Tonight at 7pm at MUSC Health Stadium, Charleston faces the hated Louisville City FC, who sit in third place, eight points behind the Battery nearly 1/3 of the way through the 2017 USL regular season.

The USL and MLS have been working to create local rivalries over the last few years. They have been successful in some places, but I have always said, you cannot force a rivalry on supporters. Rivalries have to develop over time. You cannot tell a group of supporters who they should dislike or even hate. You have to allow those feelings to develop over time naturally.

For myself and most Battery supporters, our hatred of Louisville City FC has grown exponentially over the last two seasons. The team from Kentucky has eliminated us from the playoffs two years in a row and they just happen to wear the color purple, the color most Battery supporters associate with Orlando, our previously-most-hated opponent. There is no question we are going to get upset whenever we hear the words Louisville City FC.

I can’t really call this a rivalry though, as Louisville has had Charleston’s number the past two seasons. With a record of 1–4–1 against Louisville, we have little to brag about, but plenty to hate when it comes to LCFC. The lone Battery victory over Louisville came at home, and I know Battery supporters will focus more on that this Saturday.

But enough about the past… let’s focus on the present and hopefully pleasant future. In fact, if the Battery wins, the Black and Yellow will move 11 points clear of LCFC in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

Season So Far

Charleston: The Battery return home after a five-game road trip and remain on top of the USL Eastern Conference. They currently have a +10 goal differential and have put up five shutouts in 11 games. Super Romario Williams leads the team with 8 goals while Justin Portillo leads the team in assists with 5. All-in-all, the Battery have used the first third of the season to set themselves up nicely. They have won on the road and shown their resiliency with 2 come from behind wins (Cincinnati FC and Tampa Bay) and 1 comeback draw (Ottawa). Charleston has come out on the front foot in nearly every league match this season and have kept the pressure on opposing defenses too. Six different players have scored at least one goal. The Battery have played plenty of unselfish soccer as well. Eight different players have tallied at least one assist and 17 of the Battery’s 21 goals have come from an assist.

Louisville City FC: LCFC enter this match with an overall record of 4–1–3, which is good enough for third placein the USL Eastern Conference. LCFC have only played 8 games too, so Saturday night is going to be an important match for them: they have 3 games in hand over the Battery and could begin to close the gap with a win. LCFC has been led by George Davis IV (3 goals) and their keeper Tim Dobrowolski, who has put up 3 shutouts in 7 starts. LCFC is hoping their positive start to the season continues so they can begin to rise in the standings in the middle third of the year.

Moyer’s Match Prediction

MUSC Health Stadium is known around the USL as one of the toughest places to come in and walk away with points of any kind. My hope is that the Battery remind the league of this on Saturday night with a statement game. Right now, the Battery are on top of the USL Eastern Conference table, but LCFC must feel that’s only because the Battery have played three more matches. No matter what, it is going to be a great match up on Saturday night, but my gut tells me the Battery will be too much for LCFC and they will take all the spoils.

Final Score: Battery WIN 2–0

Past Meetings (Results are for Charleston)

2016 (USL)

1–0 (Loss) USL Eastern Conference Semifinals

1–1 (Draw)

0–2 (Loss)

2015 (USL)

2–0 (Loss) USL Eastern Conference Semifinals

2–0 (Win)

1–3 (Loss)

‘93 Night

1993 was a great year for a lot of reasons I’m sure. But in Charleston, it was especially important because it was the year the Charleston Battery officially started operations.

To celebrate this, the Battery are having a ‘93 Night this Saturday night.

Anyone born in 1993 gets a FREE beer! So if you are 24, get to MUSC Health Stadium on Saturday night and enjoy a cold one on the Battery.

Also, you can show up early and catch the UEFA Champions League Final on the stadiums HUGE video board, Johnny wrote a preview of that match yesterday, and then check out the Charleston Fleet as they play their first match in the WPSL.

To help you get in the mood, here are some of the top songs from 1993.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back after the games for our recaps, read all our Battery coverage here, and as always, follow @SoccerNSweetTea on Twitter for all the latest Carolina soccer news.