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USL Charleston Battery

Battery Host Rivals Tampa Bay in Saturday Showdown at Patriots Point

September 9, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Battery will host Southeast rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, September 10. Kickoff for the match at Patriots Point is slated for 7 p.m. ET.

Charleston and Tampa Bay have become familiar adversaries over the years. The most recent meeting came earlier this season in St. Petersburg, a 1-1 draw. The Black and Yellow, after going down a goal in the first half, battled back to score an equalizer in the second half via Augustine Williams. The point earned by the Battery came after Tampa Bay won all four fixtures between the clubs in 2021.

Tampa Bay arrive in the Lowcountry after dismantling Las Vegas Lights FC 6-1 at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies flexed their offensive prowess with five different players finding the back of the net. Leo Fernandes scored twice, raising his team-leading goal count to 15. The Florida club are vying for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are four points behind leaders Louisville City FC.

The Battery remain home after a dominant 3-0 win over New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. Aidan Apodaca scored midway through the first half and Romario Piggott added a second shortly after from the penalty spot. The match was put to rest in the final minutes by leading scorer Augustine Williams, his 14th goal of the season. Williams' tally also set a new career-high for goals in a season.

Fernandes, who scored in the first meeting, is the player to watch for Tampa Bay. In addition to being Tampa Bay's top scorer, he has filled in for Sebastian Guenzatti as the team's most potent threat - tallying the most assists (seven) and the second-most chances created (49).

Andrew Booth is one to keep an eye on for the Battery. Although entering the match off the bench, Booth made an immediate impact against New York. The Jamaican midfielder registered four key passes and assisted Williams' goal, along with two duels won and one tackle won, in less than a half-hour of play.

Robbie Crawford is poised to reach the half-century mark of Battery appearances on Saturday. He currently sits at 49 matches played since first arriving in 2020.

Saturday will also determine the winner of the No Quarter Derby, a supporter group-led rivalry between the fans that spans the season series. Supporters of the winning team will receive a cooler chest full of beers from the fans of the losing team.

The club is also celebrating Military Appreciation Night, with presenting partner Hendrick Volvo Cars of Charleston. All active duty, reserve and retired military members, Department of Defense professionals and their families will be celebrated throughout the night.

A limited number of complimentary tickets will be available for military members and their families courtesy of the night's community partners

FROM THE TRAINING GROUND

The Battery returned to training on Tuesday following a period of recovery during Labor Day weekend.

Head Coach Conor Casey and defender AJ Paterson addressed the upcoming duel with Tampa Bay following the victory over New York, with key quotes to follow.

Coach Casey on the message to the team this week...

To continue on with how we've been the last month or so. I think the team has been in a good place, we've set some short-term goals and we reached both of those goals the last two games. One was to keep a clean sheet and the other was to score back-to-back goals. So, just really concentrating on those few things to give us small gains as we try to finish the season strong.

Coach Casey on what to expect from Tampa Bay in the second meeting with them...

We had a good performance last time, we played them away, very gutsy performance and it's going to take that same kind of grit here at home to be able to get points from them. They're a very good team, they've been one of the best teams in the league for a couple of years now. We'll have to be up for the task.

Coach Casey on what he sees Saturday coming down to...

I think the match will come down to our ability to defend in a few moments when Tampa Bay throw numbers forward and how we're able to deal with those individual moments. Then, just being on the front foot, coming out with the right energy and being able to hurt them in transitions. I want us to defend well, then transition forward and create chances.

Paterson on past matches between Charleston and Tampa Bay...

It's always a tough game against Tampa Bay, they're a very well-organized and well-structured team. They come with intensity, possess the ball very well and they're very dangerous in attack. So, we have to be aware of that.

Paterson on the mindset within the squad following the victory...

I think we're ready, coming off back-to-back shutouts, coming off a big win at home. Everyone's happy, ready to go and give another good performance. This is a big opportunity for us to get back-to-back wins, and back-to-back home wins, at that.

Paterson on making the most of the three remaining home games...

We've had great support all season here at home, regardless of the results. If we can come out and beat a good team like Tampa Bay, it'll set us up to finish the season strong. Having only three left, it makes each one more important.

As of posting, Brett St. Martin is questionable; Charlie Asensio, Joe Schmidt and Joe Kuzminsky are out. Newly-signed midfielder Fidel Barajas returned to training with the Battery in the latter half of the week after spending time at a Mexico U-17 national team training camp.

MATCH INFO

Charleston Battery vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday, September 10 - 7:00 p.m. ET Kickoff

Patriots Point

HOW TO WATCH:

Tickets are available for Saturday's match and can be purchased via SeatGeek.com, the Battery'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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