The Charleston Battery, along with the longest win streak in the USL this season, have climbed to the top of Eastern Conference standings, tied with the team who hails from the state next to Kentucky, which remains nameless.

And tonight, the Battery enter the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in Round Two, hosting the South Georgia Tormenta who started their 2018 summer season by defeating the Myrtle Beach Mutiny last week 2–1 in Round One.

The Tormenta followed that win with a 2–2 draw this past Saturday as they traveled to Peachtree City MOBA in PDL play.

The Battery meanwhile have blazed a trail from the bottom the Eastern Conference table to tied at the top with 17 points. They are currently on a six-game undefeated streak and have won four consecutive games (the longest in the USL this season).

While the season started slow, the Battery have turned on the heat, just like the summer temps that have hit Charleston this month. A big reason for that: the game play of veteran Battery players Ataulla “The Slayer” Guerra, Tah Brian Anunga, Neveal Hackshaw, Jarad van Schaik, Captain Taylor Mueller, Skylar Thomas and GI Joe Kuzminsky, the latter of whom recorded three straight clean sheets in his first three professional starts.

But what has made the Battery so dangerous is how the newcomers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with veterans. Atlanta United rookie and German international Gordon Wild has scored three goals in as many games. Along with solid performances turned in by Vincenzo Candela and rookie Jay Bolt, the newcomers have given Coach Mike Anhaeuser an arsenal of 18 players that can shutdown opposing teams. The Battery have held opponents to three goals in the last six games (one of those being a PK on a horrendous call).

Battery players to watch

Leland Archer: The Battery’s latest signing is a towering 6'4" former College of Charleston team captain and former CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Archer played in 14 games for the Tormenta last season.

Ryan Arambula: The South Carolina native was injured in the beginning of the season and has only started in two matches, but he could be back tonight. A healthy Arambula in the midfield would be a huge threat to the Tormenta.

Predicted Battery starting XI

Beebe (GK), Thomas, Mueller ©, Archer, Woodbine, Kelly, Anunga, Rittmeyer, Guerra, Higashi and Wild.

Available subs: Cooper (GK), Kuzminsky (GK), Candela, Okwonko, Thomas, van Schaik, Hackshaw, Mansaray, Svantesson .

Bethlehem Steel FC key players

Cadu Casatis : Casatis recorded five shots and one goal in the season opener this past weekend for Tormenta.

Casatis recorded five shots and one goal in the season opener this past weekend for Tormenta. Manolo Sanchez: Sanchez, who tried out for the Battery during open tryouts, recorded four shots and one goal in the PDL season opener for Tormenta.

Recent form

Charleston: D | D| W | W | W | W

Tormenta (PDL): W | D

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

Tormenta has had success this year on the road in their first two games. But Charleston and the ‘Baud are like no place else. To draw in Charleston is as rare as the snowfall here. To win is an anomaly requiring Stephen Hawking math skills.

Expect to see the Battery get fresh legs into the match and have them make the difference like Niko Rittmeyer did in the last friendly with Georgia Southern, scoring four goals.

The Battery is one of only two lower-division clubs to advance to the Open Cup Final since the MLS era began in 1998 (read Ian Brooking’s rundown on lower-division U.S. Open Cup history, the Battery are all throughout it). Charleston advanced to the final in 2008, ultimately falling to D.C. United, 2–1, at RFK Stadium. Not sure we’ll see that run this year, but they’ll win this round.

Final score: 4–0 Battery

Game info

Charleston Battery vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. MUSC Health Stadium.

Game Hashtag: #USOC2018

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!