
Charleston
The Battery are searching for their third win in seven days Saturday night in Orlando. Charleston have never beaten Orlando City B since the team joined USL in 2015. Prior to that, the Battery beat Orlando’s U23s just once in the three years before OCB’s inception, culminating in a 1-11-5 overall record against teams from Orlando since 2011.
With the Battery regaining their early season form, now is as good a time as ever to earn three points in Orlando. Charleston picked up six vital points in five days in consecutive matches at MUSC Health Stadium. In the first of hte two home games, Heviel Cordoves scored a late goal to lift a 10-man Battery squad over Richmond.
Cordoves’ heroics continued in the Battery’s midweek match against the second-place Charlotte Independence. The Cuban striker scored two goals in Charleston’s 3-0 win, finishing chances created by Kotaro Higashi and Ricky Garbanzo. Garbanzo added a goal of his own as well to double his season total.
Romario Williams was suspended for the match against Charlotte after being sent off in the clash with Richmond last Saturday. Williams returns from suspension for the match in Orlando, but the Battery lose center back Forrest Lasso to yellow card accumulation. Williams was used as a second half substitute against OCB at MUSC Health Stadium in July as he had just returned from playing with the Jamaican National Team in the Gold Cup; Lasso helped the team to a shutout in the 0-0 draw.
Should the Battery take all three points in Orlando, they will secure a playoff spot. With the top eight teams in each conference qualifying, 50 points is good enough to earn a playoff berth at this point in the season. A win against OCB could also push the Battery into second place if Charlotte drops points in Tampa.
Orlando
Orlando enters Saturday’s match against the Battery looking to firm up their playoff positioning. OCB currently sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 36 points. There are several teams within striking distance behind them, including Bethlehem Steel FC who have two games in hand, making Saturday’s match huge for the hosts.
Orlando will be trying to stop a three game winless skid against Charleston this weekend. OCB only earned one point in their last three games, losing their last two to Saint Louis and Richmond, each by a 2-0 scoreline. Points have been hard to come by for Orlando playing in their home stadium. OCB only have two wins at Orlando City Stadium, but have managed eight draws. They’ve been solid defensively at home, only conceding 12 times in 13 games and giving up multiple goals in a game just three times.
Pierre Da Silva will be the player to watch for Orlando on Saturday. The tricky winger did not play when the two teams met in July, but is expected to have a big impact this time around. Da Silva is very dangerous with the ball at his feet and delivers quality service to his forwards. Look for him to pull the strings against the Battery.
Previous Meeting(s)
July 29, 2017 – MUSC Health Stadium – Charleston Battery (0) – Orlando City B (0)
Game Notes
Records
- Charleston: 13-7-8; goals 46; goals against 30; GD +16
- Home: 9-1-5; goals 31 ; goals against 12 ; GD +19
- Away: 4-6-3; goals 15; goals against; 18; GD -3
- Orlando: 8-8-12; goals 29; goals against 27; GD +2
- Home: 2-3-8; goals 13; goals against 12; GD +1
- Away: 6-5-4; goals 16; goals against 15; GD +1
Form
- Charleston: W | L | L | W | W
- Orlando: D | W | D | L | L
Statistical Leaders
- Charleston
- Goals: Romario Williams (15)
- Assists: Justin Portillo (6)
- Points: Romario Williams (32)
- Minutes: Taylor Mueller, Justin Portillo (2,520)
- Orlando
- Goals: Hadji Barry (8)
- Assists: Pierre Da Silva (7)
- Points: Hadji Barry (16)
- Minutes: Earl Edwards Jr. (1,980)