News Archive

The Battery suffered a 4-1 defeat against defending back to back USL Championship champs, Louisville City FC at Slugger Field on Saturday night.
 
It was a night to forget as the Battery conceded a goal just three minutes into the match. George Davis IV scored his third goal of the season after getting onto the end of a low cross beating Kuzminsky to open the scoring.
 
Things would get worse for the Battery in the 19th minute as Kierron Mason picked up a straight red, conceding a penalty in the process. Mason turned the ball over and pulled Mkosana down in the box. Louisville would double their lead on the ensuing penalty, Magnus Rasmussen the goal scorer.
 
Charleston were forced to defend for the duration of the first half as Louisville controlled the flow of play. Niall McCabe assisted on the opening goal and provided Louisville with a chance to grab their third of the match in the 38th minute. After receiving a pass on the left flank, McCabe cut in on his right foot and found Rasmussen in the box who sent his first time shot wide of the left post.
 
Arthur Bosua would get a goal back for the Battery in the 50th minute following a corner kick. Ian Svantesson found space on the left side of the box and fired a shot that deflected off a Louisville defender resulting in the corner. Bosua rose above the Louisville defense beating Ben Lundt with a well-placed header to bring the Battery within one.
 
Rasmussen would force an own goal from the Battery following a corner kick in the 74th minute. Rasmussen struck a shot from the top right corner of the box deflecting off Romario Piggott and Dante Marini, beating Kuzminsky at the near post. McCabe would put the game out of reach scoring on a well struck free kick in the 87th minute.
 
Louisville would be reduced to nine men in the second minute of stoppage time after Paco Craig picked up his second yellow card of the match. Earlier in the match, Brian Ownby received a straight red card sixteen minutes after coming on as a substitute after an elbow to Vincenzo Candela.
 
The Battery return to action Saturday night against Birmingham Legion FC at 7:30 PM at MUSC Health Stadium. It’s Military Appreciation Night at the stadium with all current and former military and their families receiving complimentary tickets with a valid military I.D. Stick around after the match for fireworks on the pitch, tickets can be purchased at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.
 
BOX SCORE:
 
Louisville: Lundt, Jimenez (YC49’ Peay 77’), Francis, Souahy, Craig (YC 67’, YC (RC) 90+2), Williams, McCabe (goal 87’), DelPiccolo, Rasmussen (goal 21’), Davis IV (goal 3’, Ownby 63’, RC 79’), Mkosana (Spencer 71’)
 
Substitutes: Hubbard, Peay, Totsch, Dee, Jane, Ownby, Spencer
 
Charleston: Kuzminsky, van Schaik (86’ YC), Archer, Nelson, Rittmeyer (Piggott 58’), Mason (RC 19’), Candela, Marini (OG 74’), Higashi (Paterson 78’), Svantesson (Daley 65’), Bosua (goal 50’)
 
Substitutes: Breno, Piggott, Lewis, Anunga, Kelly, Daley, Paterson

The Charleston Battery are on the road against Louisville City FC Saturday night at Slugger Field in Week 13 of USL Championship action.

Last Time Out

The Battery advanced to the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night after beating Nashville SC 3-0 on penalties.

Nicque Daley opened the scoring in the 24th minute, a fantastic solo run and finish to put the Battery up 0-1. After receiving a pass from Romario Piggott out of the midfield, Daley turned on Nashville defender Ken Tribbett and making a long run into the left side of the box. He held off Tribbett and curled a shot in at the far post.

Nashville scored the equalizing goal in the 72nd minute through forward Kharlton Belmar. Substitute Ropapa Mensah found space down the right side and played a low pass across the face of goal, finding Belmar at the back post. Defender Kyle Nelson was in a position to clear the danger but was unable to get his foot in front of the pass.

Philip Breno stepped up in the penalty shootout, denying Liam Doyle and Matt LaGrassa before watching Lebo Moloto’s attempt hit the crossbar. Zeiko Lewis and Leland Archer converted on the Battery’s first two penalties and Ian Svantesson sealed the match with his fourth-round penalty.

The Battery will host Atlanta United in the Fourth Round of the Open Cup on June 11th at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased here.

Louisville City won their Third Round U.S. Open Cup match 1-0 against Birmingham Legion. Sean Totsch converted a 90th-minute penalty after substitute Brian Ownby was fouled by Birmingham’s goalkeeper Matt VanOekel. Louisville will face MLS side, FC Cincinnati on June 12th at 7:30 PM at Nippert Stadium in the Fourth Round.  

LOUvCHS, 2018

The Battery took one point in their last trip to Louisville on August 31st, 2018 in a 2-2 draw. All four goals were scored in the opening forty-five minutes of the match with three coming in a seven-minute span. Former Battery forward Patrick Okonkwo opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Cameron Lancaster tied things up four minutes later in the 18th minute. Nico Rittmeyer put the Battery ahead 2-1 in the 21st minute but Lancaster would complete his brace in the 41st minute to draw the hosts level going into the half.

What to Watch For…

No Lancaster, No Problem – Cameron Lancaster led the league in goals during the 2018 USL Championship season scoring 26 goals in 33 appearances for Louisville. Lancaster joined Nashville SC prior to the start of the 2019 season and Louisville have replaced his production by committee. Lucky Mkosana, Magnus Rasmussen, and Luke Spencer have been a consistent source of goalscoring accounting for 12 of Louisville’s 17 goals scored in the USL Championship this season.

The trio have been hot as of late accounting for all of Louisville’s 10 goals over the last six matches. The last time another Louisville player scored was on April 13th as Abdou Thiam scored in the 88th minute to steal a point against Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road.

Another Busy Week – Charleston finish out another full week of matches Saturday night, the teams third game in eight days. The Battery split points with Atlanta United 2 on May 25th before playing 120 minutes on the road against Nashville SC on Wednesday in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Several key starters played the full 120 minutes including Zeiko Lewis, Tah Brian Anunga, and Jarad van Schaik. The Battery faced similar circumstances on May 18th as they traveled to Indy following their midweek, Second Round Open Cup win against Greenville Triumph SC on May 15th. It was a slow start to the match and the Battery will be looking for a better result against Louisville tomorrow night.    

Home of the Champions – Louisville City FC are reigning back to back USL champions, claiming the title in 2017 and 2018. Since joining the league in 2015, Louisville have finished no worse than 2nd in the Eastern Conference at the end of the regular season. Prior to winning back to back championships, Louisville advanced to the semi-finals in 2015 and 2016 losing out to Rochester Rhinos and New York Red Bulls II, respectively. Louisville have surpassed the 60-point mark in three straight seasons and will look to extend their run to four.  

Louisville City FC: USL Championship Record, 5-4-3 (Home: 3-2-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Mkosana, Rasmussen, Spencer (4)

Assists: Davis IV, Francis, six other players (1)

Chances Created: Jimenez (37)

Saves: Lundt (20)

Clean Sheets: Lundt (4)   

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-2-5 (Away: 1-2-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Lewis (4)

Assists: Lewis, Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (22)

Saves: Kuzminsky (24)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (3)

The Charleston Battery will host Atlanta United in the Fourth Round of the U.S. Open Cup on June 11th at 7:30 PM at MUSC Health Stadium.

The Battery will square off against the defending Major League Soccer champs for a third straight year in the Open Cup Fourth Round of Open Cup play. Atlanta United eliminated the Battery from the competition in 2017 and 2018, winning 3-2 and 3-0, respectively.

Atlanta United defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 in the 2018 MLS Cup. Atlanta United defeated New York City FC 4-1 on aggregate in the Conference Semifinals before topping New York Red Bulls in the Conference Finals. Forward Josef Martinez was awarded MLS Cup Final MVP while also being awarded league MVP and Golden Boot winner.

It’s the first time the Battery will host Atlanta United in the Open Cup. Atlanta are no strangers to the Charleston area having participated in the 2017 and 2018 Carolina Challenge Cup; a preseason tournament hosted by the Battery at MUSC Health Stadium.

Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 10 AM Friday morning at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com. General admission seating starts at $15. Season tickets holders receive complimentary tickets to the match.

The Battery defeated Nashville SC on penalties in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night. The two sides entered extra time knotted at 1-1 before playing out a scoreless thirty minutes to go to penalties.

Nashville SC dominated possession and attacking chances throughout the first and second half, but it was Nicque Daley and the Battery who opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Tah Brian Anunga started the play for the Battery, winning possession in the defensive third and moving the ball up field to winger Romario Piggott. Piggott played the ball into Daley who turned on defender Ken Tribbett after receiving the pass just past midfield. Daley showed his quickness and speed blowing past Tribbett and holding the Nashville defender off to create a yard or two of space in the box. It was an equally impressive shot, a curling ball that beat the outstretched arm of Connor Sparrow.

Following Daley’s opener, Nashville pressured the Battery defense for the remainder of the half but were unable to find an equalizer. Defenders Jarad van Schaik, Leland Archer, and Kyle Nelson all played 120 minutes in the win, keeping Nashville from finding an equalizer before halftime.

Coming out of half Nashville continued their controlled possession and attack and eventually found an equalizer in the 72nd minute. Kharlton Belmar scored the goal for Nashville, getting on the end of a low cross from the foot of Ropapa Mensah. Mensah found himself in a bit of space down the right side and fired a cross toward the streaking Belmar. Belmar beat Nelson to the cross and goalkeeper Philip Breno was unable to make the save.

It looked as if Nashville SC would grab a late winner in regular time, but Van Schaik and company held firm and kept Charleston in the match. Despite the low second-half possession, the Battery had two opportunities to win the match late in extra time. The first off the foot of substitute Dante Marini in the third minute of stoppage. Marini received a pass in the box and turned for a shot that was straight to Sparrow. A minute late, Lewis thought he had won it for Charleston, a curling left-footed attempt from just outside the eighteen struck the top side of the crossbar and bounced out for a goal kick.

Extra time proved to be much of the same, for both sides. Nashville worked hard to find a winner while the Battery packed in and played strong defensively. Philip Breno was the hero for Charleston in the penalty shootout. Breno stopped the first two Nashville attempts before watching Lebo Moloto’s shot hit the crossbar. Lewis, Archer, and Svantesson converted their penalties to secure the win for the Battery.

The Fourth Round draw will take place Thursday morning at 11 AM EST. The draw will be announced live on the U.S. Open Cup’s Twitter (@opencup). The Battery are back in USL Championship action on June 1st against Louisville City FC at 7:00 PM.

Over the course of our long-lasting partnership with MUSC Health and MUSC Sports Medicine, our Charleston Battery players have received state-of-the-art healthcare. MUSC has treated short and long-term player injuries getting them back up to speed as quickly as possible.

Battery midfielder Dante Marini suffered a serious knee injury against St. Louis FC on July 15th, 2017. “I just kind of planted wrong and I heard the crunch and pop,” Marini said. “I knew something was wrong but didn’t want to believe it.”

Bobby Weisenberger, the head athletic trainer for the Charleston Battery was out on the field with Marini following the injury. “It was tough,” Weisenberger said of the injury, “I think everyone thought it was the end.” Marini suffered a medial femoral condyle defect. The injury consisted of damage to the bone and ACL.

“His case was very rare,” said MUSC’s Health Sports Medicine Manager Mike Barr. “Usually, with this type of injury, they don’t get back to a professional level.” Marini would miss the remainder of the 2017 season and all of 2018. The injury sidelined Marini for 581 days as he worked through his rehab with MUSC.

Marini returned to action in February against FC Cincinnati in the Carolina Challenge Cup before making his first appearance for the Battery in USL Championship play against Ottawa Fury FC, playing fourteen minutes in a 1-1 draw.

Marini would make his second substitute appearance of the season in the Battery’s next match at home against Hartford Athletic. Marini would replace Romario Piggott in the 63rd minute and score his first goal of the season ten minutes later to double the Battery lead.

The goal would prove to be the winner as Hartford converted a penalty in the 82nd minute. “It’s been a long and tough road, I’ve fought through it and there have been so many ups and downs along the way,” said Marini after the match. “It means so much to me.”

Marini netted his second of the season in dramatic fashion against Memphis 901 FC on April 27th, a goal scored in the final minute of stoppage time to give the Battery their first road win of the season.

With the help and support of the MUSC Health and MUSC Sports Medicine team, Marini has made a full recovery and continues to be a key contributor to the Battery this season. Marini and the Battery play Nashville SC in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup tomorrow night and return home for a clash with Birmingham Legion on June 8th.

The Charleston Battery played to a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United 2 on Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium.

Gordan Wild, who played on loan with the Battery during the 2018 season, created a chance for ATLUTD2 in the 2nd minute. Wild found space on the left side of the box and challenged Kuzminsky with a well-struck shot. Kuzminsky made the initial save on Wild and the rebound bounced out to a dangerous position. ATLUTD2 forward Bienvenue Kanakimana lunged for the loose ball but Jarad van Schaik beat Kanakimana to it and cleared the danger.

Vincenzo Candela had the Battery’s first chance of the evening, stepping in front of a poor pass from the ATLUTD2 defense. He battled with a defender in the box eventually breaking free to set up a one on one with goalkeeper Brendan Moore, but Moore was up to the challenge and made the save. Candela would have a chance six minutes later off a free kick that was on target but dealt with by Moore comfortably.

Forward Zeiko Lewis missed an open net in the 24th minute that would have put the Battery up 1-0. Romario Piggot made a dashing run down the right side and latched on to a through ball out of the Battery midfield. Piggott took a few touches into the box and found Lewis open nine yards but Lewis pushed the first time shot wide of the left post. Lewis would turn provider in the 33rd minute playing Piggott in on goal but the effort was wide right. “I think we could have executed a bit better, especially me in front of goal,” said Lewis after the match. “We kept the unbeaten streak at home going and that’s all that matters.”

ATLUTD2 opened the scoring in the 71st minute through midfielder Laurent Kissiedou. With his back to goal, Kissiedou turned on a shot from six yards out to beat Kuzminsky at the right post. Kuzminsky kept things close through the second half making a number of crucial saves to keep the Battery within striking distance. Kuzminsky’s hard work would be rewarded with an equalizing goal later in the half.

Lewis would level things eight minutes later, finding the back of the net from a corner. Lewis whipped in a hard cross to the top right corner of the goal and forced Moore into making a play on the ball. The ATLUTD2 keeper got his fingertips to the ball but didn’t have enough to tip the ball over the goal. “I’ve scored goals like that before,” said Lewis. “Our game plan was to challenge the goalkeeper from our corners and that’s what I tried to do. We put two guys on the near post in front of him and it gave him trouble.”

The Battery are back in action Wednesday night against Nashville SC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+. The Battery return to USL Championship play on June 1st against Louisville City FC at Slugger Field.

BOX SCORE

CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, van Schaik, Archer, Nelson, Rittmeyer, Candela, Anunga, Piggott, Higashi (Marini 78’, YC 82), Svantesson (Daley 59’), Lewis (goal 79’)

Substitutes: Breno, Paterson, Daley, Bosua, Mason, Marini, Kelly

ATLANTA: Moore, Metcalf (Barajas 77’), Campbell (YC 67’), Wyke (YC 90’), Gallagher, Kratz (Vint 45’), Asiedu, Luiz Fernandez, Kissiedou (YC 59’, goal 71’), Wild, Kanakimana (Samuel 61’)

Substitutes: Castanheira, Barajas, Castro, Conway, Edwards, Samuel, Vint

The Charleston Battery take on Atlanta United 2 (ATLUTD2) Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. It’s the first meeting between the two sides this season.

Last Time Out

The Battery lost their second match of the season 0-1 against Indy Eleven last Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was a slow start to the match as both sides were coming off second-round U.S. Open Cup wins. Kotaro Higashi lead the Battery, attacking the Indy defense through the middle of the field. The Japanese forward looked for his teammates in the final third, but couldn’t connect on any of his final passes. Taylor Mueller would provide the Battery with a half chance in the 53rd minute, heading a corner to the near post that was saved by Evan Newton.

Indy substitute Tyler Pasher would prove to be the difference in what looked to be a defensive stalemate. Pasher, who came on for Kenny Walker to begin the second half, made an immediate impact for Indy pressuring the Battery down the left wing. Forward Thomas Enevoldsen missed out on a golden opportunity to put Indy up 1-0 following a cross from Pasher late in the second half. Enevoldsen found himself in a pocket of space inside the box but his attempted header was high over the crossbar.

Pasher would eventually score the winning goal in the 84th minute following an attacking run down the left side. Battery defender Leland Archer forced Pasher towards the goal line where the Indy forward found a few yards of space. Pasher played a hard shot low across the box that Kuzminsky mishandled and the ball found its way into the back of the net.

ATLUTD2 split points with Swope Park Rangers on the road Saturday in Kansas City. Swope Park jumped on Atlanta from the start, forcing a turnover in Atlanta’s defensive third and scoring in the second minute. Felipe Hernandez stepped in front of a weak pass, playing the ball forward to teammate Ngom Mbekeli inside the Atlanta box. Hernandez found space in the box and Mbekeli was able to hold off a defender and push a pass into the path of Hernandez who finished with ease.

Laurence Wyke leveled things for Atlanta in the 68th minute following a failed clearance from Swope Park. Gordan Wild provided the cross that troubled the Swope Park defense with the weak clearance bouncing out towards the edge of the area. Wyke turned on the bouncing ball hitting a half volley and beating John Pulskamp at the near post.

The match finished 1-1 as ATLUTD2 keeper Dylan Castanheira claimed a Swope Park free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Heating Up in the East – Heading into Week 12 of USL Championship play the Battery occupy the in 9th spot in the Eastern Conference having earned 16 points through 10 matches. Eleven points separate the last playoff spot from conference leaders, Tampa Bay Rowdies. A win this week would push the Battery back into contention for a top-four spot, trailing Saint Louis FC by just 3 points.

ATLUTD2 take aim at the final playoff spot in the East, tied with Bethlehem Steel FC and Birmingham Legion FC on 12 points through 11 matches. The three clubs hold identical USL Championship records (3-5-3) and have all played to a 0-3-2 record over their last 5.

Friendly Foes – ATLUTD2 have several former Battery players that have featured for the USL Championship side this year, most notably Romario Williams and Gordon Wild. Williams leads ATLUTD2 in goals scored, netting 3 goals in four appearances for the club this year. Wild played in 33 matches for the Battery in 2018, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. Wild was a substitute in ATLUTD2’s last match against Swope Park Rangers playing a part in the build-up to their equalizing goal.

Coaches Corner,

Mike Anhaeuser

On Saturday’s Match Against ATLUTD2; Our last couple matches have been against tough defensive teams. You know, Atlanta isn’t really a defensive team so it’s different. We have to try and get that offensive spark back, hopefully, in this game, we can get somewhere between 12 to 20 shots, but we have to create that. Hopefully, our forwards get their shooting boots back on.

On the ATLUTD2 Roster; There are main guys that play but you have to be ready, you know Romario [Williams] played both games. Carleton both games. You might get those players because they want them to play in good games in a good tough place on the road. If it is their young guys, they’re going work harder and come with that energy.

Leland Archer

On Saturday’s Match Against ATLUTD2;  I think I’ve got to step up a little in this game and lead the team in the back. We know a couple of their players well so I think we should be prepared as in knowing what they can do to hurt us. Whether they bring down their MLS players we should be ready for them. 

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-2-4 (Home: 3-0-3)

Team Leaders

Goals: Lewis, Svantesson (3)

Assists: Lewis, Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (19)

Saves: Kuzminsky (20)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (3)   

Atlanta United 2: USL Championship Record, 3-5-3 (Away: 1-1-3)

Team Leaders

Goals: Williams (3)

Assists: Asiedu, Kissiedou (2)

Chances Created: Metcalf (18)

Saves: Castanheira (20)

Clean Sheets: Castanheira, Moore (1)

The Battery were defeated by Indy Eleven 1-0 on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It was a slow start to the match as Indy and the Battery were coming off second-round U.S. Open Cup wins this past Wednesday. While both sides struggled to create many first-half scoring chances, the Battery looked the more dangerous side led by forward Kotaro Higashi. Higashi and the Battery were able to play through the middle of Indy’s defensive half, yet the final passes were lacking. Dante Marini would register the Battery’s first shot of the half in the 22nd minute but the shot was blocked, and Indy were able to clear. 

Former Battery forward Dane Kelly looked the most lively player in the first half challenging for crosses and long passes into the box but was contained by defenders Taylor Mueller and Leland Archer. Joe Kuzminsky played his part in stopping Kelly from scoring against his old club being the first to a number of dangerous balls in the Battery penalty area.

Indy Eleven substitute Tyler Pasher would prove to be the difference in what looked to be a defensive stalemate. Pasher entered the match at halftime for Kenny Walker and made an immediate impact playing down the left side. In his first action of the second half, Pasher whipped in a dangerous cross that missed Kelly and rolled harmlessly out for a goal kick. It was a glimpse of things to come as the midfielder would create a golden chance for Indy forward Thomas Enevoldsen later in the half but Enevoldsen’s attempt was up and over the bar.

Pasher would eventually score the game winner for Indy in the 84th minute. Continuing his dangerous runs down the left side, Pasher was able to get around Archer and had a shot high at the near post. Kuzminsky mishandled the shot and the ball deflected up into the back of the Battery goal. Indy would play out the final ten minutes limiting Charleston’s chances and looking for a second goal late on a series of successive corners.

“You know, we are two good teams,” said coach Anhaeuser after the match. “It was like a chess match early on; we didn’t want to show them what we had. We were very patient offensively, but it picked up in the second half. We knew it was going to be a match where one goal won it.”

The Battery look to rebound from the loss at MUSC Health Stadium on May 25th as they take on Atlanta United 2 at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.https://www.www.charlestonbattery.com or by calling (843) 971-GOAL.

Box Score

INDY: Newton, Barrett, Ouimette, Hackshaw, Garcia, Matern (Watson 83’), Gibson, Walker (Pasher, YC 51’, goal 84’), Farias, Enevoldsen (Osmond 90+5’), Kelly (YC 67’)

Substitutes: Farr, Watson, King, Nieto, Pasher, Osmond, Diakhate

CHARLESTON: Kuzminsky, van Schaik, Mueller, Archer, Paterson (Lewis 86’), Candela, Anunga, Piggott (YC 89), Higashi, Marini (Mason 62’), Bosua (Svantesson 68’)

Substitutes: Breno, Mason, Lewis, Daley, Svantesson

The Charleston Battery take on Indy Eleven at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night at 7:00 PM.

Last Time Out

Indy Eleven played host to USL League One side Lansing Ignite on Wednesday in a 1-0 win. Lansing had a golden chance to open the scoring thirty seconds in but their attempt was blocked and cleared off the line by Indy defender Paddy Barrett. Indy would be reduced to ten men in the 21st minute when goalkeeper Evan Newton was sent off following a hard foul outside the box against Lansing forward Elma Nfor.

Thomas Enevoldsen put Indy up 1-0 in the 57th minute. Tyler Gibson’s lofted pass found its way to Barrett who sent a headed pass across the box towards Enevoldsen who rose above a Lansing defender to open the scoring. Lansing continued to pressure ten-man Indy for the remainder of the match but were unable to find the equalizer.

The Battery struggled early in their second-round Open Cup match against Greenville Triumph SC Wednesday night at Legacy Early College.

It was a promising start from the League One side as they controlled much of the first half play and created a number of chances including their opening goal in the 30th minute. Midfielder Omar Mohamed created a few yards of space in a one on one with Battery defender Kyle Nelson and forced Nelson into conceding a corner. Max Hemmings connected with the Aaron Walker cross and headed home the opening goal of the match.

Ian Svantesson was the hero for the Battery in the second half after coming on for Nicque Daley in the 70th minute. Svantesson leveled things in the 79th minute before scoring the game-winner in stoppage time. With the win, Charleston advances to the third round of the Open Cup where they will take on Nashville SC on May 29th.

What to Watch For…

Hello, Old Friend(s) – Former Battery defender Neveal Hackshaw will face his former club for the first time since joining Indy prior to the start of the 2019 USL Championship season. Hackshaw made 82 appearances in three seasons with the Battery serving as a key starter for one of the leagues best defenses. Hackshaw has started all eight regular-season matches for Indy playing every minute of the season and scoring two goals, tied for second-most on the team.

Dane Kelly, who played for the Battery from 2011-2015, will look to jumpstart the Indy offense. Kelly made 107 appearances for the Battery and sits 4th all-time in goals scored for the club. Kelly has scored four goals in eight matches for the Eleven leading the team in that category. Kelly played twenty-seven minutes in a substitute appearance with the Richmond Kickers against the Battery in 2018.

Wild Finish – In 2018, the two sides played to one of the most exciting finishes of the season, splitting points in a 3-3 draw. Goals from Indy forward Soony Saad and Battery defender O’Brian Woodbine kept the game level with thirty minutes to play.

A total of four goals were scored in the final ten minutes of the match with each team netting a stoppage-time goal. Ataulla Guerra would put the Battery up 2-1 in the 80th minute before Ayoze Garcia netted a ten-minute brace going into the final minute of stoppage time.

Tah Brian Anunga scored in the 94th minute to tie things at 3-3, slipping a shot into the corner past goalkeeper Fon Williams. Indy had a chance to win it in the 97th minute from a throw-in but the headed shot was over the bar.

Coaches Corner, Mike Anhaeuser

On Indy Eleven; “It’s the players we know. Dane Kelly has pace up top. They have a lot of experience on the front line, they have experience all over the field. We know that we have to go up there and be physically ready. We had a great result on Wednesday in the Open Cup and so did they.  We might have to adjust a few things here or there, but we are playing well, it should be a great match.”

On the recent U.S. Open Cup Result; “Being on the round in the second round, it’s really about just getting it done. We started a little rough, we were on turf, and our passes were getting away from us. After about 20 or 30 minutes we finally started to settle down and did a great job. Kierron really stepped up to the plate and showed how physically strong he is. He was able to dominate the middle of the field.”

Indy Eleven: USL Championship Record, 4-2-2 (Home: 1-0-2)

Team Leaders

Goals: Kelly (4)

Assists: Walker (3)

Chances Created: Ayoze (18)

Saves: Newton (17)

Clean Sheets: Newton (4)   

Charleston Battery: USL Championship Record, 4-1-4 (Away: 1-1-1)

Team Leaders

Goals: Lewis, Svantesson (3)

Assists: Lewis, Woodbine (2)

Chances Created: Lewis (19)

Saves: Kuzminsky (19)

Clean Sheets: Kuzminsky (3)