I think most clubs who are sitting on top of the table would be disappointed with a 1–0 victory over the 14th (out of 15) place club. However, when it is a victory over your oldest rival, three points is all that matters, and the win kept Charleston at the top of the USL Eastern Conference table.

This was not an official Old Guard Shield match, but when Charleston and Richmond play each other, long time bragging rights are always on the line. Now, it’s the Battery that will have the edge when the clubs meet again in August for their first official Old Guard Shield match.

The Game

I know everyone around the USL is buzzing about Didier Drogba scoring his first goal, picking up his first assist, and helping Phoenix Rising FC to a victory… but there is another player’s performance from this weekend that we need to discuss.

That player is Justin Portillo. It is one thing to step up and bury a penalty kick when you are tied and in the middle of a rivalry match. However, it is something special when you have to do that twice in the span of 90 seconds.

Justin Portillo was called upon to do just that after one Battery player entered the 18 yard box prior to Portillo scoring on his first attempt. Most wondered which way he found go on his second attempt. I personally would get anxious and worry the keeper would pick the same side, and my second shot on goal would be saved. Portillo, on the other hand, plays with ice in his veins and said, “I know you know where I’m going, and I’m going to bury it in the same spot anyway.” And that is exactly what he did.

As for the rest of the match, I would have liked to see the Battery finish a few more chances, but overall the defense held the Richmond attack and Charleston finished with the win. As I said, that’s all that matters.

I will say that the Kickers did have some chances late, and I know any club that is down late will throw numbers forward and try to steal a point, but I cannot say I am 100% confident in the Battery’s ability to close out games, so the final minutes between first and fourteenth were worrisome to say the least.

I know the Battery have only lost twice all season… but both of those losses were matches where the Battery had the lead and lost it late in the second half. Charleston has also given up points late in Harrisburg (stoppage time goal that tied the score) and then gave up two late goals to draw Louisville City FC, which would have been a vital victory with LCFC having games in hand over the Battery.

I am not pulling any alarms or calling for a shuffle of the lineup in any way. The team is in first. All I am saying is that late in games I find myself a little closer to the edge of my seat than I would like to.

But that also makes this team exciting: you need to watch every second of every match. At any moment, Williams, Guerra, or just about anyone for the Battery could fire a shot into the back of the net. They could also get caught on the counter and have to grab the ball out of the back of their own net.

I just hope the Boys in Black and Yellow continue playing with the mentality that the best defense is a great offense and continue putting up offensive numbers that have not been seen in the Holy City for a long time.

Moyer’s MOTM

Justin Portillo

I feel like anyone that has read my articles previewing and recapping Battery matches knows how I feel about Portillo. He runs the show on the pitch for the Battery. He keeps the ball moving and rarely makes a mistake. He is cool under pressure, and showed that again on Saturday night with his third goal of the season while leading the team to another clean sheet.

What’s Next

The Battery will have little time to rest as they prepare for their first official meeting with their MLS affiliate Atlanta United in the fourth round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday night. There is a lot of buzz around this match and a huge crowd is expected in Atlanta.

I will have more about this matchup in my upcoming match preview where I also discuss the USL/MLS affiliation relationship from a supporters perspective.