USL Charleston Battery

Match Preview: Charleston Battery at Nashville SC

Published on September 21, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charleston Battery News Release


The Charleston Battery (12-4-13) travels to First Tennessee Park to take on Nashville SC (10-9-9) Saturday night in their second match in four days.

The Battery earned a 1-1 draw with the Charlotte Independence Wednesday night at MUSC Health Stadium. Nico Rittmeyer scored in the 9th minute to give the Battery an early lead, but the visitors battled back to earn a point. The goal was Rittmeyer's fourth of the season.

With the draw, the Battery remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one point back of third-place Pittsburgh Riverhounds and two points back of second-place Louisville City FC. The match in Nashville is one of three remaining road games this season.

Nashville SC also enters Saturday's match on short rest. Nashville suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rowdies Tuesday night at First Tennessee Park. An own goal in the 69th minute cost Nashville a much-needed point as they try to play their way into the playoffs.

The USL newcomers are currently in eighth place, ten points behind the Battery, but just two points back of eighth-place New York Red Bulls II and seventh-place Ottawa Fury FC. A win on Saturday could put them in the the top eight depending on other results.

The Battery and Nashville last met on May 26 at MUSC Health Stadium. Nashville opened the scoring through a Liam Doyle free kick in the 25th minute, but Ataulla Guerra equalized in the 50th minute to help his side earn a point at home.

Charleston will be without Guerra for the third consecutive game when he serves the final match of his three-game suspension Saturday night. The Battery will have to find a way to attack one of the USL's best defenses without their leading goal-scorer and playmaker.

Rittmeyer, Patrick Okonkwo, and Ian Svantesson have stepped up in Guerra's absence. Rittmeyer and Okonkwo both found the back of the net and Svantesson registered two assists in the two matches Guerra has missed.

Saturday's match is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 PM EST. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+ and broadcast on MyTV Charleston.

Following the trip to Nashville, the Battery will return home for back-to-back matches at MUSC Health Stadium. They'll take on North Carolina FC on Wednesday, September 26 and Toronto FC II on Saturday, September 29 to round out a slate of four matches in eleven days.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 21, 2018


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