The Charleston Battery hope to put last week’s brutal loss behind them as they travel to Lehigh Valley for a Sunday afternoon game against Bethlehem Steel FC. This is the second of four straight away games for the Battery.

Last week, the Battery could not avenge last year’s USL playoff loss to the New York Red Bulls II. While the Battery held the Baby Bulls close in the first half, the second half was a literal running of the Bulls as Charleston was stampeded 5–2. That was the first time a Battery team led by coach Mike Anhaeuser has given up more than four goals in a USL match.

As for the Steel, Bethlehem head coach Brendan Burke, now in his third year with the team, added 15 new players to this year’s roster including former Minnesota United forward Brandon Allen.

Bethlehem won its season opener against Richmond 4–1 but has since lost two in a row — on the road at Tampa Bay and last week at home against Nashville.

Here’s what Battery coach Anhaeuser had to say ahead of Sunday’s match:

“We’ve shifted our focus to the defensive end, obviously. I left off a little bit from harping on the guys defensively because we’ve been doing so well. We had two very good performances to open the season, so I didn’t feel that we had to. I have a very experienced group at the back, but left off of it. On the road, it’s about defending as a team. You have to defend as a unit, you have to defend from the front. “I think maybe we disregarded things defensively a bit because we did so well in the first two games and created so many chances. Things were going very well, so I felt pretty confident, but at the same time we left off of them a little bit and didn’t push them. This week we’ve really been on them. We’ve been focusing on sliding, defending, stepping, pressuring, being prepared to get the ball out and doing some things that aren’t as pretty. If we do those things correctly on Sunday, I’m confident we’ll be back on track.”

Battery players to watch

Ataulla Guerra

Guerra has consistently been one of Bethlehem’s biggest headaches. Three of his eight career goals have come against Bethlehem, including the only goal scored in last May’s 1–0 win in Charleston. Given the porous Bethlehem defense has allowed 45 shots through Week 3, there’s a good chance Guerra will be thanking the man upstairs for another USL Goal of the Week nomination come Monday morning.

Tah Brian Anunga

Anunga leads the team in goals scored (2), passes (157) and tackles (13), and is tied with Skylar Thomas and Jared van Schaik for playing every minute (270) through Week 3. Anunga has been one of the standouts on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field. Expect another performance worthy of a USL Team of the Week nod for Anunga.

Battery back line

Yes, even after a 5–2 loss, you read that right. After an anomalous performance last Saturday in New York, expect team captain Taylor Mueller to refocus the Battery back line. Mueller, Thomas and van Schaik combined have 26 tackles and 25 interceptions — key numbers that we expect will help keep the undefeated streak against Bethlehem alive.

Predicted Battery starting XI

Cooper (GK), Thomas, Mueller (C), Griffith, van Schaik, Hackshaw, Anunga, Mansaray, Guerra, Wild and Svantesson.

Available subs: Kuzminsky (GK), Beebe (GK), Bolt, Candela, Arambula, Kelly, Higashi, Okwonko.

Bethlehem Steel FC key players

Brandon Allen

The 24-year-old forward has already recorded two goals in the 2018 season (off both his left and right foot), and he earned a USL Team of the Week spot in Week 1. If Bethlehem is going to score against the Battery, Allen will have the best chance.

Matthew Mahoney

The 22-year-old defender leads the team in clearances (15), blocks (3), interceptions (8). Although Bethlehem has conceded four goals, Mahoney could be the thorn in the Battery’s side.

Who is not playing

Charleston

Nico Rittmeyer, O’Brian Woodbine

Rittmeyer has been listed as not available, injury. OB has also been listed as not available.

Bethlehem

Brandon Aubrey

Bethlehem’s key defender, Aubrey, has been suspended for one game following his red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity against Nashville SC.

Recent form

Charleston: L | W | L

Bethlehem: W | L | L

Past meetings (results are for Charleston)

The Battery is 3–0–1 all time against Bethlehem, 2–0–0 at home and 1–0–1 away.

2017: W | W

2016: D | W

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

Week 4 will be the week it finally clicks for the Battery. The defense should bounce back from last weekend’s debacle. Both Guerra and Anunga have found the back of the net now, expect to see Ian Svantesson to join that stat line as well.

Final score: 2–0 Battery. #UptheBattery

Game info

Charleston Battery at Bethlehem Steel FC, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8. Goodman Stadium, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Broadcast: MyTV Charleston

Referee: Lorant Varga

ARs: Ian McKay, Almicar Sicaju

Fourth: Jay Hutchinson

Game Hashtag: #BSTvCHS

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!