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Executive Chairman Rob Salvatore sat down with Justin Biegel for a mid-year reflection.
The two discuss the 2021 season so far, future plans at Patriots Point and what to expect with the five remaining home games – starting with next Wednesday’s match against New York Red Bulls II.
Week 1 of the USL Championship season comes to a close on Sunday night with six teams in action throughout the day. First up, Atlanta United 2 and Charleston Battery at 3:30 P.M. Charleston open the season with three straight away matches before returning home on March 28th for their first match at Patriots Point against Philadelphia Union II.
Charleston wrapped up a successful preseason tour with home wins against Chattanooga Red Wolves and the College of Charleston. The Black and Yellow should feel confident heading out on the road, but a young and hungry ATLUTD2 team will prove a tough test to kick off the 2020 season. Here’s what you need to know.
Series History/Recent Results – ATLUTD2 got the better of Charleston last season, taking three points at home and settling for a draw on the road. Both teams hold a 2-2-1 all-time series record dating back to 2018.
Laurent Kissiedou opened the scoring for ATLUTD2 at MUSC Health Stadium in the first match between the two sides in 2019. Kissiedou’s goal in the 71st minute had ATLUTD2 thinking three points but Zeiko Lewis would equalize eight minutes later with a brilliant “Olimpico” goal, scoring directly from a corner kick. The match would play out to a 1-1 draw. In the reverse fixture, ATLUTD2 jumped out to an early lead through a Luiz Fernando goal before Nico Rittmeyer scored his first goal of the season to level things going into the break. Second-half goals from Andrew Carleton and Jack Metcalf saw hosts earn a late-season win.
It’s difficult to predict what sort of lineup ATLUTD2 will deploy on Sunday against Charleston. ATLUTD2 has thirteen players signed to their USL Championship roster which means we could see a number of academy/first-team players feature this weekend. Last season, ATLUTD2 had 40 players make at least one appearance for the team while 21 made at least ten appearances.
Who to Watch, Luiz Fernando – It’s a good bet that midfielder Luiz Fernando will be in the Starting XI for ATLUTD2 this weekend. Fernando, who is under contract with the first team, made 32 appearances for ATLUTD2 last season. The Sao Paulo native started 27 matches, finished third on the team in minutes (2,328), and led the team in assists (4). In two matches against Charleston in 2019, Fernando picked up one assist and scored one of his two-season goals.
And while the ATLUTD2 roster changes from week to week, Charleston has undergone some offseason roster changes of their own. The 2020 squad has a new look and feel with longtime captain, Taylor Mueller, making his way back home, signing with Tacoma Defiance, after eight-years sporting the Black and Yellow. Tah Brian Anunga signed his first Major League Soccer contract with Nashville SC and Joe Kuzminsky is out on loan with Israeli club, Maccabi Haifa.
Charleston responded by signing eight new players, including former Rangers FC midfielder, Robbie Crawford, to fill offseason holes. Rennico Clarke, Logan Gdula, and Deshawon Nembhard join veteran Jarad van Schaik in the back while Jesus Ibarra and Mauro Cichero add a different look going forward.
Who to Watch, Zeiko Lewis – The catalyst of Charleston’s attack, Zeiko Lewis looks to build on an impressive first season with the Battery. Leading the team in goals, assists, shots, and chances created, Lewis is set to start the season strong against an ATLUTD2 team that conceded 77 goals in 2019, the fifth-highest total in the USL Championship. The dynamic forward scored two goals against Minnesota United in February.
From the Training Ground – “The guys have been fantastic,” said coach Mike Anhaeuser. “We finished our last two games very well. Defensively we were very sound.” Charleston showed just how good they could be on the defensive end, allowing just one goal in their final two preseason matches. “Now, it’s go time,” said Anhaeuser. “Guys have to step up.”
One of Charleston’s defensive leaders, Leland Archer, says he’ll be ready for whatever Atlanta brings on Sunday. “You never know who they are going to bring,” said Archer. “There style of play is basically the same, they try to possess the ball, and we’ll be ready.” Archer figures to be a key piece of a new look Charleston defense.
How to Watch: Join us at Baker & Brewer for our first watch party of the year! Make us a part of your Sunday Funday and enjoy $3 craft beers from the opening kick to the final whistle. We’ll also be selling some of the newest and coolest Charleston Battery merch to rep your city AND your team. The party starts at 3:00 P.M. with kickoff set for 3:30 P.M. Can’t make it out to Baker & Brewer? No problem. You can catch every USL Championship match, including Sunday’s contest between Atlanta and Charleston, on ESPN+.
The USL Championship announced Thursday that the September 1 match between the Charleston Battery and Hartford Athletic has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 26. Kickoff for the new date at Dillon Stadium is slated for 7 p.m. EST.
The original date was postponed due to inclement weather in the Hartford area.
The October 26 meeting is now the Battery’s final away day before the club returns to Patriots Point for their regular season finale on Saturday, October 30 against The Miami FC.
The Battery fell 0-1 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a hard-fought match Tuesday night at Patriots Point. It was a physical game that saw red cards issued to both sides in the second half with a 63rd-minute goal from Lewis Hilton lifting the visitors past Charleston. The Battery remain one point off from a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division following the result and will look to bounce back on the road next Wednesday.
The first half saw both sides size each other up without much ground given either way. Tampa Bay started the match aggressively and with an emphasis on possession, retaining the ball 56.4% of the time in the first 45 minutes. The visitors tested Joe Kuzminsky in the 9th minute when Steevan Dos Santos sent a header towards the center of the goal and Kuzminsky was there for the save. The Battery had a good look in the 19th minute when Ben Di Rosa provided a well-placed cross to Zeiko Lewis inside the box, but Lewis’ attempt was too tall for the crossbar.
Josh Penn looked to build on the recent forward momentum in the 25th minute with a shot from the edge of the box. Penn lined up his aim and sent a bullet at the right post, however the ball was just wide of the net. The half continued to play out with back and forth movement from both teams with Robbie Crawford and Penn helping drive much of the forward movement for the Black and Yellow. Kuzminsky came up big with a clutch punch in the 39th minute following a Tampa Bay free kick, denying the visitors any scoring opportunities. The half ended scoreless with the Battery out-shooting the Rowdies five to three.
The Charleston offense started the second half aggressively pressing forward. Penn, at the edge of the box, received a blocked attempt by Angelo Kelly and sent in a strong shot that was right to Evan Louro, who made the save. Charleston continued to advance the ball into the Rowdies defensive third in search for a breakthrough. Lewis and Claudio Repetto had a close opportunity in the 57th minute with a Lewis through ball to Repetto. Louro, however, just beat Repetto to the ball to prevent the Italian from getting a shot off. The Rowdies were quick to counter minutes later as Leo Fernandes was in a dangerous spot inside the box, but Di Rosa and Pat Hogan were able to intervene and disrupt the potential opportunity.
Tampa Bay struck first in the 63rd minute via a Lewis Hilton strike from outside the box, assisted by Dos Santos’ cross from the left corner. The Battery had handled the Rowdies’ movement well to keep the visitors at bay until that point. Charleston were eager to find an equalizer after going down 0-1, winning a pair of corners minutes later, yet were unable to convert. Tampa Bay were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd after William Antley was issued a red card following a dangerous challenge on AJ Paterson moments prior, flaring tempers between the sides. Leland Archer’s evening ended prematurely in the 86th minute when he was shown his second yellow card of the contest, making the game 10 versus 10. The Battery pressed on in stoppage time with a threatening look inside the box, but were unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle blew.
Battery Head Coach Michael Anhaeuser rendered his verdict on the night, knowing the match would be a battle.
“We knew it was going to be a little chippy, I thought we played a really good second half, but we just gave up that one counter and [Tampa Bay] got it in,” said Anhaeuser. “We knew we wouldn’t have many chances, but we had a couple good ones there. We just have to take advantage of it.
“We’ll regroup and put this one behind us, make sure we move forward.”
On regrouping, the team will have two more meetings with the Rowdies in the next month’s time to earn back the points.
“You just have to move on, I thought we did some good things and we’ll go back and watch [the game film], then make sure we come back because we have to play [Tampa Bay] two more times,” said Anhaeuser.
Josh Penn recognized the Battery’s opportunities throughout the night while crediting the Rowdies’ defensive performance.
“It was a very chippy, close contest, I thought we played well,” said Penn. “We had chances, possessed well at times, but we could have been more clinical in the final third. [Tampa Bay] defended really well, so they were able to nick a shot or block it.”
As the final division standings develop more with each game, Penn said the team knows they have a clear objective in earning a postseason spot.
“We’re still in the picture for the playoffs, we’re going to have to do some work, and say, ‘hey, let’s just buckle down,’” said Penn. “Now is really where we need to get going and I think we can make the playoffs. We win a few games, get on a streak and it’s going to keep going from there.”
The Battery will have a week on the training ground following Tuesday’s match before traveling to Kennesaw, Georgia, to face Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on September 15.
Inclement weather in Hartford region will see game be rescheduled for future date
TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced on Wednesday the scheduled match between Hartford Athletic and the Charleston Battery at Dillon Stadium on Wednesday night had been postponed to a future date due to inclement weather in the Hartford area.
A rescheduled date for the game to be played will be announced as soon as it is available.
It was a defensive showdown at Patriots Point as the Battery earned a point Saturday night in a 0-0 draw with Orange County SC. The offensive opportunities were slim through 90 minutes while a strong performance by the Battery back line and goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky kept the West Coast opponent off the scoresheet for a shutout.
The first half started with an early opportunity from Nicque Daley who worked his way into the box, trying to dribble through the Orange County defense, however he was unable to get a shot off. The visitors had a chance in the 13th minute when Sean Okoli took a right footed shot inside the box but his attempt was blocked by Patrick Hogan and cleared by AJ Paterson. The Battery looked to have pulled away in the 17th minute when Daley put the ball into the back of the net, until the referee indicated a handball in the build-up by Daley, nullifying the goal.
Ronaldo Damus had a good look on goal in the 19th minute for the visitors, but his attempt from outside the box went wide left of the net. Both defenses continued to stand strong as the half played out. The Battery had another opportunity in the 27th minute when Ben Di Rosa sent in the cross to Claudio Repetto in the box. Repetto, however, narrowly missed getting a good piece of the ball to put the header on goal. Both sides pressed forward as the half neared a close with Zeiko Lewis providing the hosts with three attempts in the final seven minutes with none converting. Possession for the half was about as even as the scoreline, with Orange County retaining the ball a slim majority of the time at 55%.
Play resumed with a similar slate of action as the first half as both defenses were unwilling to concede to their opposition. Daley again had the opening opportunity of the half with a shot from outside the box, assisted by Repetto, but his attempt was blocked. Damus had one of the more dangerous opportunities of the night. Coming off a corner kick, Damus’s right-footed strike would send the ball wide right, keeping things even. Damus again had a shot on target minutes later, but Joe Kuzminsky was there to deny the Haitian international with his first of three saves on the night.
The defensive standoff continued as the second half played out. Stavros Zarokostas, off the bench, was quick to provide opportunities for the Battery, firing a shot from long range which was blocked in the 73rd minute. DZ Harmon, also off the bench, provided looks for the Battery from the midfield. Harmon worked his way through Orange County’s defense for a shot from outside the box in the 79th minute, assisted by Lewis, that went wide right of the net. Although Charleston applied pressure towards the end of the regulation, Orange County’s defense was there to meet the challenge. Josh Penn won a late free kick to present a chance for the Battery, however the Black and Yellow could not convert the opportunity. The match concluded scoreless as Charleston finished the match with 10 men following a red card issued to Harmon in the closing minutes of regulation.
Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser gave his verdict on the evening’s proceedings, crediting the Battery’s defensive performance and Orange County’s stingy showing.
“Defensively we were solid and we were probably up against the fastest player in the league tonight, [Ronaldo Damus], he’s a handful,” said Anhaeuser. “You got to give credit to [Orange County], they never really let us get those chances and get our rhythm going. They kept the ball when they had to and, when it popped out, they seemed to win the 50/50s.
“We covered defensively and you get a shutout, you’re always happy about that.”
Anhaeuser commended Kuzminsky’s performance in goal, with the shot-stopper earning his fourth clean sheet of the season.
“When a goalkeeper gets a shutout, he’s happy, and we can build on that because we have to go into Hartford on Wednesday and get the job done,” said Anhaeuser.
Defender Leland Archer acknowledged the strong defensive performance while recognizing areas to work on ahead of the Hartford match Wednesday.
“I think we kind of missed chances to connect on that last final pass, we did well defensively and felt sharp,” said Archer. “It’s not three points, but it’s one point for us. We’ll take it and move on with it.”
With a quick turnaround between games, the Battery now focus their attention on facing Hartford for the second time in roughly two weeks.
“We’ll just focus, regroup and come right back out again Wednesday,” said Archer. “Right now, every game’s important, so we definitely need to keep the attitude up and bring that into every game moving forward.”
The single point placed Charleston in fourth in the Atlantic Division standings, a point ahead of both Charlotte and Hartford. The Battery will look to hold their position as they hit the road to face Hartford Athletic on September 1 at 7 p.m.
The Battery return home for a Saturday night meeting with Orange County SC set for August 28 at Patriots Point. Kickoff for the East Coast-West Coast showdown is 7:30 p.m. EST and is the first duel between the two sides since 2014.
The California club are not the only Golden State outfit to visit the Lowcountry this season, as LA Galaxy II will make the trip back in October following postponement of the original date. Orange County will be the second Western Conference opponent for Charleston after the Black and Yellow faced New Mexico United away in July.
Looking at the Conference tables, Orange County are second in the Pacific Division with a record of 8-7-5 (29 pts) and Charleston are fifth in Atlantic Division with a record of 8-7-3 (27 pts).
Orange County are coming off a 1-2 away victory over San Diego Loyal that was noteworthy for a few reasons. The win was the team’s first at San Diego in club history and the deciding goal came as an own goal minutes after Orange County equalized in the second half. The game was also the first under Interim Head Coach Richard Chaplow after previous boss Braeden Cloutier was relieved of his duties, per the club’s announcement on August 19. Saturday’s match will be Chaplow’s second with Orange County in his new role.
The Battery are looking to build on a 2-3 away victory over New York Red Bulls II last Saturday, August 20. The victory over New York was the first since July 23, 2016, also a 2-3 result at MSU Soccer Park. The Black and Yellow offense turned in a strong performance, scoring early and often in the first half which proved to make the difference. Appearing on the scoresheet were DZ Harmon, Josh Penn and Claudio Repetto. Geobel Perez registered a pair of crucial assists during the evening. The Battery defense held firm against an energized Red Bulls II team who managed to grab a late goal, but Charleston still walked away with the three points. Saturday is the first home match for the Battery since August 13.
Saturday’s marquee matchup will be the furthest distance traveled by Orange County for a game this season – roughly 2,500 miles separate Patriots Point and Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, California. Head-to-head, the Battery lead the all-time series 4-1-1 and won the last meeting 3-2, a brace by Dane Kelly helped lift Charleston on April 13, 2014.
Damus has commanded a dangerous presence in Orange County’s offense all season long, leading the club in scoring with 10 goals in 15 appearances. The 2019 League One Golden Boot winner has been efficient in getting onto the scoresheet, his 130 minutes per goal scored leads Orange County and is second only to Claudio Repetto’s 98.2 minutes per goal in Saturday’s matchup. Damus notched an equalizer and eight recoveries en route to Orange County’s 1-2 victory over San Diego, earning him USLChampionship.com Man of the Match honors. Expect the Haitian international to provide threatening opportunities during Saturday’s cross-country fixture.
Archer performed well in his return to the pitch after a three match absence and donned the captain’s armband once again. The center-back made his presence felt against the Baby Bulls with an eye-popping 13 clearances on the night. Archer also won all six of his duels, tallied nine recoveries and had a clutch goal-line block that kept New York from adding a second goal in the 80th minute. For the whole year, Leland has been hovering among the top in the league in clearances, currently tied for fifth with 77. Archer was the second-highest rated performer during the match against Red Bulls II, earning a rating of 8.1 (out of 10) by FotMob.com – look for him to build on that form come Saturday.
The Battery returned to Charleston on Sunday following their week away and practiced ahead of Saturday’s match at Patriots Point.
Head Coach Michael Anhaeuser said the emphasis this week has been recovery following the long road trip and reacclimating to playing in the Lowcountry again.
“It’s getting back into a rhythm of possession, moving the ball and getting back into being able to play at home back on our grass [since] we played two turf games,” said Anhaeuser.
Preparations began Tuesday for Orange County, who Anhaeuser noted have a potent blend of players that are capable of causing damage.
“[Orange County] are a very good, organized defensive team and they hit you on the counter with their pace and power up front,” said Anhaeuser. “They’re a solid team, they have experienced players and then they have some really good young players.”
Midfielder DZ Harmon mentioned the team is looking to build on the victory at New York ahead of Saturday’s match.
“Against New York we had a few chances and we took them, finishing our chances is going to be massive [against Orange County], just being comfortable on the ball and trying to keep it as much as we can,” said Harmon.
With the Battery returning home for the first match at Patriots Point since August 13, Harmon said the team is excited to play in front of the home fans again.
“It feels great to be home, it feels great to be back, we haven’t played here in a while,” said Harmon. “We’re excited and we know the fans are going to be excited as well, so we have to give them a good performance.
“[The fans have] a massive impact, just them cheering, yelling, it keeps us going. It’s positive energy.”
Harmon believes it will take a complete performance to secure three points against a tough Orange County side.
“Being good in every aspect of the game, defensively we’re trying to stay compact and not concede, and being more clinical in front of the goal to score more,” said Harmon.
As of posting, Temi Adesodun and Joel Bunting are questionable, and Jarad van Schaik, Logan Gdula, Nico Rittmeyer, and Mauro Cichero are out.
Charleston Battery vs. Orange County SC
Saturday, August 28 – 7:30 p.m. EST Kickoff
Patriots Point
Tickets are still available for Saturday’s match and can be purchased via SeatGeek here.
All Battery matches will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
Charleston got back in the win column Friday with a 2-3 victory over New York Red Bulls II. The five-goal thriller saw three goals scored in the first ten minutes, via DZ Harmon (2’), New York’s Mathias Jørgensen (5’), and Josh Penn (10’). Claudio Repetto scored the match-winning goal (44’) to hold off a late strike by Red Bulls II striker Serge Ngoma (90’+2). The victory was Charleston’s first against New York since 2016 and first this season after drawing the New Jersey side twice so far.
The first half was not short of action as the goals came early and often. DZ Harmon got the scoring started in the 2nd minute with a clinical header into the back of the net, assisted by Geobel Perez. New York were quick to respond, however, equalizing in the 5th minute via a Mathias Jørgensen shot from the right side of the box that went just over goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky’s reach. The Battery were eager to reclaim their lead and did so in the 10th minute when forward Josh Penn found the back of the net for the first time with Charleston.
Both teams continued to trade shots as the half progressed, both Perez (12’) and Penn (21’) had promising shots that were both saved by New York netminder Luca Lewis. Red Bulls II nearly equalized again when Omar Sowe worked his way into the box for a shot on Kuzminsky, but Kuzminsky got a strong hand on the shot to send it off the crossbar and out of bounds. Repetto added the third goal for the Battery towards the end of the half following a towering pass into the box by Frank Nodarse to Perez. Perez then sent a perfectly-placed header that Repetto buried into the back of the net. It was Geobel’s second assist of the night.
The Battery resumed play with much of the same energy as the 45’ priotr. Repetto and Paterson connected in the 50th minute inside the box but Claudio’s final touch was denied by a solid save from Lewis. New York came out with similar fire and found a groove in advances on offense during the first portion of the second half. Among the best opportunities for Red Bulls II came in the 62nd minute that saw Paterson take on three New York players on a counter attack. The Grenadian defender was undeterred, however, handling the Red Bulls II charge that resulted in a shot off target by Jeremy Rafanello, forced wide by Paterson’s defensive slide.
The Battery back line held firm despite New York’s high-octane press for much of the remaining minutes. Patrick Hogan came up with a crucial clearance in the 73rd minute and Leland Archer made a sensational goal line block in the 80th minute to keep Red Bulls II from scoring again. Both defenders made their returns to the starting lineup for the first time in three matches, but did not seem to miss a beat. The rain that came earlier in the match was resurrected in the final 15 minutes of the game, as the hosts got one back during stoppage time to pay off their persistence. Jake Lacava found Serge Ngoma and the 16-year-old striker finished it off with his first professional goal. The dying minutes played out and the Battery notched their first victory over Red Bulls II since 2016, also a 2-3 result at MSU Soccer Park.
Battery coach Dusty Hudock was proud of the team’s execution of the strategy during the victory.
“I thought it was a very good performance, I think we clearly have some things to work on, but that’s always the case,” said Hudock. “We stuck to a plan that Coach [Anhaeuser] put together and worked to get to the strikers quickly, we looked to get runners up the sides. That gave us several opportunities to score and you can’t ask for more than that.”
Joe Kuzminsky, Leland Archer and Patrick Hogan all appeared again in the starting lineup Friday for the first time in three matches, and Hudock credited their returns in enhancing Charleston’s performance.
“I think they did very well, but I think the midfield helped a lot too, in the last 15 or 20 of the first half, they all worked together, not letting balls go straight to the [opposing] strikers’ feet,” said Hudock. “We’re going to score a lot of goals because we’ve got skilled players in the back to protect us and then create opportunities to finish.”
Battery forward Josh Penn netted his first goal in the USL Championship in his first start with the Battery.
“It was exciting for me to get my first Championship goal, but more importantly, it was a hard fought three points on the road and never comes easy in this league,” said Penn. “We had a tough stretch coming from the loss at Hartford to here, but I think we responded well, so we’re all really glad to get the three points.”
Penn mentioned the weight his goal carried and how crucial it was for the team to respond to New York’s quick equalizer early in the match.
“That was definitely important because you have to respond to getting scored on,” said Penn. “So getting a quick goal and then a third one was a good momentum shift for us, it helped us close out the win.”
As important as tonight’s victory was, Hudock and the team know they must seize the momentum and continue stringing together victories as the playoff push intensifies.
“We’re always looking to win when we’re on the road or at home, I think we owe it to our fans to do that,” said Hudock. “Every game is crucial, so this game and the next game are as important as the first game. What we’re trying to do is get through some typical periods that we’ve gone through, as we get towards the end of the season, I think we’re going to be in good shape.”
The Battery take this win and return home Saturday, August 28, to face Orange County SC at Patriots Point. Tickets for the match are still available and fans can take advantage of $15 Club section tickets, 40% off, now through Sunday, August 22 – reserve your spot and secure your savings here.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
