CHARLESTON, SC – The Charleston Battery welcomes USL newcomers Bethlehem Steel FC to MUSC Health Stadium for the first time in history Saturday night.
Despite losing back-to-back games for the first time in 2016 this week, the Battery are still in the hunt for a top four place in the Eastern Conference. Charleston dropped 2-1 decisions to Rochester at home and FC Montreal on the road this past week, but are still in the race to host a first round playoff game.
The Battery are currently in seventh place with 42 points, four off of third place FC Cincinnati and three off of fourth place Charlotte Independence. With Richmond and Rochester also above them in the table, Charleston will need some help from other teams to finish in the top four.
The first step in earning a top four finish is defeating Bethlehem on Saturday. The two teams drew, 0-0, in the last meeting in Pennsylvania in April. Shawn Ferguson earned USL Team of the Week honors for his defensive efforts in the match.
Bethlehem is also looking to move up in the table to earn a playoff berth in their first season in the league. Steel FC is currently in 11th place, five points behind Orlando City B who hold the eighth and final playoff position. Bethlehem only have six wins on the year and haven’t picked up a win since July 14th.
Following tomorrow’s match with Bethlehem, the Battery travels to Richmond for a third and final match with the Kickers. Charleston will then return home and play hosts to league-leaders New York Red Bulls II in the final match of the season.
