With passports in hand, the Charleston Battery (5–3–7) head north this weekend for a Sunday match against a terrible Toronto FC II team (0–12–3) for the first time this season. The Battery will be part of a Canada Day soccer doubleheader that will see the defending MLS champions, Toronto FC, host the New York Red Bulls in MLS play at 4:30 p.m. In USL play, Toronto FC II take on the Battery at 8:00 p.m. on the same pitch at BMO Field.

Canada Day? Yes, July 1 is Canada Day. The holiday “celebrates the anniversary of the Constitution Act of 1867, which united the three separate colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a single Dominion within the British Empire called Canada.” (source)

Interesting fact: Canada Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, moose petting exhibits, poutine eating contests, free musical concerts and maple syrup.

Another interesting fact: TFC II is the only team in the USL that has not won a match this season. However, their eight match losing streak was halted with a come from behind draw against WKRP FC in Cincinnati on Wednesday night. Currently with 22 points, the Battery sit in seventh place on the table, three points behind third place Louisville FC.

TFC II have the bottom of the table secured.

Eastern Conference Standings for Week 16

When asked about what improvements he is making ahead of the TFC II match, Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser said:

“I think we just want to try to get a little sharper in the offensive third. We’ve been talking about trying to get an extra guy or two into the box to put them under pressure because they have some young defenders. They take some risks, so we want to pressure them into mistakes if we can. They’re very good up front. They have some good young attackers. We have to be prepared defensively, but I think the key is going to be our offensive third production. If we can get in there a few more times than we’ve been able to in the past few games, then we’re going to be good.”

USL Team of the Week for Week 15 selectee and Battery Defender, Skylar Thomas had this to say about his upcoming homecoming with his former team:

“I watched their game against Cincinnati [Wednesday] night and it was a good performance. They fought back from 3–1 down to earn a 3–3 draw with two late goals. They’re a very fast squad. They have two fast wingers that can get up and down and two good strikers in the box. They’re a good squad and they don’t give up. Doesn’t matter what the situation is or what the score is, they fight until the last minute, so they’ll be a tough team to play against.”

Battery players to watch

The Attacking Trio: Ataulla Guerra, Gordon Wild, and Kotaro Higashi. All three have found the back of the net now this season, with Higashi doing it nutmeg style in Charlotte. Charleston needs to get points on the board early and often. The defense has been consistent, but the attacking trio need to be the ones to put points on the board.

Predicted Battery starting XI

Kuzminsky (GK), Hacksaw, Mueller (Captain), Thomas, Woodbine, Anunga, Kelly, van Schaik, Wild, Guerra, Higashi.

Available subs: Cooper (GK), Bolt, Rittmeyer, Arambula, Mansaray, Archer, Okonkwo, Candela*, Svantesson*

Battery players not available*

Injuries : Vincenzo Candela — (Doubtful), Ian Svantesson — (Doubtful)

: — (Doubtful), — (Doubtful) Suspensions : None

: None International duty: None

Toronto FC II key players

Jordan Hamilton: Hamilton has scored two goals in three starts for Toronto FC II, and he was crucial in the Baby Reds’ rally to draw even Wednesday night.

Toronto FC II players not available

Injuries : None

: None Suspensions : None

: None International duty: None

Recent form

Charleston: D | D | L | D | D

Toronto FC II: L | L | L | L | D

Past meetings (results are for Charleston)

Battery leads all-time in the series 4–2–0, with a home record of 3–0–0 and a away record of 1–2–0. Toronto FC II has never won at MUSC Health Stadium.

2017 (USL)

0–1 (Loss at Toronto)

6–1 (Win at Home)

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

Never count out a team. There is no such as thing as a sure thing.

Both of these statements ring true. Just when you thought WKRP FC in Cincinnati were going to walk into Toronto and take 3 easy points, TFC II came back to draw even. Last year, after a 6–1 rout in Charleston in June, the Battery lost 1–0 to TFC II in Toronto in August.

The Battery have cleaned up defensively, no longer awarding the opposing team fouls and penalty kicks for goals in the last two weeks. That along with the fact that TFC II had to go to 110% on the reactor to draw even with visitors from Ohio just a few nights ago… I fully expect to see heavy legs surrender goals and the Battery get the win, even with their 4–1–2–1–2 formation.

Final score: 3–0 Battery

Game details

What: Toronto FC II vs. Charleston Battery

Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada.

When: Sunday, July 1, 8:00 p.m.

Broadcast: MyTV Charleston

Stream: ESPN+

ESPN + Live Stream

USL Match Center

Referee: Carol Anne Chenard

ARs: Chantal Boudreau, Kathryn Nesbitt

Fourth: Yusri Rudolf

Game Hashtag: #TORvCHS #canadaday #USL

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!