Presented by MUSC Health
Matchday Preview
The Charleston Battery return home to host Brooklyn FC on Sat., Aug. 1, in Week 22 of the USL Championship regular season. 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.
The Battery and Brooklyn clash for the second time this year after previously meeting back in April in New York, a 3-0 win for Brooklyn.
Charleston (8W-6L-3D, 27pts) are aiming to snap out of a four-game winless run that comprised the entirety of July for the Black and Yellow. Last weekend, the Battery appeared poised to recover a 1-1 comeback draw against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC after Wilmer Cabrera’s equalizer, but a late goal in stoppage time for the hosts tipped all three points in their favor.
Brooklyn (3W-9L-4D, 13pts) are looking to rebound from a similar three-game winless run during their first visit to the Lowcountry. The New York side were dealt a 0-1 home defeat against San Antonio FC last match, with a tally by Cristian Parano in the first half proving to be the difference. Brooklyn’s last win was a 0-2 road upset of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in a game that featured red cards for both teams.
Looking at the Eastern Conference table, Charleston are in second and Brooklyn are in 12th.
Storylines of the Match
Brief Battery-Brooklyn History – The all-time series between the Championship’s oldest and newest team is just one match, which Brooklyn won 3-0 back in April. Brooklyn are currently amid their inaugural season in the league and are one of two expansion teams in the Eastern Conference, alongside Sporting Club Jacksonville. While the Battery handled Sporting Jax with relative ease in both fixtures, Charleston will look to avenge their earlier defeat against the New York newcomers.
Welcome Return Home – Charleston are due to be looking forward to their return to Patriots Point, where they are undefeated across all competitions in 2026. Additionally, the Battery’s current home undefeated run in the regular season stands at 22 games. Charleston have won 20 points at home in the regular season this year, the most in the Championship.
Opposites Clash – This weekend’s matchup will pit the team with the co-second-best goal differential (Charleston, +8) against the team with the second-worst goal differential (Brooklyn, -10) in the Eastern Conference. Charleston’s total is more extreme at home, with a +15 goal differential, which the club will hope to use to their advantage as they aim to start August on the right foot.
Putting July in the Past – For the Battery, July will be a month to quickly put behind them as they turn the page to the August slate. Charleston had a 0W-2L-2D (one penalty shootout loss) record across all competitions in July, which was a stark contrast to the club’s undefeated run in June that saw the side catapult to second in the Eastern Conference table. Still, Charleston remain in second and are still in strong contention to compete for the Players’ Shield with three months of the regular season to be played out.
Super Sub Impacts – After Wilmer Cabrera’s goal off the bench against Colorado Springs, Charleston have scored nine goals via substitutes in the Championship this season, more than any other team. Cabrera himself has one goal and two assists off the bench in the regular season this year.
Hughes’ First Start – Alec Hughes made his first start for the Battery last weekend and could see an elevated role again against Brooklyn while Colton Swan remains away on international duty. Head Coach Ben Pirmann was complimentary of Hughes’ performance, which was contained to just the first half, in his remarks after the game. Hughes was also not a player Brooklyn saw in the first fixture, which could bring an added dynamic if he features in the starting lineup again.
Kelly in Golden Playmaker Race – Jeremy Kelly notched his fifth assist of the regular season last weekend, which puts him one off the pace for the lead in the Championship Golden Playmaker race. With 13 matches remaining, the versatile midfielder is within striking distance to make a run for the award, which the Battery’s Juan David Torres was a runner-up for last year.
Zamudio Half-Century – Luis Zamudio is on milestone watch for his tenure with the Battery and is one game away from 50 appearances for the club across all competitions. The shot-stopper currently has 49 matches to his name.
Swan Still Out – Colton Swan remains unavailable for the Battery while he is out on international duty with the United States youth national team in the Concacaf U-20 Championship. Swan made two appearances off the bench to shore up the victories over Haiti and El Salvador in the Stars and Stripes’ group stage matches. The tournament serves as the confederation’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2027 Pan American Games.
Celebrating the First Champs – Fans at Patriots Point can look forward to the club’s celebration of the 1996 title-winning team, the Battery’s first league crown, for ‘90s Night on Saturday. Charleston won the 1996 USISL Pro League on August 24, 1996, at Stoney Field, and the match will feature celebrations and recognition of the 1996 team during the evening, along with various era-appropriate festivities for the theme night, including a $6 ticket promotion, the same price as in the 1996 season.
From the Training Ground
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Brooklyn FC
Saturday, August 1 – 7:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Saturday’s match will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally. The match 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.
