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USL Charleston Battery

Battery Face Indy at Patriots Point on Saturday

June 3, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Battery are back home to face Indy Eleven on Saturday, June 4. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game is the first of two-straight home matches for the Battey to open up the new month.

Charleston and Indy have not squared off since 2019 and Saturday will be the Indiana club's first visit to Patriots Point. Last time the Boys in Blue visited Charleston, the Battery won 1-0 on a match-winning goal by Romario Piggott on September 9.

Indy will be searching for a bounce-back performance after losing 1-2 at home against New Mexico United on Saturday. New Mexico got on the board first in the 38th minute when Justin Portillo fired in a strike from outside the box to take the lead into halftime. The visitors were aided by an Indy own goal after a backward pass from Alex McQueen went through Mechack Jérôme's step and into their own net. Stéfano Pinho got one back for the hosts in the 80th minute, but it was too little too late for Indy.

Charleston are looking to build on a dramatic 1-1 draw against Loudoun United FC last Saturday. Both sides had a flurry of chances through the hour mark but the match remained scoreless until Loudoun found the back of the net via Alexander Dexter in the 76th minute. Loudoun were reduced to 10 men after Rio Hope-Gund received a red card and was sent off moments later. In stoppage time, it was goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky who rose to the occasion to level the game after the shot-stopper has moved into the box for a corner kick. Kuzminsky's goal was just the second goalkeeper goal in USL Championship history. After the match, Head Coach Conor Casey praised his side for their best performance of the season. The Black and Yellow will try to carry that momentum into Saturday.

Indy Eleven are home to a pair of former Battery players, A.J. Cochran and Neveal Hackshaw. Hacksaw, who played three seasons in Charleston, will miss Saturday's contest while on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League.

Speaking on national teams, Grenada would be well-represented in this fixture in Charleston's Benji Ettienne and AJ Paterson, and Indy's Alex McQueen, but all three are currently with the Spice Boys for the country's upcoming Nations League matches.

Dating back to 2018 when Indy joined the USL Championship, the Battery lead the all-time series with a 2-1-1 record against the Boys in Blue.

Ones to Watch

Indy - Stéfano Pinho

Pinho is currently Indy's top goalscorer with five tallies and a team-high 20 shots. He additionally is the co-leader in assists with two and the leader in duels won with 58. The Brazilian forward scored Indy's lone goal in their last match after some impressive build-up play along the right side and was assisted by newly-signed Solomon Asante. Indy boast plenty of prowess on offense, expect their frontman, Pinho, to play a key role at Patriots Point on Saturday.

Charleston - Kyle Holcomb

Holcomb signed with the Battery earlier in the season and made his debut against Loudoun. The ex-Charlotte FC draft pick put on a strong display in the match and was regularly active in Loudoun's defensive third. On the day, Holcomb tallied two shots on target, two successful dribbles, six duels won and completed 77% of his passes. As Kyle becomes integrated into the offense more since making his return, look for him to bring plenty of energy to the pitch.

From the Training Ground

The Battery returned to training on Tuesday following a period of travel and recovery after the Loudoun match. The team will look to build on the solid performance in their return home.

Assistant Coach Chris Duvall said the squad is working to transition that form from last weekend into this Saturday.

"We were able to make some in-game adjustments that allowed us to press more effectively and establish more possession in the attacking third through our press," said Coach Duvall. "The fight from the guys to come back from a little bit of disappointment from conceding a late goal and to save a point I think is something that we can definitely build off of."

Coach Duvall expects a competitive matchup with the visitors.

"Indy Eleven are a bit interesting, historically, they've been a very strong team in this league," said Coach Duvall. "They're a very direct team and it will be a game that will really be about our individual battles."

Battery midfielder DZ Harmon said it has been a quality week of preparations ahead of Indy's arrival.

"Training has been great, we've been trying to increase our speed of play, change a few things, and it's been going well," said Harmon. "I think we moved the ball well [against Loudoun], we played with a lot intensity and we're just trying to build on that."

Harmon discussed his return to action after missing some games due to injury.

"I've been feeling pretty good, just trying to get back out there more and help the team anywhere I can," said Harmon. "Everyone his having a positive mindset and I'm just trying to add to that."

Come Saturday night, Coach Duvall believes the match will come down to which side handles the challenges of the evening the best.

"I think for this weekend, it's about overcoming a little bit of adversity," said Coach Duvall. "It's about showing up to the occasion, being up for the fight and ready to take three points at home to provide these fans with something they've been waiting for."

As of posting, Hugo Fauroux and Joe Schmidt are questionable, and Joe Kuzminsky, Patrick Hogan, Enock Kwakwa, and Matteo Ritaccio are out.

DZ Harmon is available for selection again after serving a one-match suspension for a red card that caused him to miss the Loudoun game

MATCH INFO

Charleston Battery vs. Indy Eleven

Saturday, June 4 - 7:00 p.m. ET Kickoff

Patriots Point

HOW TO WATCH:

Tickets are available for Saturday's match, but sections are starting to sell out. Buy tickets for the game via SeatGeek.com, the club's exclusive digital ticketing provider.

All Battery matches will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league's YouTube channel for free internationally.

Check out the Charleston Battery Statistics

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