
Presented by MUSC Health
Matchday Preview
The Charleston Battery kick off their 2024 campaign away against North Carolina FC on Sat., March 9. Kickoff at WakeMed Soccer Park is 7 p.m. ET.
The marquee opener for the new USL Championship season, Saturday’s contest pits the defending Eastern Conference Title-Holders, Charleston, against the reigning USL League One winners, North Carolina.
This weekend’s Carolina clash also sees the reintroduction of the supporter-led Southern Derby, which was first contested in 2000, after a two-year pause following NCFC’s return to the Championship. The winner is decided by the most points gained from both regular season matches, goal difference is the first tiebreaker. Charleston are the most successful club with nine wins, NCFC have four wins (including three during their Carolina RailHawks era).
In the last five meetings between the Battery and NCFC, Charleston hold a 3W-0L-2D record. Charleston won the most recent fixture, a 0-3 triumph at WakeMed Soccer Park in 2020.
A player to watch for the Battery is Mark Segbers. Regarded as one of the top full-backs in the Championship, Segbers had his first full preseason with the team after joining the mix late last year and is due to be a key contributor for the Battery.
Rodrigo Da Costa is one to keep an eye on for NCFC. Da Costa was one of the many big offseason moves for the Cary club and was top-10 in goals scored and chances created in 2023.
Storylines of the Match
New Year, New Crew – The Battery’s 2024 squad features several new faces in every position group. In fact, 10 of the 19 players are new to Charleston after joining during the offseason and preseason. The new-look squad looked to make the most of their preseason in building chemistry, which culminated in a 1-3 win over Greenville Triumph SC in the preseason finale.
Young Guns in Attack – Similar to the 2023 squad, the Battery lean toward being one of the younger teams in the league and the attacking corps is no exception. No one in the group is over 25 years old: Jackson Conway (22), Diego Gutierrez (25), Jake LaCava (23), Nick Markanich (23), MD Myers (22).
Year Two for Pirmann – Last year’s campaign was a historic one with Ben Pirmann at the helm. The club set numerous club and league records, including the team’s most wins in a USLC season and the greatest points turnaround in league history. With the triumphs of last season in the rearview mirror now, he and the Battery will look to forge more success in his second year as head coach.
Road Warriors to Start 2024 – Charleston’s opening two games are away from home, the first time they’re kicking off a season on the road since 2021. Away days were where the Battery thrived last year as they posted the league’s best away record in 2023.
Regional Rivalry Reborn – The Southern Derby makes a sensational return to the American soccer scene now that the Battery and NCFC are competing against each other in the Championship. It also brings about the Battery’s shortest road trip of the league season, about a four-and-a-half-hour drive between Charleston and Cary.
Milestone Men – A few Battery players enter the 2024 season nearing career milestones. Leland Archer is 15 matches from 150 total appearances with the club and Robbie Crawford is 12 games away from 100 total appearances for the club.
USL Championship Debuts – Three newcomers could potentially make their USL Championship debuts in addition to their Battery debuts: Diego Gutierrez, MD Myers and Juan David Torres.
From the Training Ground
Head Coach Ben Pirmann, defender Mark Segbers and forward Nick Markanich addressed the media to discuss the upcoming match:
MATCH INFO
North Carolina FC vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, March 9 – 7 p.m. ET Kickoff
WakeMed Soccer Park
HOW TO WATCH:
Saturday’s match will stream for free on the CBS Sports Golazo Network! The Golazo Network channel can be accessed for free via your Paramount+ app, the PlutoTV app, the CBS Sports app or on the channel’s website.