The Battery open up the 2021 season in New Jersey as they face New York Red Bulls II on Friday, May 7. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EST at MSU Soccer Park. Friday’s fixture is the first meeting between the two sides since 2019.
Charleston finally get their schedule underway after the 2021 USL Championship season started last week. The Black and Yellow are coming off a successful 2020 campaign that saw them make their 13th-consecutive Playoffs appearance, a run that ended in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Battery’s preseason was a busy one, involving friendlies against MLS and USL League One sides, including the defending League One Title-Winners Greenville Triumph SC. Charleston made roster additions across the pitch, signing defenders Erik McCue (on loan from Houston Dynamo FC) and Ben Di Rosa, midfielder Burke Fahling, and forward Geobel Perez. Much of the squad from last season returns for 2021.
Red Bulls II got their 2021 campaign started on April 30 in a 2-3 loss to Hartford Athletic. New York enters the year with a new roster across the board, retaining only three players from the previous season. And as an MLS reserve team, the starting lineup will be fluid this season as players transition between the first- and second-team squads. Two Red Bulls II players returning include 2020’s top goalscorers, Omar Sowe and Jake LaCava. The New Jersey perennial powerhouse will look to bounce back this season after failing to make postseason play for the first time in their five-year USL Championship history.
Historically, Red Bulls II lead the series with a 5-1-6 record against the Battery, but three of the last four meetings have ended in draws. The most recent match, on September 27, 2019, featured a dramatic equalizer from an AJ Paterson header in the dying seconds of the game to secure a point on the road.
Friday’s match will be the first of three meetings within a six-week period, with the next two fixtures between the clubs taking place at Patriots Point on May 23 and June 12.
Ones to Watch This Week
JAKE LACAVA
LaCava was the second-highest scorer for New York in 2020, netting five goals in 15 appearances. He picked up where he left off in their season opener with a strike in the top bin, the club’s first goal of the year. The goal was a quick hit in transition that saw Red Bulls II weave through the Hartford defense box to box.
MANDELA EGBO
Egbo is one to keep an eye on, as the English defender also scored in the season opener. Egbo has made more appearances for the Red Bulls than Red Bulls II, notching a goal and an assist with the first team. Although only 23 years old, he brings plenty of experience from abroad via Borussia Mönchengladbach II and Darmstadt 98. The former England U-18 player could provide an interesting wrinkle of attack from the back line to counter Charleston’s experienced defense.
ZEIKO LEWIS
Lewis is back for his third season with the Black and Yellow and will play a key role in the offensive game plan. 2020 was a successful one for Zeiko, leading the club in goals (6, tied with Nicque Daley) and chances created (34). The ex-NY Red Bulls II player will look to carry over that strong play against his former club.
JARAD van SCHAIK
Jarad returns to Charleston for his eighth season with the club. Last year, van Schaik broke the 150 caps mark with the Battery during a 0-3 victory against North Carolina FC to claim the Southern Derby. He has been a key piece in the Black and Yellow defense, leading in interceptions and tallying the second-most blocks and clearances last season, and will look to keep up his stellar form in 2021, beginning Friday.
From the Training Ground
After wrapping up preseason exhibition play April 30 against North Carolina FC, the Battery had a solid week of final training before hitting the road in preparation for Friday’s season opener. “They had a great week of training. We’ve had a long preseason with a lot of players coming in and out,” said Battery Head Coach Michael Anhaeuser. “The good part is we have a good nucleus of players that came back from last year.”
As the Battery roster has shaped up ahead of the season opener, Coach added, “We’ve added four or five pieces so far and they’ve really gelled together. I’m excited and the guys are ready to go, so I’m feeling very good about things.”
As of posting, Nico Rittmeyer and Erik McCue are listed as unavailable for Friday’s match.
MATCH INFO
New York Red Bulls II vs. Charleston Battery
Friday, May 7 – 7:00 p.m. EST Kickoff
MSU Soccer Park, Montclair, New Jersey
HOW TO WATCH:
All Battery matches will be streaming on ESPN+. You can tune in on Friday here.
The Battery will also be hosting a supporters watch party at DIG in the Park, starting at 6 p.m. ahead of kickoff, full event details can be found here.
