The Charleston Battery earned a much-needed three points and recorded their seventh clean sheet of the season in a 4–0 away win at Toronto FC II Sunday (Canada Day) in front of just 422 fans at BMO Field.

The Battery’s last win was May 12 at home against Bethlehem Steel FC, having earned five draws in the last six matches. This win moves the Battery back up the USL Eastern Conference table, where they currently sit in sixth.

Coach Mike Anhaeuser’s starting XI saw Nico Rittmeyer start in place of Gordon Wild and newlywed Captain Taylor Mueller return to the back line.

The Battery owned possession in the first 30 minutes of the match — at one point it got as high as 90 percent — but Charleston could not find the back of the net after multiple shots on goal. The Battery pressed hard and often, with no success.

In the 16th minute, Ataulla Guerra could not get a shot off his right foot cleanly from Neveal Hackshaw’s cross. In the 39th, Mueller saw a shot go too far right, and in the 40th, Guerra’s shot went over the cross bar.

The second half started slowly too, and Anhaeuser made his first substitution in the 57th minute.

It was just what the Battery needed. The scoring would start two minutes later.

In the 59th minute, O’Brian “OB” Woodbine recovered a ball from the goal line and sent his cross into the box, nutmegging defender Robert Boskovic. Guerra capitalized on the loose ball and sent a rocket into the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season.

In the 65th minute, a loooooooong pass from Mueller was scooped up by Woodbine, who sent yet another unopposed cross into the box. This time, Kotaro Higashi used his right foot to score his second goal in three weeks and put the Battery up 2–0.

It was deja vu in the 82nd minute as Mueller once again sent a loooooooong pass to Woodbine. This time, Woodbine took it straight to goalkeeper Borja Angoitia, whose Matrix-like lean back looked more like a moose in headlights. Woodbine’s goal was his second of the season, while his post-goal back-flip was his first.

SNST gives the Jamaican a 9.2, 9.2 and 9.5 as he stuck the landing.

One minute into stoppage time, Wild wrapped up Canada Day with a left-footed shot from the top of the 18, scoring his fourth goal of the 2018 season and the fourth Battery goal of the game.

With Charlotte losing this weekend, the Battery jump them in their move up the table. Their 25 points are three behind second-place Pittsburgh and nine points behind WKRP FC in Cincinnati.

Week 16 Eastern Conference Standings

By the numbers

The Battery had nearly one hundred more passes than TFC II, and Hackshaw led all Battery players with 81. Two of Mueller’s long passes were directly responsible for two of the Battery’s four goals.

The Battery had nineteen tackles, eleven more than TFC II. While TFC II somehow managed to attempt seven shots, they only got ONE shot on frame and it was saved by GI Joe Kuzminsky, who earned his sixth clean sheet of the season. It was a huge night defensively for Skylar Thomas against his former club and Neveal Hackshaw broke down TFC II counter attacks all night.

Match summary

In Defense of Charleston

O’Brian Woodbine : The veteran had an impressive night. His assists as well as his goal were exactly what the Battery needed. Woodbine contributed not only offensively but defensively as well, ensuring that the Battery brought three points back to Charleston.

: The veteran had an impressive night. His assists as well as his goal were exactly what the Battery needed. Woodbine contributed not only offensively but defensively as well, ensuring that the Battery brought three points back to Charleston. Taylor Mueller: Mueller’s long passes caught TFC II asleep at the wheel and put two huge goals on the board for the Battery. Defensively, Mueller’s critical clearances stopped any chances TFC II had to score late in the second half.

Box score

Charleston Battery — 4

Toronto FC II — 0

Goals

59' — Charleston — Ataulla Guerra

65' — Charleston — Kotaro Higashi (Assist: O’Brian Woodbine)

82' — Charleston — O’Brian Woodbine (Assist: Taylor Mueller)

90'+1 — Charleston — Gordon Wild (Assist: Patrick Okonkwo)

Match highlights

Up next

The Battery return home long enough to unpack and then pack again to travel for their first match of the season against North Carolina FC in Cary. This July 7 match will not be a Southern Derby Cup match, however it is the first time the Battery will face NCFC since their friendly in the preseason.

Up the Battery!