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USL Charleston Battery

Battery Looks to Continue Winning Ways against Ottawa Fury FC

May 18, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


Past the halfway point of their five-game home stand, the Charleston Battery (5-2-2; 17 pts) hosts Ottawa Fury FC (2-4-2, 8 pts) Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The Battery has put together five straight wins and are unbeaten in seven matches across all competitions.

Charleston's most recent win came Wednesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. Patrick Okonkwo's first professional goal helped the Battery defeat South Georgia Tormenta (PDL) FC, 1-0, at MUSC Health Stadium. Odisnel Cooper started in goal and earned the team's third shutout in four games. The Battery now moves on to the third round of the tournament where they'll host Elm City Express (NPSL) on Wednesday, May 23.

The Battery will be looking to continue their winning ways when they return to league play Saturday night against Ottawa. Charleston has won four straight USL matches, which has moved them into a tie on points with first place FC Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference.

Ataulla Guerra has been immense for the Battery amidst their winning streak, scoring three goals in his last four games. Guerra opened the scoring in the team's 2-1 win over Bethlehem Steel FC last weekend, notching his fifth goal which has him tied for second most in the league.

Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser has applauded his side's defensive effort during the seven-game unbeaten run. Charleston has only given up three goals in the seven games since the 5-2 defeat to New York Red Bulls II back in March. Joe Kuzminsky has earned three shutouts in his four starts this year, all of which have come during the unbeaten run.

Coming off of a pair of wins of their own, Ottawa will be carrying a little momentum into Saturday's match as well. The Fury beat Penn FC, 1-0, on the road before returning home last weekend to earn a 2-0 win over Atlanta United 2. Former Battery captain, Colin Falvey, led the Ottawa defense to back-to-back shutouts and earned a USL Team of the Week nod for his efforts.

Ottawa's three losses on the road this season came in their first three games. The Fury were outscored 10-1 in those matches before they returned home to pick up their first point of 2018 with a 1-1 draw with North Carolina FC. The win on the road in Pennsylvania last week was Ottawa's first win of the year.

The two sides each took a point from both of the meetings last season. The Battery came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw on the back of a Romario Williams brace in the last meeting between two teams at MUSC Health Stadium in April of 2017. None of the players that scored in the match will take part in Saturday's match.

A win on Saturday would tie the Battery's longest winning streak since 2013 at five and help them keep pace with the other teams at the top of the table. On the other side of the ball, Ottawa will be looking to add to their own winning streak and continue their climb out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 18, 2018


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