Last week when I wrote the preview of Saturday night’s game against Louisville City, part of me wanted to say that the Battery did not want this match as much as LCFC. I didn’t, but in the last 15 minutes of the match, LCFC looked more hungry and Charleston looked like a boxer who was leaning on the ropes and just hoping to get to the end of the fight. In the end, that hunger led to a two-goal comeback and a 4–4 draw that felt like a loss for the Battery faithful.

That’s not to say the Battery were outplayed: LCFC had only played 8 league games coming into Saturday night, while the Battery had played 11 league matches and 2 U.S. Open Cup matches. In fact the Battery were playing their 7th game in 22 days… they had to me tired at the end. Also, it took two deflections, a perfectly placed upper ninety and an own goal for LCFC to get the draw.

Of course, I am disappointed with a draw, especially when Charleston had three two-goal leads, but a point is a point. The Battery did not give up any ground to LCFC, and in a race to the #1 spot in the conference and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, that is what matters right now.

Would I have loved for the Battery to get some revenge and defeat LCFC? Yes, but it wasn’t meant to go that way… this time. My hope is that this result will fuel the Battery. I hope the players keep this game in their heads for the rest of the season and not let up towards the end of any match.

The Game

As always the Battery came out swinging, and they landed a sucker punch and a haymaker, both from Super Romario Williams. His goals came in the 11th and 32nd minutes, and one of them was up for USL Goal of the Week.

Charleston was rolling along then, but a deflection off the Battery ended up in the back of the net just before halftime. 2–1.

LCFC hoped that that momentum would carry over into the second half, but Maikel Chang did some dancing with the ball that left a LCFC defender looking for a doctor to help with his broken ankle and dislocated hips as he slotted home the 3rd goal of the night for the Battery.

At this time, I told myself the game was over, but it only took 12 minutes for LCFC to pull one back and make it a one goal game. The 3–2 scoreline remained for 13 minutes. In the 73rd minute, Obi Woodbine took the ball down the left flank, drove into the box and found Tricky Ricky Garbanzo, who easily put the ball into the back of the net. He was a little too excited, and for the second time in his career had supporters around the league poking fun at him.

Some will remember the last time Garbanzo made headlines, where he kicked an ad sign in frustration only to get his boot stuck. The video of that even ended up being discussed by Fox Sports’s At the Buzzer and discussed by the famous Rachel Bonnetta.

Now after Tricky Ricky scored to push the late lead to 4–2, I think every Battery supporter felt like the three points were finally secured. However, LCFC had other ideas. They continued to pressure the Battery defense and in the 79th minute former Richmond Kicker (Of course the Kickers had to play a part in something horrible happening to the Battery) Brian Ownby hit a wonder strike to make the score 4–3.

Then just three minutes later, a cross was put inside the six yard box and Forrest Lasso attempted to clear it but instead put the ball into his own net. This was the moment where a great night of soccer turned into a night most Battery supporters want to quickly forget.

The remainder of the match saw a very tired and defeated Battery team hold on for a point at home.

I am not in the business of making excuses for the players I support, but I have to give them a pass on this one. They showed LCFC that they’re at least even, if not better, but they just could not hold on. I am sure many LCFC supporters came into Saturday’s match thinking they were the better team and they probably still think that, but I don’t. The Battery were stronger, faster and used their skill and not lady luck to score their four goals.

Saturday was LCFC’s lucky night, and they were only able to muster a draw. I am very confident that the next time these clubs play the Battery will be returning home with three points and one step closer to home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

But for now its time for the Boys in Black and Yellow to get some rest. There are some big match ups coming up.

Moyer’s MOTM

Super Romario Williams

Romario has been a machine for the Battery this season. He has equaled his goal total from 2016 (10) in just 12 matches in 2017. He has been the main man for the Battery and has impacted every single match he has played in. Even though he may have ran out of gas late in the match, the entire team did too. Romario was by far the most impressive to me in this match. If the Battery are going anywhere this season, Super Romario will definitely be playing a major role in that, for sure.

What’s Next

The Battery take on the Richmond Kickers this Saturday and continue the longest active rivalry in American Pro Soccer. Then they take on Atlanta United of the MLS in another U.S. Open Cup road match a week from today. That one will be followed by a trip to Cincinnati where CFC will be hoping to avenge their playoff loss from last season.

It’s going to be a busy next ten days for the Battery, but Charleston will be ready for all three games and hope their draw on Saturday night is the beginning of another long unbeaten run.