USL Charleston Battery

Charleston Battery Hosts New York Red Bulls II

Published on August 23, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


The Charleston Battery (11-4-10) takes on New York Red Bulls II (9-7-9) in a rematch of last year's USL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium.

The Battery enters the match looking to bounce back from its first loss in over two months which came at the hands of first-place FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium last Saturday. Emmanuel Ledesma's 21st minute goal was the first scored against the Battery in 473 minutes of play. The loss snapped Charleston's season-high eleven game unbeaten streak and extended FC Cincinnati's unbeaten streak to thirteen.

Despite the loss, the Battery remains tied on points with Louisville City FC for third place in the Eastern Conference, two point behind second-place Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Pittsburgh and Louisville both have multiple games in hand on the Battery.

The Battery were shut out for the third time in four matches last weekend at Nippert Stadium. They've scored just one goal in their previous four games, but will have the opportunity to attack a heavy-legged New York side that has kept just three clean sheets all season Saturday night.

New York enters the match coming off of a dramatic 2-2 draw with North Carolina FC at MSU Soccer Park on Tuesday night. Red Bulls II lost one-goal leads twice in the match and had a player sent off in the 69th minute. With Ben Mines ejected and the hosts playing down a man, North Carolina were able to score their second equalizer of the night through substitute Ulrich Ewolo in the 90th minute to earn a draw.

Jose Aguinaga and Lucas Stauffer scored against NCFC bringing Red Bulls II's goal tally to a league-high 54 this season. Seventeen different players have scored for New York this season. Amando Moreno and Brian White lead the Red Bull attack with nine and eight goals respectively.

Despite their high-powered offense, New York has only scored eleven goals in their eleven games away from home this season. They've been shut out three times and have a -8 goal differential on the road. The young side is winless outside of New Jersey in 2018 and will face a tough test Saturday night against the Battery who are 8-1-3 at home.

The last time the Battery gave up multiple goals in a game at MUSC Health Stadium was the team's 4-0 loss to New York in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals last October. Since that game, Charleston's goals against average at home is 0.41 goals per game. The Battery have earned seven of their twelve clean sheets at home this season.

The Battery's 5-2 loss to New York in March was a turning point for Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. Following the loss, Anhaeuser changed his side's shape and sured things up defensively; however, Red Bulls II will come into MUSC Health Stadium Saturday night and pressure deep into the Battery's defensive third regardless of personnel or formation.

Three points will be crucial to either side as the season winds down towards the playoffs. With just seven points between them and nine matches left to play, seventh-place New York is well within striking distance of the fourth-place Battery. Charleston plays five of its final nine matches at home, while Red Bulls II will hit the road for six of their last nine. With a Friday night match at Louisville City FC looming, Anhaeuser and the Battery will be pushing hard for three points at home Saturday night.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 23, 2018


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