The Battery head to Ottawa for a midweek battle with Ottawa Fury FC on Wednesday, June 26th at 7:00 PM. It is the second meeting between the two teams after Ottawa visited Charleston for the Battery’s home opener on March 9th.
Wal Fall, Christiano Francois, and Carl Haworth were on the scoresheet for Ottawa in their 3-3 draw against Nashville SC on Saturday night.
Nashville’s Daniel Rios scored the opening goal of the match before Ottawa captain, Carl Haworth, brought the visitors level just before the halftime whistle. It was Haworth’s second of the season, lifting a beautiful free-kick over the Nashville wall from twenty-two yards out.
The second half saw four goals split amongst the teams with Wall Fall scoring the final and tying goal in the 81st minute. Fall converted on his attempt after getting Nashville’s Matt LaGrassa to bite on a fake shot before curling a shot past Matt Pickens at the far post.
The Battery split points with Swope Park Rangers in their last match to remain unbeaten at home on the season and extend their unbeaten streak at MUSC Health Stadium to nine games.
The Battery controlled the first forty-five minutes but were unable to convert on their chances and went into the break tied, 0-0. Romario Piggott, who scored his second goal in three matches, found a breakthrough in the 62nd minute. Jarad van Schaik’s dangerous ball into the box found Piggott who controlled the pass before netting his attempt past Adrian Zendejas.
Swope Park youngster Felipe Hernandez scored in the 82nd minute, his 6th of the season. Hernandez received a pass near the top left corner of the box and cut the ball into his right foot, his shot beating Joe Kuzminsky off the post and into the back of the net.
Previous Meeting
Charleston and Ottawa played to a 1-1 draw on the opening night of the 2019 season at MUSC Health Stadium.
Kevin Oliveira put the visitors up 1-0 in the 5th minute after creating the chance off a Battery turnover in the midfield. Oliveira found captain Carl Haworth who found space in the box before cutting back and playing a pass into Oliveira who continued his run.
Ian Svantesson would level things for the Battery in the 65th minute. Tah Brian Anunga would slip a pass through the Ottawa defense to find Kotaro Higashi who took a touch in the box and forced a save from David Monsalve. Monsalve was unable to control the shot and Svantesson was first to the rebound for an easy tap in.
What to Watch For
Mour Goals? – Mour Samb leads a much improved Ottawa Fury team with six goals and four assists in twelve appearances for the Canadian club this season. Samb joined the Fury prior to the start of the 2019 USL Championship season after a successful showing in preseason trials.
Samb has been fantastic in attack this season with his goal and assist numbers tied for fourth best in the Eastern Conference. The Senegalese international isn’t afraid to let his shots fly, tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference (32).
Big Bosua – Arthur Bosua has made 13 USL Championship appearances in his first season with the Battery and will be called upon to lead the attack Wednesday with forward Ian Svantesson serving a suspension. Bosua has three goals and one assist on the season, scoring in back to back games earlier this year (Louisville, Birmingham). Bosua is converting on 21.4% of his shot attempts and his assist against the Rowdies helped rescue a point against the Eastern Conference leaders.
Coaches Corner
Mike Anhaeuser
“We wanted to make sure we were okay this week in training, getting the guys back out and moving. We’re still going to be without a few guys for our trip to Ottawa. Ottawa is a great team and they are playing well. They have the ability to defend and attack with Francois and Haworth. Haworth has been fantastic with his free kicks this season so we are going to have to limit those chances.”
Ottawa Fury FC: USL Championship Record, 6-2-6 (Home:4-1-2)
Team Leaders
Goals: Samb (6)
Assists: Samb (4)
Chances Created: Haworth (29)
Saves: Irving (25)
Cleansheets: Irving (4)
Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 5-3-7 (Away:1-3-2)
Team Leaders
Goals: Lewis, Svantesson (4)
Assists: Higashi, Lewis, Woodbine (2)
Chances Created: Lewis (22)
Saves: Kuzminsky (36)
Cleansheets: Kuzminsky (3)