Preview | Rhode Island FC vs. Charleston Battery

Presented by MUSC Health

Matchday Preview

The Charleston Battery head up the East Coast for a Saturday night clash with Rhode Island FC on April 6. Kickoff at Beirne Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game will stream on ESPN+.

Charleston and Rhode Island will play the inaugural fixture against each other this weekend as it is Rhode Island’s first season in the USL Championship.

The Battery (2W-0L-2D, 8 pts) enter the Ocean State following an undefeated month of March, most recently defeating Miami FC on the road, 1-2. Nick Markanich extended his goal-scoring streak to three matches and MD Myers bagged the winner to open his Battery account. The victory was Charleston’s first at Miami’s FIU Stadium.

Rhode Island (0W-1L-2D, 2 pts) return for their second-ever home game this weekend after completing a two-match away stand to close out March. RIFC suffered their first loss of the year in Week 4, a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Rhode Island led 0-1 at halftime but four goals by the hosts in the second half changed the story of the night in a hurry.

Looking at the Eastern Conference table, Charleston are currently placed third and Rhode Island are 11th.

Storylines of the Match

First Fixture of the Coastal Clubs – Saturday will be the first meeting between Charleston and Rhode Island, the latter kicked off their inaugural season in March as an expansion club in the Championship. The Battery will be RIFC’s fourth club they have ever faced after previous meetings with New Mexico United, Monterey Bay FC and Tampa Bay.

Goals Contributions from All – The Battery have seen goal contributions come from six different players through four matches. Nick Markanich leads the team with three goals and Arturo Rodriguez leads with two assists. Juan David Torres hasn’t been credited with an assist but his aggressiveness in the final third twice led to goals after his rebounded shots were redirected into the net.

New Team, Established Players – While Rhode Island are the new kids on the block, their roster boasts some formidable talent across the board. Chief among them is Albert Dikwa, the reigning Championship Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner. The squad also includes established talent in goalkeeper Koke Vegas, midfielder Conor McGlynn and forward JJ Williams, among others.

Stormy Seas Afoot – The Smithfield, Rhode Island, forecast for Saturday night calls for a balmy 33°F in addition to threats of rain and snow throughout the day. It remains to be seen how the inclement conditions could play a role when the teams kick off on the artificial turf at Beirne Stadium.

League Leaders in Charleston – A handful of Battery players are among the top in various stat categories around the league: Nick Markanich (T-2nd in goals; 1st in shots; T-2nd in chances created), Adam Grinwis (T-1st in clean sheets), Aaron Molloy (1st in passes; 1st in accurate passes per 90 minutes; 2nd in crosses), Arturo Rodriguez (T-2nd in assists; 1st in successful dribbles per 90 minutes), and Graham Smith (T-4th in clearances).

As a team, the Battery’s Expected Goals mark sits second in the Championship at 6.26xG and their Expected Goals Against mark is a league-best 2.16xGA.