toronto FC travel to face Kansas City on March 21st for their 2009 season opener.