Presented by MUSC Health
The Charleston Battery are set to host Indy Eleven in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Sun., Oct. 22, the opening round of the USL Playoffs. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 4 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Indy met twice in the regular season, with the Indiana outfit winning the first match and then a draw in the second. The Battery have not beaten Indy since 2019 and will hope the third time is the charm for 2023 on Sunday.
Sunday will mark the first home playoff match for the Black and Yellow since 2018 and the first-ever USL Playoffs game played at Patriots Point. The Battery’s last appearance in the postseason was in 2020, when the club reached the conference semifinal.
Charleston are the No. 3 seed in the playoffs after posting a 17W-9L-8D (59 pts) record in the regular season. The Battery defeated Birmingham Legion FC in the regular season finale, 1-0. Nick Markanich scored the winner in the first half, his 11th goal across all competitions in 2023. Charleston’s 17 wins set a new record for the club in the USL Championship regular season.
Indy enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed following a 13W-11L-10D (49 pts) mark in the regular season. The Indiana capital club ended the regular season on a three-match unbeaten run, playing the defending champions, San Antonio FC, to a dramatic 3-3 draw. Indy will be looking to bring their strong form with them for their first postseason appearance since 2019.
Nick Markanich is a player to keep an eye on for the Battery. Markanich had two goals in his last three matches of the regular season and will look to make his mark in his USL Playoffs debut.
Sebastian Guenzatti is one to watch for Indy. The skipper was Indy’s top goalscorer (11) this year and was the player who drew the early foul and red card the last time Indy visited the Lowcountry.
The Battery’s Fidel Barajas will be available for selection again after missing the regular season finale while on international duty with the Mexican U-17 national team.
Indy will be without Solomon Asante after the two-time USL Championship MVP picked up a red card in their finale, meaning his suspension will be served on Sunday.
As for the road ahead after Sunday, the winner at Patriots Point will play the winner of the Tampa Bay-Birmingham quarterfinal. The playoff bracket is fixed and does not include re-seeding after the rounds.
Fans attending Sunday’s game can expect a special-edition “Protect the Point” rally towel giveaway. The first 2,000 people through the gates, which open at 2 p.m. ET, will receive a rally towel.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Head Coach Ben Pirmann and forward Augi Williams addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s match, with key quotes to follow.
Pirmann on how this week compares to the regular season…
We try to replicate most things that we’ve done throughout the season, we want to constantly improve and have that growth mindset. But, also balancing it with the fact that you win or you go home. Seasons and careers are over if you don’t advance. So, there’s pressure there but I think that concept makes players focus a little bit more and hopefully execute at the highest level possible.
Pirmann on what to expect from Indy in the third matchup against them…
We know Indy are very good in the build-up and they get a lot of numbers centrally to break those lines. They’re one of the best teams in the entire league at provoking the defense out, getting them unbalanced to create numbers going forward. They can go direct if they need to, but they’ve got a really clear identity. We’re playing one of the hottest teams in the league, one of the most talented teams.
Williams on the mentality of the squad going into Sunday’s playoff fixture…
It’s been a great mindset, we’re trying to get things ramped up in training. Everyone’s on a positive note, we’re looking forward to Sunday and working extremely hard, just waiting for that day to come. We’re just taking things the same way, there’s a lot of adrenaline because now it’s do or die, go hard or go home.
Williams on facing an Indy team that won the first matchup at Patriots Point…
Being home, it’s an advantage for us and we’re excited for that. But, it’s about whoever brings their A-game that day and we have to make sure that we’re ready for that. There are moments in the game where things can be going your way and there are moments where you have to take advantage of. They’re a very, very familiar team, we’ve played them twice already. We’ve been here before, they had success at our home and then we had a tough time playing them away, but now we understand them more than before and we know they’re a very tough team.
MATCH INFO
Eastern Conference Quarterfinal
Charleston Battery vs. Indy Eleven
Sunday, October 22 – 4 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Only a very limited number of tickets are still available for Sunday’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.
The game will also be available to listen to on SiriusXM FC, channel 157.
