CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery travels north to Canada this weekend for a match against Toronto FC II on Sunday, June 26th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 at Ontario Soccer Centre.
The Battery is coming off a pressure-relieving win over the Harrisburg City Islanders at MUSC Health Stadium, while TFC II is coming off of a rough 4-1 loss to league-leading Louisville City FC. Charleston will look to continue its positive momentum and keep pace with the teams at the top of the table.
The win against Harrisburg was Charleston’s first at home since the 29-game unbeaten streak was broken on May 28th. The Battery lost back-to-back home games for the first time in over five years prior to the victory over the City Islanders. Midfielder Justin Portillo scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute to seal the three points for the Battery. The goal was Portillo’s fourth on the season and second in as many games.
The Battery players overcame a troubling mental hurdle with the win last Saturday. After the match, Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser commented, “I think this win will alleviate some of the pressure and change things. The guys can relax a little bit, we got three points that will put us in a good spot in the standings up there toward the top. You have to take what you can get. I’m very happy for my guys today.”
Anhaeuser and his players will go to Toronto looking to build off of the much-needed win at home. For the first time in a long time, Charleston has been better on the road than at home. The Battery has a 3-2-2 record away from home this season and has won its last three road games.
With the pressure of winning at home alleviated, Charleston will hope to open things up a bit in the attacking third. The Battery hasn’t scored a league goal from open play since the previous match against TFC II on May 14th. The match against the Young Reds in May was also the last time leading scorer Romario Williams found the back of the net.
Portillo has represented the Battery’s most dangerous attacking threat during the team’s struggles in the final third. The third-year midfielder leads the team in assists and is second in scoring, with most of his opportunities coming from set pieces. All four of Portillo’s goals this season have come from the penalty spot.
The Battery played perhaps its most complete match against TFC II in May at MUSC Health Stadium and will hope to mimic that performance in Sunday’s match. The Young Reds have struggled recently, going winless in their previous three matches.
TFC II followed up a draw at home against FC Montreal with two tough losses on the road at FC Cincinnati and Louisville. Despite the team’s early-season struggles, the Toronto has proven they can earn results against quality opponents. TFC II defeated Rochester at home 2-1 one week after earning a point on the road against the Charlotte Independence.
Toronto currently sits in the bottom three, while Charleston is in fourth place. With a win, the Battery could catch FC Cincinnati and move into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference depending on results around the league. TFCII will be looking to start a winning run in the league to climb out of the bottom of the table.
The match can be watched via live stream here: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218605
Top Image: O’Brian Woodbine races TFC II attacker to a loose ball on 5/14/2016. Roxy Taylor photo
