The Charleston Battery (6-1-1) enter Saturday’s match against the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-3-2) in first place in the Eastern Conference for the fourth consecutive week. Including Wednesday’s Open Cup match, the Battery are unbeaten in their last six games, winning five and drawing one.
Goals from Forrest Lasso and Jeffery Otoo lifted Charleston to a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks at Silverbacks Park Wednesday afternoon. Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser rotated his squad for the US Open Cup. Skylar Thomas, Ryan Arambula, Ricky Garbanzo, and Otoo made their first starts of the season in the match.
The competition changed, but the results remained the same for Lasso who scored his fifth goal from a set piece this season against Atlanta. The goal was Lasso’s second in as many games. The 6-5 center back scored the game’s only goal in Charleston’s 1-0 win over Saint Louis a week ago.
Otoo got on the end of a Ricky Garbanzo cross late in the first half to double the Battery’s advantage. Otoo’s eventual game-winner was the first goal of his career with Charleston.
Harrisburg also had success midweek, defeating the Ocean City Nor’Easters at Cary Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey Wednesday night. The City Islanders defeated Ocean City 6-5 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes.
The 0-0 draw in Jersey was the City Islanders’ second in a row. Harrisburg drew with the Richmond Kickers last weekend at City Stadium in Virginia. The City Islanders haven’t scored a goal since their 3-1 loss to New York Red Bulls II on May 6th.
Previous Meeting
Charleston won both meetings between the two sides last season. Goals from Romario Williams, Forrest Lasso, and Austin Savage propelled the Battery to a 3-2 win at FNB Field in 2016. Paul Wilson scored both of Harrisburg’s goals in the match.
Game Notes
Records
Charleston: 6-1-1; goals 17; goals against 7; GD +10
- Home: 4-1-1; goals 12 ; goals against 5 ; GD +7
- Away: 2-0-0; goals 5; goals against; 2; GD +3
Harrisburg: 2-3-2; goals 6; goals against 8; GD -2
- Home: 1-0-1; goals 4; goals against 3; GD +1
- Away: 1-3-1; goals 2; goals against 5; GD -3
Statistical Leaders
Charleston:
- Goals: Romario Williams (6)
- Assists: Justin Portillo (5)
- Points: Romario Williams (13)
Harrisburg:
- Goals: Aaron Wheeler (2)
- Assists: Jonathan Mendoza (1)
- Points: Aaron Wheeler (4)
Previous Match
Charleston Battery vs Atlanta Silverbacks (W | 2-1, Silverbacks Stadium)
- Charleston goals: Forrest Lasso (19), Jeffery Otoo (43)
- Atlanta goals: Alex Harlley (73)
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Ocean City Nor’Easters (D [6-5 pen] | Carey Stadium)
- Harrisburg goals: none
- Ocean City goals: none
