When the referee blows the whistle Saturday night at 7:00 pm, it will have been 146 days since the New York Red Bulls II came into town and knocked the Battery out of the first round of the USL playoffs with a 4–0 gut punch. That final sent the Battery, who finished in second place in the Eastern Conference with their best regular season finish since 2010, into the offseason far sooner than all of us wanted.

As if the first round knock out was not enough, the Battery faithful watched in disbelief as midfielders and Battery veterans Justin Portillo and Maikel Chang left for the Western Conference signing with Real Monarchs SLC. Heviel Cordoves, the Battery forward who stepped up to carry the team into in the absence of Romario Williams, signed with the Richmond Kickers. Williams of course also left to return to Atlanta United.

Then, there was this tweet from FC Cincinnati.

After a disappointing 2017, FC Cincinnati set to rebuild their back line. What better way than to go after and sign Forrest Lasso, the defender that stopped FC Cincinnati’s best chance at getting three points against the Battery?

Who could forget that moment? It was 73 minutes in at Nippert Stadium, the Battery was down 2–1 and it looked like it was finally going to happen for FC Cincinnati: the Ohio team’s first ever win against Charleston.

But it was not meant to be, Lasso would beat his defender to even the score, silencing the 20,000+ FC Cincinnati fans and allowing the Battery to leave Cincinnati with a draw, keeping the unbeaten streak alive.

Now that Lasso is in blue and orange, will FC Cincinnati change history and get those elusive three points against the Battery? Let’s hope not.

Lasso silences 20,000+ fans at Nippert Stadium, June 17, 2017 (Source: Charleston Battery TV)

Predicted Charleston Battery Starting XI for Week 1

The Battery regrouped in the offseason. But coach Mike Anhaeuser, now in his 25th season with the Battery, has once again put together a team that can lead the chase to their fifth USL Championship Trophy.

Here is who I expect to see getting the start against FCC.

Goalkeeper: Odisnel “Super” Cooper.

Defenders: Jared van Schaik, Skylar Thomas, Taylor Mueller (captain) and Quinton Griffith.

Midfielders: Victor Mansaray, Tah Brian Anunga, Neveal Hackshaw and Kotaro Higashi.

Forwards: Ian Svantesson, Victor Mansaray, and Ataulla Guerra.

Substitutions: Kuzminsky (GK); Rittmeyer; Candela; Bolt; Kelly; Wild; Okonkwo

These are just my predictions based on a busy preseason, but some of them seem sure bets: Cooper, Mueller, Guerra, and Svantesson making up the spine of the Anhaeuser’s team is all but definite in 2018.

Charleston Battery Players to Watch

Ian Svantesson

Svantesson scored 11 goals with the Tulsa Roughnecks FC last season. Scoring two goals in two games during the Carolina Challenge Cup, Svantesson at 6'6" will lead the assault against FCC and try to fill Super Romario’s shoes in 2018.

Ian Svantesson (Photo Credit: Kim Morgan Gregory)

Tah Brian Anunga

Anunga has stepped up in dramatic fashion during the preseason and Carolina Challenge Cup. Along with Neveal Hackshaw, the pair shut down MLS teams Minnesota United and Atlanta United. His ability to break up the opposing teams’ plays on their attack, and his ability to get the ball forward to attacking players will be critical for the Battery to succeed.

Tah Brian Anunga (Photo Credit: Kim Morgan Gregory)

Skylar Thomas

Thomas assumes the center back role vacated by Lasso. At 6'5" he gives the Battery a height advantage on set pieces (along with Svantesson). Thomas has impressed us so far with his aggressive but clean defending on the left side. Keeping the left side clear will be imperative in any Battery win, as veteran and fellow center back and team captain, Taylor Mueller, has effectively shutdown the right side.

Skylar Thomas (Photo Credit: Kim Morgan Gregory)

Odisnel Cooper

“Super” Cooper recorded 10 shutouts against USL teams in 2017. If FCC can manage to get past the Battery’s midfield and back line, it will be up to Cooper to save the Battery to keep an undefeated streak against FCC alive. Lest we forget, it was Cooper that preserved the Battery’s lead against the onslaught that the Charlotte Independence inflicted in the last game of the regular season last year, securing the Battery that second place finish.

Odisnel “Super” Cooper (Photo Credit: Kim Morgan Gregory)

Off the Bench

Substitutions to watch for:

Nico Rittmeyer, who scored four goals in preseason against GSU.

Offseason signing Jay Bolt, with his superb defensive and ball handling skills that have impressed not only the fans, but the coaching staff as well.

Vincenzo Candela and Angelo Kelly: both have solid passing and defensive skills that have made solid impressions during the preseason.

FC Cincinnati Assessment

FC Cincinnati has yet another uphill battle. They only have 5 returning players from 2017. Along with their 17 new players, their ability to find the chemistry that a returning group of core players like the Battery have, seemed lacking in their preseason, regardless of old friend Forrest Lasso’s positive vibes in his interview with us earlier today.

Cincinnati will be without keeper Mitch Hildebrandt, who signed with Atlanta United in the offseason. The Battery maintain the height advantage which could be the difference in converting and clearing set pieces, precisely where Lasso made opposing teams pay for last year. Add on the fact that the Battery remain undefeated against FCC, and it will be Cincinnati that will need to strike first to have a chance at changing the history between these two clubs.

Past Meetings (Results are for Charleston)

2017 (USL)

2–2 (Draw away)

2–1 (Win at home)

2016 (USL)

2–1 (Win away) USL Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

1–1 (Draw away)

1–0 (Win at home)

DrewOnTarget Match Prediction

While it will be a homecoming for Lasso, there is no denying how well the Battery have played during preseason. The team’s new additions have fit right in, and it is hard to beat the system and methodology that Coach Anhaeuser brings to the pitch, especially at MUSC Health Stadium.

The Battery have not only a solid first team, but the reserves are just as proficient. FC Cincinnati will definitely come out aggressive to have a shot at a win, but the Battery will continue their two year tradition of handing FC Cincinnati their first loss of the season.

Final Score: Battery WIN 2–0

Regiment Supporters Corner

The Regiment tailgates before each Saturday match along with our friends in Queen Anne’s Revenge and la Barra. The Regiment provides the proteins and we encourage anyone coming to bring a side. Everyone brings beverages to share!

Find yourself walking by wondering what is going on? No problem. Come on by and help yourself to some food and drink and hang out for a while. We want to include as many fans as we can!

Typical Timeline:

4:00 set up/cook

5:00 begin serving food

6:15–6:30 clean and pack up

6:35 March to Stadium led by Queen Anne’s Revenge

7:00 Cheer the Battery to victory

The Regiment, Section E1 (Photo Credit: Kim Morgan Gregory)

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Can’t wait to see you at the stadium tomorrow night as Charleston begins another season pushing for championship number five. Up the Battery!