Presented by MUSC Health
The Charleston Battery return home this weekend to host FC Tulsa on Sat., Sept. 23, in an Eastern Conference clash with playoff implications. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Tulsa clash for the second time in 2023 on Saturday. The two sides met back in April when the Battery secured a 1-2 victory in Oklahoma, with goals from Nick Markanich and Dante Polvara.
The Battery (15W-7L-8D, 53 pts) will look to build upon their four-game undefeated streak this weekend. Charleston played Loudoun United FC to a 2-2 draw on the road in their last contest. While the Battery likely deserved a victory, the comeback performance added to the side’s league-leading total of points won from a losing position (16).
Tulsa visit the Lowcountry following a 0-1 road win over Oakland Roots SC last weekend. The Oklahoma outfit were triumphant after an early goal from Phillip Goodrum that made the difference. Tulsa are currently fighting for survival in the hunt for the playoffs as they occupy the final spot to enter postseason play; they’re eighth in the conference standings and two points ahead of ninth-place Detroit City FC.
Augi Williams is a player to watch for Charleston. Williams scored the match-winner the last time Tulsa visited Charleston and will look to add to his team-leading 12 goals across all competitions.
Moses Dyer is one to keep an eye on for the visitors. Dyer, with three goals and four assists this season, will be tasked to lead Tulsa’s offense up top.
Tulsa will be without three players this weekend who are serving various yellow and red card suspensions sustained in their last match: Marcus Epps, Phillip Goodrum and Milo Yosef. The trio are Tulsa’s top goalscorers and have combined for 22 goals (roughly 65% of Tulsa’s league total) and 10 assists this year.
Charleston, on the other hand, will be without Nick Markanich (yellow card accumulation suspension) and Juan Sebastian Palma (red card suspension) on Saturday.
With a playoff spot already secured, Charleston will now look to secure a top-four finish in the four remaining games in the regular season. Finishing in the top four would guarantee the Battery a home playoff game in the first round.
The Battery will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Night at Patriots Point. Charleston’s current roster includes Hispanic representation from Mexico (Arturo Rodriguez, Fidel Barajas, Beto Avila), Colombia (Juan Sebastian Palma) and Ecuador (Emilio Ycaza).
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Head Coach Ben Pirmann and midfielder Fidel Barajas addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s match, with key quotes to follow.
Pirmann on the message to the team with playoffs secured but still plenty to play for…
We’re still focused on improving ourselves and making sure that we’re getting better. Every single day, exercise by exercise, moment by moment, just getting better and better. I thought our transition defending needed to improve against Loudoun, or sustaining the attacking half possession. We had organized defending but it’s in those moments to make our opponents suffer that we need to improve on. So, that’s the message right now, collectively as a team, we just need to get better every single day.
Pirmann on what to expect from Tulsa…
Tulsa have a very strong team there, they’re in a playoff position, right on that line, so they’re competing for a lot just like us. They’re very talented group, both teams will be missing some guys, but we need to be focused.
Tulsa have had three straight incredible results; beat San Antonio, tied Phoenix, beat Oakland on the road. They only conceded one time in those three games. So, we know that they will be a very tough team to break down, we know they can create a lot of chances and score some goals, it’s going to be really tough match.
Barajas on facing Tulsa for a second time…
They’re a very defensive team. So, we need to find the solutions in those moments. [Tulsa] are going to come back strong, so hopefully we can get another win. This week has been a very good week [in training]. Especially after a result that we didn’t want and we didn’t deserve the past weekend, but we’re just focusing on Saturday.
Barajas on this Saturday’s Hispanic Heritage Night celebration…
It’s really cool to have this month for the Hispanics, especially because my family and I are Mexican. Especially playing for the Mexican national team, it’s huge for me. Being away from home for a while and finally being back at home in front of the fans, we’re ready to show that we’re one of the best teams in this conference.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. FC Tulsa
Saturday, September 23 – 7:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Only a very limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday’s match and can be purchased via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
All Battery matches will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
