In our continuing effort to collaborate with other supporters, SNST reached out to Unsub Matt from The Unused Substitutes Show for his thoughts on this weekend’s match up.

“ To say this season has been a disappointment is probably an understatement, but the Rowdies are, somewhat inexplicably, still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the USL East. Yes, as of this writing they are still seven points out of eighth place and play the vast majority of their remaining games on the road, but they have a 1–2 games in hand on the teams currently sitting between them and the final spot, and 1–3 games in hand on five of the eight clubs currently occupying the playoff positions. “More importantly, the coaches and players firmly believe they can and will qualify for the postseason. Last week’s 3–0 win at fellow playoff hopeful North Carolina FC featured only the second hat trick scored by a modern era Rowdies player (USL player of the week Sebastian Guenzatti) and showed the Rowdies are still a team to be reckoned with.”

His thoughts on a possible Rowdies starting XI:

“I expect that head coach Neill Collins will stick with a formation that has been described over the last three matches as either a 5–3–2, a 4–3–1–2 or a 3–5–2, but generally resembles a 3–5–2. After getting his first clean sheet for the club, Daniel Vega should start again in goal, while the back line should look like Hunter Gorskie, Pape Diakite (returning from a one match suspension) and Tarek Morad. Zac Portillos and Afrim Taku are sometimes listed as fullbacks but get forward in the attack. “In the midfield, captain and assistant coach Joe Cole will likely play alongside Dominic Oduro and Kwadwo Poku. With the success the pair have had over the last few games, count on seeing Sebastian Guenzatti and Junior Flemmings up top.”

Final score?

“I’m hoping last week’s performance isn’t an anomaly and that the traveling members of Ralph’s Mob and the Skyway Casuals will come home happy after a 2–1 Tampa Bay win.”

Predicted Battery starting XI

Kuzminsky (GK), Thomas, Mueller (Captain), Archer, Woodbine, Anunga, Kelly, Bolt, Higashi, Okonkwo, Rittmeyer

Available subs: Cooper (GK), Marini, Mansaray, Arambula, Wild, Svantesson, Hackshaw*

Battery players not available*

Injuries : Jarad van Schaik (OUT)

: (OUT) Suspensions : Ataulla Guerra (3 matches)

: (3 matches) International Duty: Ataulla Guerra; Neveal Hackshaw — (Trinidad and Tobago)

Tampa Bay Rowdies key players

Sebastian Guenzatti: While Stefano Bonomo and Junior Flemmings were a force to be reckoned with on New York Red Bulls II last year, they have been effectively contained by the Battery defense this year. Instead, the player to watch is USL Player of the Week Sebastian Guenzatti, who scored a hat trick against NCFC last weekend.

Current form

Past meetings (results are for Charleston)

The Battery lead the all-time series 3–1–1 (away: 1–1–1; home: 2–0–0).

2018 (USL)

CHS (0), TBR (0) — (Aug. 8 at TBR)

CHS (1), TBR (0) — (April 28 at home)

2017 (USL)

CHS (0), TBR (2) — (July 22 at TBR)

CHS (2), TBR(0) — (July 1 at home)

CHS (3), TBR (2) —(April 22 at TBR)

The DrewOnTarget Prediction

While the involuntary vacation imposed on the Sauce Boss is painful, the Battery have more than enough players (Gordon Wild, Patrick Okonkwo and Nico Rittmeyer) who can step up the challenge. The Battery scored six goals in their last two matches and have had time to rest and focus in training all week. Playing in Charleston, where the Rowdies have not won in their brief USL history, the Battery should pick up the three points at home.

Final score: 2–0 Battery

Game details

What: Charleston Battery vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Where: MUSC Health Stadium

When: Saturday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m.

Broadcast: MyTV Charleston

Stream: ESPN +

USL Match Center

Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

ARs: Cory Richardson, Brian Marshall

Fourth: James Boswell

Game Hashtag: #CHSvTBR #freethesauceboss

Thanks for reading! A huge shout out to Unsub Matt for taking time out of his busy schedule to offer his insight. 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.

#FreetheSauceBoss and Up the Battery!