Rivalries revisited and returning foes slated for the Battery’s 2021 regular season.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Charleston Battery took another step toward the 2021 regular season Tuesday as the USL Championship announced its league alignment for the upcoming season. The league will feature 31 teams across four divisions and two conferences. The Battery will compete in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
Charleston renew rivalries with 2020 Group H foes Tampa Bay Rowdies and Miami FC, and welcome new opponents to the 2021 campaign with Charlotte Independence, Hartford Athletic, Loudoun United FC, New York Red Bulls II and fellow black-and-yellow side Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC rounding out the new Atlantic Division.
The league’s four divisions are aligned across the country creating the Atlantic, Central, Mountain and Pacific Divisions. The Atlantic and Central Divisions will comprise the Eastern Conference, while the Mountain and Pacific Divisions will set up the Western Conference.
“To be able to play a few more teams is going to be exciting, and still play Tampa Bay and Miami, these rivals that we’ve had the past few years,” said Head Coach Michael Anhaeuser. “And getting back to playing Pittsburgh, New York Red Bulls, Hartford, we’re really excited.”
During the regular season, the Battery will face Atlantic Division opponents four times – twice home, twice away. In addition, the four remaining games will be played against regional or cross-conference opponents.
As previously announced by the league, the Championship’s regular season will kick off on or about May 1st, with a flexible date range between April 24th and May 15th reserved to allow for clubs to begin play.
