After five USL matches and two U.S. Open Cup matches at home, the Charleston Battery are headed west to Indianapolis to take on Indy Eleven, which finished at the bottom of the table in the now-defunct NASL last fall.

The Battery (5–2–4) are in the middle of a 10 match unbeaten streak (including USL and U.S. Open Cup play) and sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, just three points behind first place Louisville City. Indy Eleven(4–4–2) is coming off its fourth loss of the season (4–1 to the Baby Bulls in NYC) and also lost in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup to NPSL’s Mississippi Brilla (former club of midfielder Angelo Kelly).

Indy sits in ninth place, just under the playoff cut line with 14 points.

This is the first match between the Battery and Indy Eleven. Both teams have five shutouts, putting them among the best in the USL. The Battery have only given up four goals in the previous 10 games and haven’t given up a goal in the run of play since April 21.

Battery Players to Watch

Charleston’s Lethal Weapon reboot: Getting on the board early will be the task of Ataulla “The Slayer” Guerra and Gordon “Die Torjaeger” Wild. Expect Indy Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, who has recorded five clean sheets this season, to defend well, but fall victim like Matt Pickens and Nashville did this past Saturday.

Kotaro Higashi: Higashi is playing some of his best soccer since he arrived in Charleston last year. His impressive ball handling and play creation have helped the Battery all season. While he has not found the back of the net, Battery faithful are preparing for the celebration when does.

Indy Eleven players to watch

Sonny Saad: Saad leads Indy with three goals, and has 20 total shots with nine on target.

Zach Steinberger: Steinberger is one of only three Indy Eleven players (with Saad and Williams) to play in all 10 of their matches. The midfielder has 308 passes with 82 percent passing accuracy. If he can manage to get the ball through the Battery defense to Saad it could be dangerous.

Predicted Battery starting XI

Kuzminsky (GK), Thomas, Mueller, Hackshaw, Bolt, Anunga, Candela, van Schaik, Higashi, Guerra, Wild.

Available subs: Cooper (GK), Arambula, Rittmeyer, Kelly, Okwonko, Svantesson, Woodbine.

Recent form (USL Play)

Charleston: W| W | W | D| D

Indy XI: L | W | D| L | L

Past meetings

This is first meeting between the Battery and Indy XI.

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

The Battery have found their rhythm and, with a 10 match undefeated streak under their belts, they are going to be tough to beat. Indy has a few threats, Saad and Jack McInerney being their best two, but nothing that the Battery’s Fiesta Trio has not seen or can’t handle. Barring another questionable call, where Indy are gifted a penalty kick from the referee, the Battery will prevail.

Final score: 2–0 Battery

USL Match Center

Game info

Indy XI vs. Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

Watch party information

Broadcast: ESPN+

Officiating Crew

Referee: Luis Guardia

ARs: Seth Martin, Joshua Mills

Fourth: Daniel Spicer-Escalante

Game Hashtag: #INDvCHS

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!