News

Awarded to the player who fans believed made the most impact in their first season donning the Black and Yellow, Stavros Zarokostas was named the 2020 Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year.

In his first professional season, Stavros played a big part in the team’s +11 goal differential with five goals on the year. His scoring campaign came at the most crucial moments in the 2020 season as he put up the lone goal in the Battery’s first of three wins over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, sustaining the team’s nine-game unbeaten streak. And it was Zarokostas who helped end the regular season on a high note registering a brace against the Rowdies on October 3rd before heading into the playoffs. With his 8 starts and 8 appearances off the bench, Stavros proved to be a constant threat that kept opponents backpedaling all season.

The Newcomer of the Year Award is named in honor of Betsy McAdams, former and longtime Battery COO who passed away in 2009 after a courageous battle against cancer. Watch below as coach John Wilson honors Betsy and presents this year’s Newcomer of the Year!

With his second consecutive season leading the Battery in goals scored, Zeiko Lewis was named the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year.

Zeiko’s six goals, tied at the top with Nicque Daley, were just 2 shy of his 2019 total, albeit in 17 fewer matches played. Zeiko was a threat all season on the attack as he led the team in both shots (27) and shots on target (16). But Lewis’ offensive contributions extend beyond finding the back of the net as he occasionally settled into a midfielder role, providing opportunities for forwards Daley, Stavros Zarokostas and Mauro Cichero, while leading the team with 34 chances created. All season long, Lewis exemplified a team-first mentality that contributed to the Battery’s success, but when the opportunity arose, of course he couldn’t help himself from putting one in. 

Watch below as Coach presents this year’s Offensive Player of the Year to Zeiko Lewis!

Make your picks now for the 2020 Player Awards. Voting will remain open until Tuesday, November 3, with winners being announced November 5 – 8.

In an unprecedented 2020, the Black and Yellow rose to the challenge and pulled off one of their most exciting seasons yet. An inaugural season for our new home at Patriots Point. A nine-game unbeaten streak spanning nearly two months. A conference semifinal appearance for the first time since 2016. A three-game winning streak against longtime rival, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. There is much to celebrate after such a unique, albeit shortened, 2020 season.

Brilliant individual and team efforts up and down the pitch defined the Battery’s success this year, laying the groundwork for what will be another exciting season in 2021. But for now, it’s time for you, the fans, to have your say and select the best of 2020 with our annual Player Awards!

2020 Player awards

Offensive Player of the Year
Derek Revord Defensive Player of the Year
Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year
Nigel Cooper Most Valuable Player

VOTE BELOW!

Voting has ended. Follow along November 5 – 8 as we announce the winners.

Charleston Battery Fans,

On behalf of the entire organization, thank you for your support during the 2020 season. The encouraging emails, phone calls, and messages have meant so much and made the season incredibly rewarding given the circumstances.

COVID-19 created an unprecedented number of challenges this year. Our players, coaches, and front office followed strict league protocols to ensure everyone stayed healthy and safe. We limited the capacity at our new Patriots Point home, and required fans to keep social distance and wear masks. Thanks for doing your part in keeping your fellow fans safe.

Despite the limited numbers, you brought energy and enthusiasm to the Point. At long last, we were able to hear chants in the new supporters section and see yellow smoke rise in the air. Thanks to you, we were able to not only complete the 2020 season, but make our new home a fortress with six straight wins at home to finish the year.

We have a lot to celebrate together. A last-minute equalizer against Atlanta United II in August spurred a nine-game undefeated streak and we reached our first conference semifinal since 2016. 

This year gave a glimpse of what the new era for the Charleston Battery looks like, and we cannot wait to get 2021 underway. The hard work has just begun, and it is fans like you that make it all worthwhile. Thank you for your feedback, ideas, and for helping us improve as a club.

We will continue to work tirelessly to make this a club Charleston is proud of. The best is yet to come.

Sincerely,

Scott Krenitski & the Charleston Battery Front Office

The Charleston Battery’s 2020 postseason run ended Saturday night after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Through a battle of an Eastern Conference Semifinal, the late goal by Rowdies’ forward Lucky Mkosana was the decider to advance Tampa Bay to the conference final and send the Battery home for the offseason.

Key Highlights
 

• In a fifth matchup between the teams, the Battery were unable to carry their 3-game winning streak against the Rowdies into the playoffs.

• It was an evenly-matched battle for most of the match, with both sides finding opportunities stifled by the opposing back line.

• The Rowdies lone score, late in the second half, would be the decider to send the Rowdies on and the Battery home.

First Half:

Through the first 45’, it was an even battle between the Battery and the Rowdies. Much as could be expected from two teams in a playoff scenario after facing off four times prior. With equal chances by both sides, the first half was mostly a show of stout defense as each side held off the opposing attack.

Second Half:

As both teams came out evenly matched in the second half, a slow start by both sides soon turned into a battle for possessions, of which the Rowdies mastered. Through set pieces on both sides and a back and forth matching two teams on the pitch for the fifth time, it appeared extra time was on the horizon. Unfortunately for the Battery, the Rowdies were able to convert off of a free kick 20 yards outside of the box as the kick found Lucky Mkosana to punch it past Battery keeper Joe Kuzminsky.

The Battery battled through the remaining 15 minutes to try and create an equalizing chance, but were unable to even things up.

Assessing the match, Battery Captain Jarad van Schaik commented, “It was always going to be a tough battle in a playoff game, especially on the road. I have nothing but respect for Tampa Bay. They played well and pinned us back. I thought we battled hard and just couldn’t get our chances to go through.”

Looking back on the season, the Battery Captain added, “It’s been one of my favorite group of guys I’ve ever played with. That kind of stuff translates onto the field and we definitely saw that with a top-tier group on the field this season.”

Taking a look at the playoff match, Coach Mike Anhaeuser noted, “once the second half at 0-0, you knew it’d be a free kick, special goal or a mistake. And unfortunately that was the difference.”

Commenting on the season overall, Coach added, “even after losing the first game against Birmingham, you could see the quality in the team. Getting everybody on the pitch and these guys battled throughout the streak. We proved a lot of people wrong and they made a name for themselves as a unit. These guys showed that and they grew from day one. I told the guys how proud I am of them. I thought we had a team that deserved to be in the championship, but we didn’t get there and we’ll regroup to do it again.”

After an amazing run, the Battery officially enter the offseason and look to build on 2020’s success to create a championship-winning season in 2021!

The Battery face the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. In a USL Championship season like none other, it will be the fifth time these teams have met in 2020. The Battery are coming off a 2-1 extra-time win against the Charlotte Independence in the conference quarterfinal while the Rowdies enter the semifinal after a 4-2 first-round win over Birmingham Legion FC. Charleston currently have a 3-1-0 record against Tampa Bay this season and will look to beat the Rowdies one more time to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Both teams know what to expect from the other at this point in the season as they develop their gameplans for Saturday’s matchup. The Black and Yellow will continue to focus on the defensive unit’s cohesion that’s seen success against the Rowdies. Tampa Bay hasn’t scored more than once against Charleston since July 31. The Rowdies, however, found their firepower last week, putting in four goals against Birmingham in their quarterfinal.

The Charleston front will have to attack the Rowdies back line early as their success against Tampa Bay this season has come when scoring first. But sustaining that pressure for the full 90 minutes will be key. Charleston gave up a few chances to Charlotte that they can’t afford against a talented Rowdies side. Neil Collins’ has shown efficient use of his bench and is able to make key substitutions that pay dividends, as seen against Birmingham with Leo Fernandes and Lucky Mkosana both subbing in and contributing goals. The Battery will have to come out strong in the second half and be ready to adjust to any Rowdies reinforcements.

It’s going to require the Battery’s best performance of the season to move on to the Conference Finals. It’s going to be physical. It’s going to be a battle. And it has all the makings to be an instant USL Championship classic. Don’t miss a minute of the action as the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

Ones to Watch This Week

Leo Fernandes

Leo Fernandes is one of the many unsung heroes of this Rowdies’ squad. Tampa Bay’s second leading goal scorer behind Sebastian Guenzatti does more than put the ball in the back of the net, though. Fernandes leads the team in backwards passes that help sustain possession, usually leading to Fernandes creating chances, of which he’s done 26 times this season. As a creator on the pitch, look for Fernandes to appear when the Rowdies need a goal at an opportune time.

Lewis Hilton

The Rowdies midfield is stacked with all sorts of playmakers this season. As one of those playmakers, Hilton leads his side with 28 chances created so far this season. With an impressive 86.3% pass completion rating, Hilton knows where to put the ball to create a threat. The Rowdies will look to Hilton Saturday if Tampa Bay is going to finally break open the Charleston back line.

Logan Gdula

Logan has made a significant impact in his first year with the club. His stat line may seem average, until you see that he’s an outside back. With 6 chances created, 2 assists, and 1 goal to his name, Gdula takes as much pride in getting into the attack as he does defending them. Look out for Gdula to make an impact on both sides of the ball in St. Petersburg Saturday.

Mauro Cichero

Mauro has filled a spot that Charleston had been missing for some time. Cichero thrives in the attacking third as he’s able to create something out of nothing nearly every time he touches the ball. He has 2 goals, 2 assists, 12 shots on target, and has created 13 chances for the Black and Yellow so far this season. The Battery will continue to use Cichero’s strengths to their benefit to keep their sights set on the Conference Finals.

From the Training Ground

After traveling back from Charlotte, the boys took a recovery day on Monday. They hit the pitch again on Tuesday to prepare for Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

“The biggest thing for us in the playoffs on the road is getting that first goal,” Coach Mike Anhaeuser commented on the first-round win. “The guys reacted really well. And that’s huge, especially having to go to a tough place like Tampa Bay this week.”

Looking at Neil Collins’ roster, he added, “They’ve made a couple of adjustments. They changed a couple players and went back to a two up top. That’s just something we’ll have to be aware of. We know everything about them, they know everything about us. Sometimes it comes down to all those little details and that’s what we’ve been stressing into this week.”

“I think it’s going to be just like Charlotte, they’re going to come out hot, push everybody up and be more aggressive. It’s going to be a great matchup. We’re excited to be able to go down there and have an opportunity to move on.”

As of posting, Romario Piggott and Kierron Mason are listed as unavailable.

MATCH INFO

Eastern Conference Semifinals
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, October 17 – 7:30 PM EST Kickoff
Al Lang Stadium

HOW TO WATCH:
Catch all the action Saturday night streaming on ESPN+

With goals on either end of 120 minutes of play, the Charleston Battery extended their season Saturday night in a 2-1 victory over the Charlotte Independence to open the USL Championship Playoffs. The win secures the Battery’s spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies for a fifth time this season.

Key Highlights

• It was a rain-soaked night in North Carolina as the game kicked off after a one-hour delay due to lightning. While both teams had opportunities to pull ahead late in regulation, it was Arthur Bosua’s header in extra time past Charlotte keeper Brandon Miller that would be the deciding factor.
   
• The Battery got on the board early with a finisher by Nicque Daley in the third minute. It was Daley’s 6th goal for the season and the third fastest goal in USL Championship playoff history.
   
• Charlotte threatened multiple times through the first and into the second half, finding their equalizing chance in the 64th minute with a rebound by Hugh Roberts flicking just past Battery keeper Joe Kuzminsky.

It was a delayed start, but the Battery didn’t delay in finding the back of the net. In the third minute, a pass from just over the halfway line was punched up by Zeiko Lewis to Mauro Cichero. Cichero, getting bumped between two Charlotte defenders, was unable to get a shot off, but the ball bounced perfectly in front of Nicque Daley who rolled it past a diving Miller. Daley now leads the team in scoring alongside Zeiko Lewis with six goals apiece.

After the fast start, the Battery attack settled down as both teams exchanged threatening chances throughout the first half. In the 15th minute a shot by Independence midfielder Rey Ortiz from the right side of the penalty area deflected off the right post. Stavros Zarokostas, coming off his first professional brace one week ago, nearly put the Battery ahead in the 23rd minute. Taking away a defensive pass back at the top of the box, Zarokostas pushed the ball forward and took a shot that was deflected wide by Miller. The Independence had another opportunity late in the first half as Luke Haakenson took a pass from Enzo Martinez to the top of the box, dribbled past two Battery defenders and put a shot towards the right corner that was blocked by Kuzminsky and cleared away by AJ Paterson. Kuzminsky protected the Battery’s lead again just before the half as a free kick in the 41st minute was put on goal from 40 yards out by Jake Areman and the Battery netminder deflected it wide.

While Charlotte threatened fifteen minutes into the second half with a shot by Ortiz 25 yards out that went just past the left post, they found their equalizer at the 64th minute. Jake Areman floated a free kick to the box into a crowd of players that nearly bounced in. Kuzminsky swatted the ball, but it couldn’t clear through and Hugh Roberts was there to put the rebound into the back of the net.

As both teams fought the rain and fatigue, Mauro Cichero had two opportunities in the 90th minute that nearly decided the game in regulation. As the Battery charged forward, a cross at the top of the box by Zeiko Lewis found Cichero who sailed it towards the top left corner only to be denied by a reaching Miller. And just 30 seconds later, a corner set piece by Robbie Crawford found Cichero perfectly placed but he was unable to redirect the header, going just left of the net and sending the game into extra time.

Early into extra time, Charlotte forward Dane Kelly, who was kept quiet for most of the night by the Battery defense, found his second opportunity in the 100th minute with a shot from the top of the box. Kelly was unable to get power behind it and it was easily scooped up by Kuzminsky.

It was Coach Mike Anhaeuser’s reinforcements that would make the difference just a minute after Kelly’s shot. Arthur Bosua, who replaced Cichero early into extra time, was perfectly positioned in the penalty area to receive a crossing free kick floated by Jarad van Schaik from 50 yards out. Charlotte’s keeper came out off the line to grab the ball on the fly, but Bosua was better positioned and directed the ball with his head over Miller and a collapsing Charlotte defense to go in the goal put the Battery ahead. “Jarad got his foot under it and I knew I had to attack it,” Bosua said of the play. “It was a pretty good height for me, but once I heard the goalie yell he was coming out to try and punch it, I knew there was nobody behind me. I tried to get as much as I could on it and flick it on to the goal. I was fortunate enough for it to go in.”

The Battery held on to the lead for the remaining nineteen minutes of extra time refusing Charlotte the equalizer even after two chances by Dane Kelly in the 103rd and 108th minutes as well as a volley by Christian Chaney in the 115th minute that went wide of the right post. The Independence pushed their keeper up in the closing minutes for a couple set pieces in an attempt to get as many bodies forward as possible, but the Battery stood firm and came out of Charlotte extending their season to the next round.

“The guys played great. We went up early and then the game was pretty open which you expect in the playoffs,” Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser said of the win. “They were pushing numbers forward the whole game. It was a very offensive game which is not always the standard for Charlotte vs. Charleston.”

The Battery now face a familiar rival in the Conference Semifinals after the Tampa Bay Rowdies won their first-round matchup against Birmingham. It will be the fifth time Charleston faces Tampa Bay this season. Looking ahead to the Conference Semifinals, Coach added, “We knew that if Tampa Bay won, we’d have to go back down there and get a result. We’re going to have to match what we’ve done in our last few games against them defensively and cause problems with our running and aggressiveness offensively. We know it’s going to be an absolute battle.”

The Battery now turn their attention to Saturday’s Conference Semifinal as they’ll travel back down to St. Petersburg to face the Rowdies on Saturday, October 17, at 7:30 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.