News

Chang named to USL Team of the Week

CHARLESTON – Midfielder Maikel Chang earned his first Team of the Week honor in 2016 after two great performances against Toronto FC II and Harrisburg City Islanders in week 8 of the Battery’s USL season.

The Cuban playmaker assisted Charleston’s first goal and scored the second in the team’s 2-0 win over TFC II on Saturday. Earlier in the week, Chang assisted the Battery’s second goal in a 3-2 victory over Harrisburg to bring his point total for the week to four.

Now in his fourth year with the Battery, Chang has consistently demonstrated his ability to play the killer final pass during his time in Charleston. “El Chino” registered a team-high seven assists in 2015 and is off to a good start in 2016.

Chang’s assist in Charleston’s match versus TFC II was different level in terms of quality. He received the ball on the run down the left flank and drove at the opposing back four before picking his head up and bending an early left-footed cross behind the defenders. The teasing ball eluded TFC II’s center backs and fell to the foot of Romario Williams on the back post who hammered it home.
The midfielder’s goal against TFC II was also well-taken. He received a cutback from Zach Prince around the penalty spot and slotted a first-time shot it into the lower right corner of the net for his first goal of 2016.

Chang has appeared in eight of Charleston’s nine USL games this season, missing the match in Charlotte with a foot injury. Since returning to full fitness, the midfielder has caused defenses major problems. Chang’s creative presence in Charleston’s midfield is vital to the team’s success going forward. He serves as the catalyst for many Battery attacks and routinely puts his teammates in positions to score. Chang’s vision and ability to score with either foot make him a player opposing teams always need to be aware of.

Chang was the fourth Battery player to be named to a Team of the Week this season, joining Romario Williams (week 1), Taylor Mueller (weeks 1 and 3), and Shawn Ferguson (week 5). Ferguson was also named to this week’s TOW as a reserve after a solid defensive performance against the Young Reds.

Top Image: Maikel Chang turns with the ball near midfield. 5.14.2016 – Roxy Taylor photo

Battery tops Hammerheads, 1-0

WILMINGTON, NC – The Charleston Battery defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads 1-0 at Legion Stadium Saturday night. The win was the Battery’s third straight and momentarily moved the team into a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference.

Shawn Ferguson’s goal was the difference in the game as Charleston recorded its second straight and fifth shutout of the year. The two Carolina teams spent much of the first half feeling each other out as the ball bounced around the Legion Stadium turf like a pinball. Neither team created much in terms of scoring chances in the run of play.

In a choppy game like the one played Saturday night, set pieces become even more important. Ferguson’s goal came off of a Justin Portillo corner kick in the 33rd minute. The Battery captain ran towards the near post unmarked and flicked Portillo’s driven ball with the outside of his right boot past Wilmington goalkeeper John Smits.

At 6-5, Ferguson typically scores with his head, but the center back caught the Hammerheads’ defenders napping and snuck into the six yard box for an easy finish. The goal was Ferguson’s first of 2016; the assist was Portillo’s third, tying Maikel Chang and Zach Prince for the team-high.

Charleston saw the rest of the game out pretty comfortably as Wilmington failed to put the pieces together in the attacking third. The Hammerheads pressed the Battery in the beginning of the second half, but never really broke down Charleston’s back four. Odisnel Cooper got the start in goal and commanded his penalty area well, punching away the few dangerous crosses Wilmington managed to swing in.

The second half got chippy, as most games between the Carolina rivals do. The referee issued six cards in the second 45 including a red card to Wilmington captain Liam Miller. Miller was sent off in the 78th minute for pulling Dante Marini back as the last man defending a Battery counterattack.

Heviel Cordoves made his first appearance since April 9th in Saturday’s match, entering the game as a substitute in the 73rd minute. The Cuban forward looked good in his first run-out in over a month. Cordoves put a dangerous volley on frame in the 79th minute, forcing Smits to make a good save in order to keep his side in it. Despite Smits’ best efforts, a short-handed Wilmington came up short and the Battery headed home with all three points.

The win moves Charleston to 5-2-3 on the year and into a tie for second place with the New York Red Bulls II on 18 points. NYRBII have played one less game than the Battery and will take on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds next week.

Following the win in Wilmington, Charleston will return home to MUSC Health Stadium on 5/28 to take on first-place Louisville City FC. Come out and watch as the Battery attempts to extend its home unbeaten streak to 30 games and win its fourth straight in league play.

Box Score:

Legion Stadium – Wilmington, NC

CHARLESTON BATTERY: Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Shawn Ferguson (c) (goal, 33rd), Forrest Lasso, Emmanuel Adjetey, Zach Prince (yellow card, 69th); (Neveal Hackshaw, 80th), Justin Portillo (yellow card, 75th), Ataulla Guerra (Chris Tsonis, 86th), Maikel Chang, Ricky Garbanzo (yellow card, 63rd) (Dante Marini, 70th), Romario Williams (Heviel Cordoves, 73nd)

Unused subs: Alex Tambakis, Austin Savage, Jose Nazareno,

WILMINGTON HAMMERHEADS: John Smits, Michael Mecham, Peobo De Doue, Liam Miller (c) (red card, 78th), Mael Corboz , Logan Miller (Qudus Lawal, 66th) Ashani Fairclough, Bruno Perone, Austin Martz (Kyle Parker, 88th), Justin Moose (Jeff Michaud, 45th; yellow card, 60th), Casey Townsend (Matthew Barnes-Homer, 64th; yellow card, 67th)

Unused subs: Eric Ati, Zev Taublieb

Top Image: Zach Prince and Peobo De Doue battle for a 50/50 ball in the first half on 5.21.2016

Charleston travels to Wilmington

The Charleston Battery departed for Wilmington, North Carolina on Friday afternoon in preparation for its third match of the Southern Derby Cup versus the Hammerheads Saturday night. Charleston are 1-1-0 in the Cup this season while Wilmington is 0-1-1. The Battery beat Wilmington 2-1 in the teams’ first match-up and fell to Charlotte on the road 3-2 on April 16th. The Hammerheads and the Independence tied 1-1 on May 10th.

Both Wilmington and Charleston are coming off midweek wins in the U.S. Open Cup, but the roads to those results could not have been more different. The Hammerheads coasted to a 6-0 win over NPSL side Miami Fusion at Legion Stadium on Wednesday night. Casey Townsend registered two assists and Austin Martz scored two goals and chipped in with an assist as Wilmington cruised in to the third round of the Open Cup.

Charleston’s path to the third round was a little bumpier to say the least. The Battery were beaten in penalties by The Villages SC, a Player Development League team located in central Florida, on the back of a stand-out performance by goalkeeper Paulo Pita. It looked as if Charleston’s Cup run had come to an abrupt and unexpected end, but the team advanced after The Villages were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

Now that the drama of the Open Cup has settled, the Carolina rivals will turn their attention back to the league. Coming off two straight wins, the Battery is in the middle of a good run of form in the league, while the Hammerheads are winless in their last four USL games. The matches between Charleston and Wilmington are always tightly contested and with three big points on the line, Saturday will likely follow suit.

SCOUTING WILMINGTON:

The Hammerheads haven’t won a USL game in over a month. Wilmington’s last win was on April 17th versus last place FC Montreal. Despite the negative results, all of the Hammerheads’ games have been close, with all but one, its win over Montreal, being decided by one goal.

Following the draw at home against Charlotte on May 10th, head coach Mark Briggs expressed his displeasure with the now normal trend of his side creating scoring chances but coming up empty in terms of goals and points. The Hammerheads will be looking to carry the momentum from the offensive outbreak in the Open Cup on Wednesday into the match against the Battery.

Mael Corboz is vital to Wilmington’s offense clicking. The midfielder leads the team in assists with three, which is good enough to tie the league-high. Corboz delivers a great ball from set pieces and assisted Wilmington’s only goal in the game against the Battery on April 9th.

Bruno Caldini Perone is more often than not the player who gets on the end of Corboz’s service from free kicks. Perone is a 6-4 center back, but leads the team in USL goals with three. All three of Perone’s goals have come from dead ball situations. His 6-4 frame make him a threat on every attacking free kick as demonstrated by the goal he scored at MUSC Health Stadium on April 9th.

The Hammerheads have added three players to its roster since its last match versus the Battery. Most notable is forward Casey Townsend who most recently played for Oklahoma City Energy. The former first-round MLS draft pick made 26 appearances in the league before being loaned the the USL. While on loan with the Richmond Kickers from D.C. United, Townsend Kickers tallied two goals in a win over the Battery on April 13, 2013.

The first team All-American has only been with Wilmington for a short time and made his first appearance on Wednesday versus Miami Fusion. If he features against the Battery, he’ll add a threat to score in the run of play.

BATTERY UPDATE:

Charleston has scored nine goals in its previous four games and will be looking to continue its offensive production at Legion Stadium on Saturday. Romario Williams has scored in three straight games and will be hoping to add to his goal total. The Jamaican center forward is currently fourth in the league in scoring with six goals.

Along with Williams, Maikel Chang has been instrumental in the Battery’s offensive consistency over the last few gams. The Cuban midfielder has been the primary creative force for Charleston, routinely putting his teammates in good positions to score. Chang earned a spot on the USL Team of the Week after scoring a goal and proving an assist against Toronto FC II on May 14th.

Forward Heviel Cordoves appeared on the bench versus The Villages on Wednesday night for the first time since April 9th after suffering a neck injury in training leading up to Charleston’s game versus Charlotte. Cordoves did not appear in the match, but his presence on the bench was be a welcomed addition for Coach Anhaeuser.

Chris Tsonis scored his first goal in a Battery jersey versus The Village in the Open Cup. Tsonis scored an equalizer on a corner kick swung in by Chang in the second half of Wednesday’s match. Outside midfielder Dante Marini also scored his first goal of the season in the match versus The Villages.

Nine different players have scored goals for Charleston this season, proving that the Battery attack is multidimensional. While the team will rely on Williams to continue to score goals, Charleston has demonstrated that it can hurt teams in different ways. The Battery continues to be dangerous from free kicks, scoring about half of its goals from dead ball situations in 2016.

During the offensive outbreak, Coach Anhaeuser has emphasized getting the ball wide and swinging crosses into the penalty area. Along with outside midfielders Chang and Zach Prince, outside backs O’Brian Woodbine, Quinton Griffith, and Emmanuel Adjetey have been vital in Charleston’s attacking presence. All five players have run the flanks well and served dangerous balls into Battery forwards in front of goal. Look for more of the same versus Wilmington on the sketchy surface at Legion Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7:00pm, fans can watch the live stream here: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/13218402

Top Image: Zach Prince and Mael Corboz battle for the ball during Wilmington’s visit to MUSC Health Stadium on 4.9.2016. Vin Duffy photo.

Villages SC disqualified, Battery back in USOC

CHARLESTON – U.S. Soccer Federation officials confirmed Thursday evening that The Villages SC has been disqualified from the U.S. Open Cup after the team fielded an ineligible player in Wednesday night’s match. As a result of the Federation’s decision, the Battery will advance to the third round of the Open Cup.

Charleston Battery president Andrew Bell,

“We are looking forward to continuing in the 2016 edition of the national championship. It’s an unusual situation but we will abide by US Soccer’s decision and prepare for the next round.”

One of Villages SC’s players featured in games for Boca Raton FC during the USOC qualification rounds in the fall, making him a cup-tied player. The Player Eligibility section of the U.S. Open Cup Handbook reads:

“(c) Any player who plays any part of an Open Cup match for a team, including any match in any Open Division qualifying round, may not be included in the Open Cup roster or play for any other team in the Open Cup competition for that competition year.

(d) If any team plays in ineligible player in an Open Cup match, that team is subject to fines or other penalties, including game forfeiture, as determined by the Adjudication and Discipline Panel”

Following the decision, the Battery will travel to play the Jacksonville Armada on June 1st at 7:00pm. The teams will play at Southern Oak Stadium on Jacksonville University’s campus. The winner of the match will advance to face Orlando City SC of the MLS in the fourth round.

Top Image: Forward Chris Tsonis celebrates his first goal in a Battery jersey vs. The Villages on 5.18. Vin Duffy photo

Paulo Pita carries The Villages past Charleston

CHARLESTON – The Villages SC upset the Charleston Battery in penalties in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night at MUSC Health Stadium. The loss eliminated the Battery from the tournament while their opponents march on to face the Jacksonville Armada.

The PDL side opened the scoring in the 24th minute through center forward Carlos Araujo. Araujo received the ball inside the penalty area and calmly slotted it under goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.

Playing from behind, Charleston controlled the rest of the half and created several quality scoring opportunities. Villages goalkeeper Paulo Pita, who was immense all night, kept the Battery attack from converting until the stroke of halftime. It took something spectacular from outside midfielder Dante Marini to beat Pita for the equalizer. Marini cut through two defenders on the right side of the penalty area before curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the back post.

The teams went into the break tied at one, with Charleston looking to be firmly in the driver’s seat. The Battery controlled the game in the second half, just as it did in the majority of the first half, but it was the visitors who grabbed a go-ahead goal in the 66th minute.

Outside midfielder Danilo Dias sent in a perfect cross from the right flank that found the head of Araujo who finished easily for his second goal in the match. Araujo was a handful all night and represented the majority of The Villages attack.

Following the goal, the Battery peppered The Villages penalty area with crosses and shots, but Pita stood tall and kept his team in front. Charleston finally broke through in the 81st minute by way of Chris Tsonis. The center forward scored his first goal in a Battery jersey to tie the game at two.

Tsonis’ goal came from one of Charleston’s 17 corner kicks in the match. Midfielder Maikel Chang hit a driven in-swinging corner and Tsonis rose up to meet it, driving it past Pita. The Battery looked dangerous on corner kicks throughout the night, forcing Pita to make several last ditch saves to bail his team out.

The game ended tied 2-2 after 90 minutes, forcing two 15 minute extra time periods. Charleston was the better team throughout extra time and spent almost the entirety of the 30 minutes in The Villages defensive third of the field. Pita came up huge for his side on several occasions in the extra time periods and was the difference maker when the game went to penalties.

Pita saved Charleston’s first two penalties, while his side converted theirs. Romario Williams and Ricky Garbanzo scored the Battery’s third and fourth penalties to put pressure on The Villages’ shooters, but the visitors calmly tucked away all four of their penalties, sealing the victory.

Charleston faces a quick turnaround following the loss. The Battery heads to Wilmington to take on the Hammerheads on Saturday night at 7:00pm. The game is at Legion Stadium and will be streamed on uslsoccer.com.

Box Score:

CHARLESTON – Alex Tambakis, O’Brian Woodbine, Shawn Ferguson (c), Forrest Lasso, Emmanuel Adjetey, Dante Marini (goal, 45th) (Zach Prince, 67th; yellow card), Justin Portillo, Neveal Hackshaw, Maikel Chang, Austin Savage (Ricky Garbanzo, 67th), Chris Tsonis (goal, 81st)(Romario Williams, 101st)

Unused subs: Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Cole Gulledge, Heviel Cordoves

THE VILLAGES SC – Paulo Pita, Caue Carvalho, Yago Lopes, Danilo Dias, Antonio Rodriguez (yellow card, 40th) (Archie Massen, 81st), Roberto DeLima, Pedro Dias (yellow card, 79th), Carlos Alvarenga (Federico Oliveira, 63rd), William Pereira Da Silva (Wesley Pereira, 86th), Paulo Vaz, Carlos Araujo

Top Image: Dante Marini scores a first half equalizer vs. The Villages SC. Vin Duffy photo

Battery cruises to 2-0 win over TFC II

CHARLESTON – The Charleston Battery defeated Toronto FC II 2-0 Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. Goals from Romario Williams and Maikel Chang helped the Battery extend its home unbeaten streak to 29 games.

Charleston started the game on the front foot and never looked back. The Battery relentlessly pressed TFC II from the first whistle, which led to an early opening goal in the tenth minute. A streaking Maikel Chang received the ball from Ricky Garbanzo down the left flank and ran at TFC II’s back four. Chang played a perfect early cross behind Toronto’s defense to the foot of Romario Williams who hammered it in at the back post to give the Battery an early 1-0 lead.

The goal was Williams third in as many games and sixth on the year. The Jamaican center forward is currently third in scoring in the entire USL.

He commented on the goal scoring run: “I’m just in a rhythm right now. I’m just trying to stay focused and bring the same energy and attitude game in and game out and try to get myself on the scoresheet. The guys have been doing well and getting me the ball in good positions, good spots to finish, and I’ve been doing my job pretty well. I’m just hoping to keep it going.“

Charleston led the way through the majority of the first half, creating the better of the scoring chances. TFC II had its best spell of possession of the entire game around the 21st minute, but it led to nothing and the Battery went into the break up a goal.

It was more of the same from Charleston in the second half as the Battery started quickly out of the locker room again. Chang scored the team’s second goal three minutes into the second 45. Zach Prince picked the ball up near the end line on the left side of the field and found Chang with a great cut back near the penalty spot. The Cuban midfielder hit a first-time left-footed shot that found the bottom corner of the goal.

Charleston saw the rest of the game out easily, thwarting any chances TFC II created before they became dangerous. The Battery’s back four looked strong throughout and were untroubled for the most part. Odisnel Cooper got the start in goal and made a fantastic save in the first half to preserve Charleston’s one goal advantage, but had little to do beyond that. The clean sheet was the Battery’s first since its match with Bethlehem Steel FC on April 24th.

For the first time this season, the Battery put together a complete performance for 90 minutes at both ends of the pitch and the result was a comfortable 2-0 win. After struggling in the attacking third in the early part of the season, Charleston is gelling offensively. The Battery have scored seven goals in three games, with five different players getting on the scoresheet.

Coach Anhaeuser: “We’re getting in behind defenses a little better and getting the easier chances. Romario finished another one off tonight and then Chang finished a nice one right at the beginning of the second half so it’s good that we have other weapons. Romario’s really causing defenses problems right now.”

Charleston’s unbeaten streak has lasted over two years with the team’s last defeat coming on May 10, 2014. Anhaeuser commented, “The big thing is we got the win at home. You’re always happy when you pick up three points. We kept the streak going, but that’s not something we’re going to worry about. We just want to get three points every home game.”

Charleston plays Villages S.C. in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday before going on the road next Saturday to face Carolina rival Wilmington Hammerheads.

BOX SCORE:

Attendance: 5,481

MUSC Health Stadium — Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON BATTERY: Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller (Forrest Lasso, 45th), Shawn Ferguson (c), O’Brian Woodbine, Zach Prince (Jose Nazareno, 82nd), Justin Portillo, Neveal Hackshaw, Maikel Chang (Dante Marini, 67th), Ricky Garbanzo (Austin Savage, 75th), Romario Williams (goal, 10th) (Chris Tsonis, 68th)

Unused substitutes: Alex Tambakis, Emmanuel Adjetey

TORONTO FC II: Alex Bono (c), Wes Carpie, Mitch Tainter (yellow card, 22nd) (Nikola Statkic, 84th), Robert Boskovic (yellow card, 40th), Anthony Orsorio, Liam Fraser, Adam Bouchard (Brian James, 63rd), Aiden Daniels (Luca Uccello, 68th), Malik Johnson (Martin Davis, 63rd), Shaan Hundak (yellow card, 59th), Sal Bernal (Rich Lord Ennin, 75th)

Unused substitutes: Filippo DiBernardo, Jacob Maurutto,

TOP IMAGE: Battery midfielder Neveal Hackshaw turns with the ball at midfield. Roxy Taylor photo.

WYNTK: Charleston vs. Toronto FC II

The Battery takes on TFC II in its ninth USL game of the year. Charleston is returning home from a two-game road trip after picking up a big win in Harrisburg on Monday night. Here’ what you need to know for tonight’s match.

MILITARY NIGHT: All active duty and retired military get free entry into tonight’s match with a valid I.D. There will be military will call tables set up outside of both the East and West gates. Show your I.D. at the will call table and get free tickets for you and your family.

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY: We’re giving away special camo Battery t-shirts to the first 500 people through the gates tonight. Gates open at 6:00pm

JERSEY AUCTION: The Club is auctioning off game-worn camo jerseysonline. The online auction means you don’t have to miss any of the game and you can bid even if you can’t make the game! You can register to bid here: https://my.bidr.co/events/militarynight. Proceeds from the auction go to Carry The Load, a non-profit that provides active ways to honor the countless military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping our country safe. The auction is live, so you can bid RIGHT NOW, and ends tonight at 9:00pm.

FIREWORKS: Fans can watch fireworks from the field tonight.

FORECAST: It’s a perfect day for soccer, clear skies and temperatures in the mid-70’s around game time. Come out and enjoy the great weather!

TICKETS: You can order the exact seats you want in advance online by clicking here, or you can call our ticket office at 843.971.GOAL (4625). We’ve got box offices at both the East and West gates if you like to walk up and buy. Seats start at $10.

If you’ve been told that tickets, passes or wristbands will be reserved for you, you will find them at the Will Call tent outside the West Ticket Window. If you have problems, the Will Call staff will either assist you or contact a member of our ticketing staff.

PARKING: Parking at the stadium is $5 per vehicle.

WEBCAST: The webcast of tonight’s match, produced by Tourbeau Sports Group, will be available here.

TAILGATING: Our various supporters groups are back to a unified tailgate party for 2016, with The Regiment (our official supporters group) joining Queen Anne’s Revenge and Charleston Battery La Brava along the treeline at the northern edge of the parking lot on the east side of the stadium. The Regiment will be grilling this afternoon, with set-up at 4:30 and food ready by 5:30 p.m.

All fans, including fans who have never participated in a supporters’ group before, are welcome to attend the Regiment tailgate. If you wish, bring a side dish, or beverages for the Community Cooler. You can also just leave a donation to cover the cost of whatever you eat or drink, if you wish. Memberships in The Regiment will be on sale at the tailgate, or at their table under the West Stand. It’s $20, and includes cool items.

GATES: The stadium opens at 6 p.m. Remember: MUSC Health Stadium operates on a No Re-Entry policy. We will make special exemptions for emergencies, and for members of recognized supporters group who have business to attend.

THREE LIONS CLUB: You must have a pass or an appropriate wristband to access our English-styled pub on the second floor of the stadium before or after the match. We sell season memberships to the TLC, and they include a pre-match buffet.

MARCH TO THE MATCH: Our supporters will enter the stadium in their now-traditional March to the Match. All Battery fans who wish to join them are invited. Here’s how:

At 6:45 p.m., the leaders of our supporters groups will begin organizing the march at the tailgate, and they’ll be underway by about 7 p.m. The march will proceed outside the South Concourse and around to the Three Lions Gate under the West Stand. If you show up at the tailgate, you’ll be welcomed into the group. If you’re headed toward the stadium and you spot the march going by, just jump in and start singing. We’ll have staff at the side gate to scan your ticket when the march arrives.

After scanning in there, the march will re-form inside the stadium and continue back across the South Concourse to the E1 Supporters Section, where it disbands.

FREE TIX FOR E-1 MUSICIANS: We offer free E1 Supporters Section tickets to fans who show up with musical instruments.

Here’s how it works: If you bring a real musical instrument (toys don’t count) to the Will Call tent, the club will provide you entry at no charge to play in our E-1 Supporters Section. Now, to be clear: You can’t play drums and horns in other sections. But E-1 welcomes musicians.

ABOUT THE SUPPORTERS SECTION: We have loyal supporters who sit all around the stadium, but E-1 is where our loudest, most passionate fans congregate. It’s reserved for Battery fans only, and the rules are different.

Standing is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. And when the Battery score, it’s not uncommon for our supporters to set off yellow, handheld, non-flammable, non-toxic smoke bombs. If you’re seated near E-1 and have a problem with this, please speak to a member of our match day staff, and we’ll move you to a different part of the stadium.

MATCH HASHTAGS: #CHSvTOR, #cb93, #USL, #USLRising

Match Preview: Battery vs. Toronto FC II

Both the Battery and Toronto FC II come into Saturday’s match on the back of huge wins. Charleston beat Harrisburg on Monday to earn its first victory away from home this season and TFC II defeated Richmond in a midday match on Wednesday to earn its second win overall.

The game against the City Islanders was the second of a long two-game road trip for the Battery. Charleston fell to Rochester, 3-2, in the first leg of the trip then defeated Harrisburg by the same score three days later. The team returned training at MUSC Health Stadium on Wednesday to prepare for Toronto.

Prior to the victory over the Richmond at Ontario Soccer Centre on Wednesday, TFC II were winless in four straight. During the winless streak, the Young Reds lost three games in a row to FC Cincinnati, Louisville City FC, and Richmond. The three points on Wednesday put TFC II back in the mix in the middle of the table, leapfrogging Bethlehem Steel FC and Orlando City B.

Mexican forward Sal Bernal scored the game-winner in the 75th minute of TFC II’s clash with Richmond earlier this week. Toronto coach Jeff Bent commented, “It was a huge win for our confidence. To get over that finish line was a great feeling. We challenged a number of our players before the game and they came up big.”

SCOUTING TFC II:

After a difficult start to the season, TFC II will hope the victory over the Kickers will springboard them into a bit of a run over the next few games. Toronto’s only other win of the season came in week two against Canadian rival FC Montreal. The Young Reds tied NYRB II in the season-opener and Pittsburgh Riverhounds in week three. TFC II currently sits in the bottom half of the table and will be looking to steal a few points on its three game road trip which begins in Charleston on Saturday night.

Despite winning just two of its opening seven games, TFC II looks to be an improved side from the one that finished in second-to-last place a year ago. The Young Reds ended with a -26 goal differential and a record of 6-5-17 in its first year in the league in 2015. TFC II is a young team still searching for an identity in year two, but its making positive strides and carries a dangerous attacking threat in the form of Raheem Edwards.

The winger has scored four of his team’s eight goals this season. Edwards is the only player on TFC II’s roster with multiple goals and is also the only TFC II player to play in every game this season. The 20-year old attacker hasn’t missed a minute of USL play yet this year and has attempted a team-high 23 shots.

Despite his age, Edwards has grown into a leadership role in Toronto. The Canadian attacker has taken it upon himself to show the youngsters the ropes and spearhead the improvement at the club.

TFC II is a direct affiliate of Toronto FC of the MLS, meaning the club is used to develop players. With 12 teenagers on its roster, TFC II has one of the youngest teams in the league. The youngsters are not just training dummies either, most have earned minutes this season. Among the teenagers is 16-year old TFC Academy player Shaan Hundal who has appeared in six of TFC II’s seven games this year.

At 23, Molham Babouli brings a bit of experience to the young roster. Babouli played 20 games for TFC II last season and led the team in scoring before signing a contract with the first team. Toronto FC has since loaned Babouli back to TFC II for the 2016 season. Babouli has only played in two games this season and has yet to find the back of the net, but possess the ability to impact the game.

Battery fans will remember Babouli from his last visit to Charleston. The 5-9 forward made his USL debut and scored the game’s opening goal in a 3-2 loss to the Battery last March. Babouli made the USL Team of the Week for his efforts in TFC II ‘s only previous visit to MUSC Health Stadium.

Babouli is one of ten MLS players on loan with TFC II. Among the loanees is Christopher Mannella who also made his USL debut at MUSC Health Stadium last season. The Toronto FC homegrown player is one of biggest creative threats in TFC II’s midfield. The combination of Mannella and Edwards can cause opposing defenses trouble.

BATTERY UPDATE:

Charleston will be full of confidence heading into Saturday’s match following a successful road trip. Despite dropping three points at Rochester last Friday, the Battery squad will feel good about the road trip.

Quinton Griffith in training. July 2015

With five goals in two games, the Charleston’s attacking problems seem to be solved. Although Coach Anhaeuser deployed two vastly different lineups and tactics, Charleston looked dangerous in both games last weekend. In the game versus Rochester, the Battery resorted to playing route one football and pressing the Rhinos high up the field. The strategy was affective and Charleston created the more threatening of the scoring chances as the match wore on.

A late penalty for a questionable O’Brian Woodbine handball prevented the Battery from earning a tough point on the road against Rochester, the game ended 3-2. Romario Williams and Ricky Garbanzo scored Charleston’s goals. Garbanzo’s goal was his first in the league and first since his brace versus the New York Cosmos on 3/19. If the second-year forward can continue to chip in with goals, as he did throughout 2015, the Battery attack will be difficult to stop.

Williams has been the catalyst of Charleston’s attack coming to life. The Jamaican center forward scored a goal in each game on the road trip to add to his team-high five goals, which is good enough for third in the league. Both of Williams goals were well taken and showed the striker’s MLS-caliber quality. The 21-year old also assisted Garbanzo’s goal last Friday bringing his point total for the season to 11, with five coming on the road trip alone.

Forrest Lasso and Austin Savage were the other two goal-scorers in Charleston’s 3-2 win over Harrisburg on Monday night, each scoring their first goals of the year. For Savage, it was the first USL goal of his career, for Lasso it was his first since his dramatic extra-time game-winner in the 2015 playoffs. Maikel Chang was back to his best versus the City Islanders, the Cuban playmaker looked dangerous throughout and picked up an assist along the way.

Both Lasso’s goal and Savage’s 80th minute game-winner came off of free kicks. With Charleston’s height and Justin Portillo’s delivery, the Battery have the ability to score from virtually every dead ball in the attacking third. Four of the team’s 11 goals have come from free kicks or penalties.

With two games in four days and a long road trip, Coach Anhaeuser rotated the squad in the second match versus Harrisburg. The rotated starting XI included Chris Tsonis, Forrest Lasso, Dante Marini and Zach Prince playing centrally. O’Brian Woodbine and Taylor Mueller started on the bench, missing their first starts of the year.

With the positive result last time out and most players available, Anhaeuser will have choices to make regarding Saturday’s starting lineup. Barring injury, the spine of the team will stay the same. Expect to see in-form Shawn Ferguson, Justin Portillo and Romario Williams playing in their usual positions.

Top Image: Dante Marini races past a Wilmington Hammerheads defender. 5/30/15. Vin Duffy Photo

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