CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery hit the road again last night, heading to Ohio in preparation for Saturday’s match against third place FC Cincinnati.
FCC (11-4-4) have a two point lead on the Battery, meaning they have to earn at least a draw on Saturday to remain above Charleston in the table. Both teams are coming off momentum-building wins last weekend; Cincinnati topping league-leading Louisville City FC at home and Charleston defeating New York Red Bulls II in New Jersey.
Cincinnati earned three points against the first place team with several players missing from their midfield. Corben Bone and Eric Stevenson turned in good performances in place of Kenney Walker and Ross Tomaselli in the derby match.
Similarly, the Battery were without their engine and their sparkplug in the win versus New York. Justin Portillo and Ricky Garbanzo were suspended for the match against the Red Bulls and several players stepped up in their absence. With key players returning, both Mike Anhaeuser and John Harkes have important lineup decisions to make Saturday night.
Maikel Chang and O’Brian Woodbine led the way for Charleston in New Jersey, both earning Team of the Week honors. Chang was voted USL Player of the Week after scoring the game’s opening goal and assisting Heviel Cordoves’ 66th minute game-winner.
Sean Okoli scored his ninth goal of the season for Cincinnati against Louisville, keeping him one ahead of the Battery’s leading-scorer Romario Williams who also found the back of the net last Saturday. Despite being held scoreless, Okoli’s movement up top caused Charleston’s back four a few problems in the first meeting between the two teams.
A Romario Williams 94th minute game-winner clinched the three points for the Battery against the USL newcomers on March 26th at MUSC Health Stadium. The loss was one of only two Cincinnati has suffered on the road this season, also dropping a 2-1 decision in Rochester earlier this month.
Charleston will be looking to jump FCC and move into third place while extending its unbeaten streak to seven games on Saturday. The road has been a haven for the Battery of late, winning five of their last six games away from home and earning 16 of a possible 18 points over the course of that run.
Kickoff at Nippert Stadium is scheduled for 7:00pm. The match can be streamed via the USL Match Center at http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218452.
