Presented by MUSC Health
Matchday Preview
The Charleston Battery are back home on Sat., June 21, to host Phoenix Rising FC. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the match will stream on ESPN+ and air locally on Palmetto Sports Network.
Saturday is the first and only time Charleston and Phoenix will meet in the regular season. Last year’s contest in Arizona ended in a scoreless stalemate.
Charleston (9W-3L-1D, 28pts) return home after a grueling two-game away stand over the past week. After securing a 1-2 road win at Hartford on Saturday, Charleston fell 1-0 away at Miami. The Battery had their chances during the match but were unable to overcome the hosts’ lone goal. It was the first league loss for the Battery since March.
Phoenix (5W-3L-5D, 20pts) arrive in the Lowcountry after a 1-1 road draw with FC Tulsa. Rising FC got off to an early lead via Ihsan Sacko at the quarter-hour mark. However, a late equalizer by Arthur Rogers forced the points to be shared in Tulsa. Phoenix are currently unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions.
Looking at the respective tables, Charleston are second in the Eastern Conference and Phoenix are fourth in the Western Conference.
Storylines of the Match
2023 USL Championship Final Rematch – Arguably the most prominent storyline of the night is this game being the first meeting between Charleston and Phoenix at Patriots Point since the sides met in the 2023 USL Championship Final. The match was played to a 1-1 draw after extra time and Phoenix claimed the title via the penalty shootout. It will be a night of high anticipation for the home fans seeking redemption for that one November night.
All-Time Series – Historically, the series between Charleston and Phoenix has been relatively even. The Battery hold a 1W-0L-3D record against Phoenix in the four all-time meetings since 2014, as the 2023 Final is officially recorded as a draw. The lone victory in the series came in 2014, a 2-0 home win for Charleston.
Phoenix Are Rising – Charleston will be hosting an in-form Phoenix side who have been playing the best they have all season. After a slow start out of the gate, winless in their first four games, Phoenix have been hitting their stride, ascending to fourth in the conference while being undefeated in their last seven Championship matches, and averaging two goals per game their last five contests.
Looking to Bounce Back – The Battery saw two impressive streaks come to a close on Wednesday. One was their undefeated run of nine consecutive league games, and the other was their mark of 17 consecutive games with a goal scored in league play. But where one streak ends, an opportunity opens to start a new one, and Charleston will be aiming to do that this weekend.
Archer Makes XI Return – While Wednesday’s result was not as desired, the Battery did receive a boost from the return of Leland Archer to the starting lineup. The skipper had been out since April 26 and his return to the XI was a noteworthy development as the season approaches the middle stages.
Only June Home Match – The Battery have been racking up their airline miles in June with three away matches already played, but now return home for the sole game at Patriots Point in June. The four away days in June are the most of any month for the Battery this season.
Torres Top Creator – After Wednesday’s match, Juan David Torres moved into first in the league for chances created, with 32. Torres’ five assists are also tied for second in the Championship.
Jennings Approaches Minutes Milestone – Cal Jennings is nearing a personal milestone, 10,000 career minutes played in the USL Championship regular season. The striker is currently at 9,999 minutes played going into this weekend.
Post-Match Fireworks – One of the most anticipated nights for fans, post-match fireworks shows are back at Patriots Point this year. The show will begin after the final whistle, and it is the first of a number of fireworks nights this season.
Rubín’s Gold Cup Run – Rubio Rubín is still out on international duty after being called up to represent Guatemala during the June FIFA International Window. Los Chapines won their opening match in the Concacaf Gold Cup, a sensational triumph over Jamaica. Rubín entered the game off the bench and was inches away from finding the back of the net. The striker has been a fixture for Guatemala since his debut in 2022, recording 11 goals and 32 caps for Los Chapines to date.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Saturday, June 21 – 7:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Saturday’s match will stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally. It will also air on local television on Palmetto Sports and Entertainment Network, channel WCSC 5.3 (SD) and WZCH-TV 35.3 (HD) in Charleston. Check with your TV provider for the exact channel number.
A limited amount of tickets for Saturday are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
