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Charleston Battery

Battery Host Memphis on Friday to Kick off May Homestand

May 5, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Battery return home to host Memphis 901 FC on Friday, May 6. Kickoff at Patriots Point is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Coinciding with National Nurses Day on May 6, the Battery and MUSC Health will be honoring local healthcare heroes throughout the evening for Healthcare Heroes Night.

Friday's match will be the first meeting between Charleston and Memphis since 2019. That year, the Battery won both games; 0-1 in Memphis and 2-0 in Charleston.

Memphis are coming off a 1-2 home loss against The Miami FC on Saturday. The result came after a triumphant 3-1 home victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies the preceding weekend. Miami got off to a quick start with a pair of goals within the first 11 minutes of the match, the first one coming via ex-901 FC forward Kyle Murphy. Memphis cut the deficit midway through the second half when Laurent Kissiedou found the back of the net. Miami, however, held firm to close out the victory, snapping a five-game undefeated run for Memphis.

The Battery will look to bounce back following a 2-1 away defeat against Birmingham Legion FC last Wednesday. Charleston, after going down 1-0 early, equalized in the 33rd minute via Aidan Apodaca. Augustine Williams picked out Apodaca inside the box with a perfectly-placed cross from near the byline, and Aidan buried the ball into the back of the net. The Battery were able to create chances throughout the night but Legion FC managed to find the match-winner in the second half.

Dominic Oduro could face his former club for the first time this year as the midfielder spent 2021 with 901 FC. Current Memphis midfielder Laurent Kissiedou, who was with the Battery in 2017, will have a chance to do the same from the opposite side of the equation.

Another set of former USMNT teammates will square off on Friday, in a way, with Head Conor Casey leading the Battery from the touchline and Tim Howard leading Memphis as the club's sporting director.

The trip to Patriots Point will be a first for Memphis, in a fixture that features two areas renowned for their barbecue cuisine - with Home Team BBQ representing Charleston at the stadium.

Ones to Watch

Memphis - Laurent Kissiedou

Kissiedou has been an important part of Memphis' season so far. The midfielder currently leads the club in chances created (11) and is tied for the lead in assists (three, with Jeremy Kelly). Kissiedou has been a regular piece in the Memphis lineup and is among eight players who have started all seven games. After tallying his first goal of the season last time out, expect Kissiedou to remain a key fixture for Memphis on Friday.

Charleston - Aidan Apodaca

Apodaca has continued to find ways to make an impact for the Battery during his first season in the Lowcountry. Aidan tallied the club's only goal against Birmingham, but also led the side with three key passes. Following the match, the forward found himself leading Charleston in chances created (eight) and tied for the lead in goals (two, with Mauro Cichero and Augustine Williams). Look for Apodaca, who is one of three players to appear in all seven games this season, to continue his productive form come Friday.

From the Training Ground

The Battery returned to training Saturday following a period of travel and recovery after the Birmingham match.

With the club passing the two-month mark of the season, Battery Head Coach Conor Casey gave his assessment of the squad's progression since the first day of preseason.

"I've seen a lot of progress in training and in how the team has come together," said Coach Casey. "The results haven't really been in our favor, but I think we've made a lot of progress. A lot of new players, new staff, new way of working, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time.

"It's time for us to start taking those things that we've seen in training and put that final product on the field."

The Battery have had a full week of training in preparing for Memphis and worked to make the most of the time.

"We spent a lot of time trying to connect those first couple passes and be clean with the ball, continuing to fine-tune the press," said Coach Casey. "We had some good moments in Birmingham where we won the ball and, in those transition moments, were cleaner with it so we could create chances."

Battery midfielder Dominic Oduro said the squad is looking forward to starting this next phase of the season and stringing together some positive results.

"We have been working hard, training hard, and getting a good review on what we've been trying to do," said Oduro. "As we approach the next part of the season, I think we are ready to win more games."

Oduro, who played for Memphis in 2021, is expecting a tough challenge with the visitors.

"Memphis is a really good team, we should approach this game like every other game," said Oduro. "We know they will come out strong and we are ready to face them."

The return home will be a welcome one for the squad and they will look to start the three-match home stand on the right foot.

"We're very excited to be back in front of our home crowd on Friday," said Coach Casey. "We've got a few games at home in a row which is good and we've got guys that are eager to perform."

As of posting, Preston Kilwien and DZ Harmon are questionable, and Enock Kwakwa, Kyle Holcomb, Matteo Ritaccio, and AJ Paterson are out. Brett St. Martin and Benji Ettienne return and will be available for selection again.

MATCH INFO

Charleston Battery vs. Memphis 901 FC

Friday, May 6 - 7 p.m. ET Kickoff

Patriots Point

HOW TO WATCH:

Tickets are available for Friday's match, but sections are selling out. Buy tickets for the game via SeatGeek.com.

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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