The Battery (7–3–8), playing in their third game in a week, welcome the reigning USL champions Louisville City FC (8–3–5) back to the Lowcountry in their first meeting between the teams this season. Charleston is trying to extend their recent unbeaten streak to six matches and pass Louisville in the table: The two teams are currently tied for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Louisville City was able to to keep most of their 2017 championship roster intact coming into the 2018 season, with a few additions at defender, third string goal keeper and a pair of midfielders. What will be missing is their entire coaching staff. As in, head coach, assistant coach and even the goalkeepers coach.

A little backstory to explain that: Louisville City started in the USL in 2015, derived from Orlando City’s USL license vacated as they moved into the MLS. The former owner, a minority owner of Orlando City, negotiated a five year agreement between the MLS club and Louisville to share players. The USL side would also be coached by player/coach James O’Connor.

O’Conner’s system worked and saw immediate success in the USL. Louisville made the playoffs each season, knocking the Battery out of the semifinal rounds in 2015 and 2016, and winning the USL Championship last season (2017).

Alright, fast forward to two weeks ago: Orlando City, in the midst of a nine-game losing streak in MLS, sacked their head coach and staff, and after negotiations with compensation due to Louisville, brought O’Connor, assistant coach Daniel Byrd and goalkeeping coach Thabane Sutu to Orlando.

As Louisville searches for a new coaching staff, management designated forward Luke Spencer as the interim head coach along with midfielders George Davis IV and Paolo DelPiccolo, forming what must a USL first, a player/coaching staff triad.

In their first baptism by fire, Louisville City managed a 2–1 away win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who also after the sacking of head coach Stuart Campbell, saw defender Neill Collins retire and assume head coaching duties.

In an unorthodox coaching situation, Spencer, the interim “head coach,” provided some insight into how Louisville is running day to day operations, planning and preparing for the Battery this weekend:

Luckily for Louisville, the odd number of interim coaches make a game of rock, paper, scissors not necessary for key decisions. Can the successful system O’Connor put in place be enough for the player/coaches to be successful moving forward? Will they continue their successful record against the Battery? We’ll find out Saturday.

The Battery sit in a tie with 29 points in third place with Louisville. A win would put the Battery alone in third, just two points behind second place Pittsburgh, who are currently in a bye week as they prepare to host the Battery on July 21 in Pittsburgh. Two wins in the next two games could see the Battery vault over both teams into a first place tie with FC Cincinnati.

USL Eastern Conference Standings for Week 18

Coach Mike Anhaeuser commented on last Saturday’s draw against NCFC on the road and the win at home Wednesday night against Indy Eleven, if that has put the Battery’s trajectory in the right direction:

“ Of course. You want to win at home. This is something I always say — winning at home gives you a lot of confidence because not only does it mean three points for you, but it also stops the opposing team from picking up points. Saturday that will be huge, since we’re tied with Louisville in the standings. If you can win nine or ten games at home, you’re going to have success in this league. That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re going to keep our focus and our defensive passion and push for another win on Saturday. The guys are doing a great job because this is a tough time in the season.”

Battery players to watch

The King of Charleston: The sauce boss, Ataulla “The Slayer” Guerra, is now tied for first in the USL Golden Boot race. Seeing limited action Wednesday night in the win against Indy, Guerra is expected to lead the assault against Louisville.

Gordon Wild: The Atlanta United loanee is making a name for himself in the USL. Having scored his second brace and with six goals on the season, Wild has the ability to link up with Guerra and the playmaker Kotaro Higashi to make the magic happen.

Predicted Battery starting XI

Kuzminsky (GK), Archer, Mueller, Hackshaw, van Schaik, Kelly, Anunga, Woodbine, Higashi, Wild, Guerra.

Available subs: Cooper (GK), Rittmeyer, Bolt, Arambula, Candela*, Mansaray, Okwonko.

Battery players not available

Injuries : Vincenzo Candela — (DOUBTFUL), Ian Svantesson — (OUT), Skylar Thomas — (OUT)

: — (DOUBTFUL), — (OUT), — (OUT) Suspensions : None

: None International duty: None

Louisville City FC players to watch

Cameron Lancaster: With Luke Spencer assuming head coaching duties in the interim, Lancaster is one of two available forwards for Louisville, who happens to be tied with Ataulla Guerra on nine goals in the race for the USL Golden Boot.

Recent form

Charleston: D | D | W| D| W

Louisville: W | D | L | D | W

Past meetings

The Battery are 1–5–3 all-time against Louisville (home: 1–1–2, away 0–4–1). Louisville also knocked the Battery out of the Eastern Conference Playoffs in in the semi-final round in both 2015 and 2016.

2017 (USL)

CHS (0), Lou (1) — Slugger Field [September 2, 2017]

CHS (1), Lou (1) — MUSC Health Stadium [July 8, 2017]

CHS (4), Lou (4) — MUSC Health Stadium [June 3, 2017]

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

While Louisville has had success in the past, it was largely because James O’Connor was at the helm. It will be tough for the player/coaches to handle Coach Anhaeuser and the Battery at home.

Charleston has developed momentum playing at home and knowing that finishing in the top four means home field advantage in the playoffs, the Battery will want to win these games against top opponents. I think we’ll see the Black and Yellow extend their unbeaten streak to six with back-to-back wins.

Final score: 2–0 Battery

USL Match Center

https://www.uslsoccer.com/charlestonbattery-louisvillecityfc-971518

Game details

What: Charleston Battery vs. Louisville City FC

Where: MUSC Health Stadium, Daniel Island, S.C.

When: Saturday, July 14, 7 p.m.

Broadcast: MyTV Charleston

Stream: with ESPN+

Officiating Crew

Referee: Greg Dopka

ARs: Walter Heatherly, Dallas Rosier

Fourth: James Boswell

Game Hashtag: #CHSvLOU

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back after the games for our recaps, read all our Battery coverage here, and, as always, follow Soccer ’n’ Sweet Tea on Twitter for all the latest Carolina soccer news.

Up the Battery!