On Sunday afternoon, the Battery traveled to a windy Lehigh Valley for their second straight road trip of the 2018 season to face the Philadelphia Union in front of 1,625 fans.

Correction, the Battery faced Bethlehem Steel FC, who only started two players, bolstered by nine of the MLS Philadelphia Union’s roster, including forward Cory Burke and goalkeeper John McCarthy.

That’s something.

My predicted Battery Starting XI was 82% correct this week. We saw the much anticipated return of Kotaro Higashi to the starting XI, as well as defender Jay Bolt earning his second USL start in his rookie season.

The Battery started in a 4–4–1–1 formation while Bethlehem Steel FC lined up in a 4–2–3–1. Bethlehem probed first against the Battery in the 11th minute, with defender Mark McKenzie finding midfielder Marcus Epps at the edge of the box, only to have Epps’ shot go just wide of the far post.

The Battery countered with a corner in the 20th minute but were unable to make anything off the set piece.

Bethlehem maintained most of the possession in the first half, but in the 42nd second minute, the Battery got on the board first. Ataulla Guerra was able to get Bethlehem’s keeper to commit and earned a corner on the right side. Battery defender and recent USL Team of Week awardee, Jarad van Schaik, sent the set piece into the box where an undefended and leaping 6'5" Skylar Thomas sent his header through traffic and past a leaping, off balanced, McCarthy.

Thomas, who scored four goals with his previous club, Toronto FC II, opened his Battery scoring account in style, worthy of a USL Goal of Week nod.

Bethlehem would press late in stoppage time in the first half. In the 49th minute (after a three minute stoppage time), Bethlehem was awarded a corner on the left side. Bethlehem’s Anthony Fontana used the wind to his advantage and sailed his kick in, but Battery keeper Odisnel “Super” Cooper jumped off to his left to slap the ball away… only to have the ball bounce around the Battery defenders trying to clear it.

That was when Bethlehem’s Burke came off the goal line and around Battery defender Taylor Mueller to get a toe touch to push it through, evening the score just before Referee Lorant Varga’s late whistle. 1–1.

In the first half, both teams contained each other near the midfield line, with Bethlehem probing, but the Battery’s defense was back on point, consistently breaking up Bethlehem’s momentum. Heat Maps below.

#BSTvCHS Heat Map

The second half saw each team with multiple scoring opportunities but unable to finish. The game ended tied at 1, and the Battery took one point away, remaining undefeated against Bethlehem Steel FC (and the Philadelphia Union).

Defensive play is back

After last week’s 5–2 shelling against the Baby Bulls, the Battery regrouped in Charleston before a trip to Pennsylvania. Standouts in the Battery’s backline included van Schaik and Bolt. As seen in the heat map above, Bethlehem pushed hard on the flanks, both in the first and second halves, but were met with van Schaik’s and Bolt’s tenacious play, breaking up several plays.

In Defense of Charleston

Tah Brian Anunga : Yet another solid performance from the juggernaut. Leading the team with 46 passes, seven tackles and five interceptions, Anunga’s numbers that should get him a nod for USL Team of the Week.

: Yet another solid performance from the juggernaut. Leading the team with 46 passes, seven tackles and five interceptions, Anunga’s numbers that should get him a nod for USL Team of the Week. Jarad van Schaik : Deadly accurate off set pieces, van Schaik earned the assist off Thomas’s header. With another solid performance the veteran tallied three interceptions and won seven of his 11 duels.

: Deadly accurate off set pieces, van Schaik earned the assist off Thomas’s header. With another solid performance the veteran tallied three interceptions and won seven of his 11 duels. Skylar Thomas: In addition to opening his Battery scoring account, Thomas had a 73.3% passing accuracy along with five clearances and one critical tackle late in the second half.

Lineup recap

Up next

The Battery return to Charleston to host the Jacksonville Armada in a friendly, April 12th at 6:00pm. Admission is free to everyone at MUSC Health Stadium. The next scheduled USL match is April 21st, away at Penn FC.

Box score

Charleston Battery — 1

Bethlehem Steel FC, powered by Philadelphia Union — 1

Goals

42’ — Charleston — Skylar Thomas (assist: Jarad van Schaik)

45+4’ — Bethlehem — Cory Burke

#BSTvCHS Highlights