Going into this match, and many others this season, I felt very confident that the Battery would come away with all three points. I honestly do not know if I am blinded by my love of this club, or their first place standing, or if it is simply my duty as the SNST Battery writer to feel that way going into every match, but I was wrong this time. The teams tied 2–2, and while the Battery stayed atop the table, their lead over Louisville dwindled to 3 points.

I cannot say that Charleston was the better team on the pitch Saturday night. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying FC Cincinnati was the better team either. In my opinion, the match was pretty evenly matched, but that is not what should happen when you are at the top of the table playing the club in 8th place. In the end though, it took a moment of brilliance from FCC to earn the late draw, and I guess I have to keep that in mind.

I also have to remind myself that when you play at FCC you are playing in front of 20k+ fans, which is more then some clubs draw in a month, and it takes a special performance to leave Nippert Stadium with a win. We in Charleston just happen to know what that performance looks like. Just re-watch our playoff match in Cincinnati from last season.

The Game

Charleston came out with an interesting lineup Saturday night. Garbanzo sat underneath Super Romario while Chang and Woodbine were replaced in the starting lineup. I know coach likes to mix things up from time to time, and with Guerra out the attack has been lacking a bit, but I know the bench is strong and anyone playing for Charleston has the ability to step in and make their mark on the match.

FCC starting the scoring early with a header scored by their leader goal scorer Djiby Fall (7). Some thought he was offside, but looking back on the replay, it was a good goal.

I mentioned players coming in off the bench to make their mark. Ricky Garbanzo has spent a lot of time on the bench this season but was in the starting 11 on Saturday. He showed why in the second half with a beautiful ball into Super Romario Williams, who back-heel-flicked the ball in off the back post to extend his season total to 11.

This is the type of play we hope to see more out of Tricky Ricky this season. I’m just glad he did not end up in another “Not Top 10” list with another post-goal celebration.

Less than ten minutes after Williams scored to level the score, Forrest Lasso stepped up and this time used his foot to put the ball into the back of the net.

It really is amazing to see Lasso finding openings to get shots on goal on just about every Battery free kick, even with every opposing defense knowing he is the target. It will be interesting to see if this run continues or if teams start to double and/or triple team him allowing others (like Taylor Mueller) to find the back of the net on set pieces.

After watching Williams and Lasso silence the FCC crowd, I thought the match was over. There was no way FCC was coming back. I actually said out loud that it was going to take a special goal to tie the game. Well, I think I jinxed Charleston, because in the 80th minute Andrew Wiedeman scored a crazy goal, FCC stole two points from the Battery, and Charleston left for home disappointed in only taking one point.

Quite a goal, that one. The 2–2 draw was a well-deserved final score.

Moyer’s MOTM

Ricky Garbanzo

Tricky Ricky played a good game on Saturday night. He was quick and put a lot of pressure on FCC all over the pitch. His assist helped put the Battery on the board and turn momentum Charleston’s way. I hope his recent run of good play continues even when Guerra returns. It will be lovely to watch defenses have to adjust from the tall physical presence of Guerra to the small, quick, energizer bunny like play of Garbanzo.

What’s Next

The Battery return home for their longest remaining home stand of the season. They will first face Toronto FC II on Saturday, June 24th. Then they will host Tampa Bay on July 1st and finish it off a huge match up with Louisville City FC on July 8th.

If the Battery want to remain on top of the USL Eastern Conference and have a legitimate shot at home field advantage throughout the playoffs, they need to play well during this home stand. I want at least seven points.