Tonight is going to be a huge match for both Charleston and Louisville. The Battery currently have a six-point lead over second place LCFC, but LCFC have two games in hand. A win on Saturday night could give the Battery some significant breathing room… or it could tighten up the race for the top spot in the USL Eastern Conference.

Either way, I expect to see both clubs going for it, knowing that this one matters as much as it does. It’s essentially an early playoff game, but at the least, this match should end up playing a big part in determining where the two clubs would play if they meet in the playoffs.

One thing I will say is that even though I am expecting a great game, I do not expect another eight-goal fest like earlier this season, mostly because I feel LCFC used up a lot of their luck with those two deflections and a Battery own goal the last time they met. This time, I see the ball continuing to bounce the Battery’s way. Charleston will also be a little more rested this time with no midweek U.S. Open Cup matches to worry about.

Season So Far

Battery: Charleston has a record of 10–2–4 (34 pts), putting them at the top of the USL Eastern Conference table. They have a +18 GD and have scored a total of 36 goals, tied for the most in the entire USL with the Western Conference’s Real Monarchs. The Battery have seen nine different players find the back of the net, including the USL’s leading goal scorer Romario Williams (14). Very few Battery goals are scored from individual effort, and most come from build-up play or set pieces. In fact, 27 of the clubs 36 goals have been assisted, and 10 different players have recorded assists this season. Justin Portillo and Maikel Chang are tied for the club lead in assists with 5 each.

Louisville City FC: LCFC have a record of 8–2–4 (28 pts) and are currently in second place in the USL Eastern Conference. They are six points behind the Battery but have those two games in hand, so the gap is tight. Louisville have scored 21 goals and have a GD of +10. Eight different players have scored for Louisville and there is a three-way tie for the clubs leading goal scorer: Cameron Lancaster, Brian Ownby and George Davis IV all have four goals each. Brian Ownby also co-leads the team tied with three assists, so I think it goes without saying that Ownby is the man to watch for LCFC on Saturday night. The last time these clubs met, Ownby scored the 3rd goal for LCFC, helping to spark the 4–4 comeback late in the match.

Moyer’s Match Prediction:

I expect both clubs to go for the win but also expect that both clubs will be cautious in doing so. There is a lot on the line Saturday night. This match could end up being the difference in a conference final match being played in Charleston or Louisville. In the end, the defense will hold up after an early Battery goal.

Final Score: Battery WIN 1–0

Past Meetings (Results are for Charleston)

2017 (USL)

4–4 (Draw)

2016 (USL)

1–0 (Loss) USL Eastern Conference Semifinals

1–1 (Draw)

0–2 (Loss)

2015 (USL)

2–0 (Loss) USL Eastern Conference Semifinals

2–0 (Win)

1–3 (Loss)

Player to Watch

Heviel Cordoves

Cordoves came on late last match for Romario Williams and put away his third goal of the season. This is a huge boost for the Battery forward, especially with Williams being called up by the Jamaican national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Battery supporters are hopeful that “Big Papi” can step up in Williams’ absence and put a few more balls in the back of the net. Everyone in Charleston loves the Cuban Connection between Cordoves and Chang, and we are all hoping to see it again this Saturday night.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back after the games for our recaps, read all our Battery coverage here, and as always, follow @SoccerNSweetTea on Twitter for all the latest Carolina soccer news.