Matchday Preview
The Charleston Battery return home to host Monterey Bay FC on Sat., Sept. 19, in Week 29 of the USL Championship regular season. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will stream on ESPN+ and air locally on Palmetto Sports Network.
Charleston and Monterey Bay, cross-conference adversaries, clash for the first time this year and the first time since 2024.
The Battery (12W-8L-4D, 40pts) return to Patriots Point looking to build on the positives from their 2-2 road draw with Birmingham Legion FC. Miguel Berry scored a brace in the first half, his third of the year. However, Charleston were forced to settle for a point when Birmingham equalized before halftime, and the Battery were unable to find a third goal in the second half despite dominating possession and scoring opportunities.
Monterey Bay (4W-14L-6D, 18pts) arrive in Charleston aiming to snap their current 11-game winless run across all competitions, with their last win coming on June 20. The California club most recently played Phoenix Rising FC to a 1-1 home draw on September 5, where Ryuga Nakamura’s late equalizer salvaged a point for the hosts. Monterey Bay had a bye this past weekend and will be well rested for their trip to Patriots Point.
Looking at their respective tables, Charleston are second in the Eastern Conference and Monterey Bay are 12th in the Western Conference.
Storylines of the Match
Limited H2H History – This weekend will mark just the third all-time meeting between Charleston and Monterey Bay. The Battery won the first meeting in 2023, a 1-0 triumph at Patriots Point, and the second ended in a 0-0 draw at Cardinale Stadium in 2024. The sides did not face each other in 2025.
YTD Interconference Record – Charleston have a split record against the Western Conference this year, with a 2W-2L-1D record in interconference play. The Battery’s last game against the West was the 0-2 road win over Las Vegas Lights FC, and the only home win was the 5-1 thumping of FC Tulsa.
Playoffs: Win, and You’re In – The Battery’s path to securing playoffs is straightforward: Beat Monterey Bay and the postseason ticket is punched. However, Charleston’s distance at the top opens multiple avenues for clinching a playoff spot this weekend. The complete list:
- Charleston win vs. Monterey Bay, moving to 43pts
OR
- Charleston draw vs. Monterey Bay, moving to 41pts; AND Birmingham Legion FC draws/loses at Tampa Bay Rowdies, maximum drops to 39/38pts; AND Miami FC draws/loses at Rhode Island FC, maximum drops to 40/39pts; AND Loudoun United FC draws/loses at Louisville City FC, maximum drops to 39/38pts
OR
- Charleston lose vs. Monterey Bay, remaining on 40pts; AND Birmingham Legion FC draws/loses at Tampa Bay Rowdies, maximum drops to 39/38pts; AND Miami FC loses at Rhode Island FC, maximum drops to 39pts; AND Loudoun United FC draws/loses at Louisville City FC, maximum drops to 39/38pts
Berry Sets Career High – Fresh off being his August Championship Player of the Month nomination, which he finished runner-up, Miguel Berry bagged his third brace to bring his 2026 goal total to nine across all competitions. Berry’s nine goals have set a new single-season best for his career, surpassing his mark of eight scored in 2022 with Columbus Crew. The striker has flourished in the second half of the season and currently has nine goals and seven assists across all competitions.
Kelly in Golden Playmaker Hunt – Jeremy Kelly continues to make his case in the Championship Golden Playmaker race and is currently tied for the lead with eight assists in league play. In fact, Kelly’s nine assists across all competitions put him one away from matching his career single-season best (10, in 2022). Kelly has a club-best 46 chances created in Championship play. Teammate Nathan Messer is one assist off the pace in the Golden Playmaker race with seven.
Barajas Returns – Something likely on the minds of many fans with Monterey Bay coming to town is the return of Fidel Barajas to Patriots Point for the first time in three years. Barajas joined Monterey Bay this past July, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara in Liga MX. However, it won’t be the first time Barajas has played against his former club, after he faced the Battery in the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup while on loan at D.C. United. Barajas totaled 13 assists and five goals in 37 appearances across all competitions from 2022 to 2023 for Charleston, and won USL Championship Young Player of the Year in 2023.
New Home Streak to Start – Nothing lasts forever, and the Battery will look to start a new undefeated streak at Patriots Point after their 24-game home unbeaten run came to an end on September 2. Nevertheless, Patriots Point remains a fortress for Charleston as the Battery have the most home wins (eight), most home points won (26), most home goals scored (33) and the best home goal differential (+24) in the league this year. Charleston will look to harness those strengths to get back into the win column at home this weekend.
Sánchez Debuts – Camilo Sánchez made his Battery debut in Birmingham when he entered the game off the bench in the 75th minute. The Colombian striker could now be poised to make his first appearance in front of the home crowd on Saturday.
Messer Available Again – Head Coach Ben Pirmann will receive a personnel boost with the return of Nathan Messer’s availability after the full-back completed his one-game red card suspension this past weekend.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration – The Battery are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Night at Patriots Point on Saturday. The fan-favorite theme night returns and will feature live Latin music, a shirt giveaway, Spanish PA over the stadium speakers, various festivities, and more. Gates will open early at 5 p.m. ET to accommodate the pre-match concert.
From the Training Ground
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Monterey Bay FC
Saturday, September 19 – 7 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.
