June 10, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Charleston Battery News Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery are set to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, June 11, as the club celebrates diversity and inclusivity in the Lowcountry during Pride Night at Patriots Point. Kickoff for the match is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
Charleston will be seeking revenge this weekend after Pittsburgh got the better of the series in 2021, winning twice and drawing twice. Romario Piggott scored last time the Hounds visited Patriots Point, on August 6, in a 2-3 defeat. Since 2014, however, the Battery lead the series with a 5W-4L-8D record.
Pittsburgh arrive in South Carolina following a 1-1 home draw against Detroit City FC. The Hounds took a 1-0 advantage into the break when Albert Dikwa scored at the half-hour mark. The visitors leveled the terms in the 70th minute after Maxi Rodriguez found the back of the net. Detroit exploited Pittsburgh’s compact shape with a ball over the top and across wide to the left side of the field to Deklan Wynne, and Wynne connected with Rodriguez in the middle of the box for the tally.
Charleston will look to build on the positives from their 3-4 home defeat to Indy Eleven. Despite going down 1-4 in the first half, the Battery rallied late with EJ Johnson and Augustine Williams both scoring in the waning moments of the match. It was ultimately a story of what could have been for Charleston, with Williams having two goals chalked off for offside earlier in the second half, a difference that could’ve lifted the Battery to victory. Johnson’s goal was the first of his professional career and a moment he will look to replicate more often.
Saturday will be another clash between black-and-yellow 90s clubs when Charleston and Pittsburgh meet, however the Battery are six years the Hounds’ senior.
There is plenty of familiarity between the two rosters. Preston Kilwien, who joined the Battery ahead of the 2022 season, spent 2021 in Steel City and will square off against his former club for the first time. Current Hounds Angelo Kelly-Rosales and Dane Kelly also return to Charleston after both joined Pittsburgh this past offseason.
As for milestones, Battery midfielder Dominic Oduro is nearing the century mark in career regular-season USL Championship appearances and currently sits at 97 heading into Saturday.
Ones to Watch
Pittsburgh – Alex Dixon
Dixon stung the Battery last season with three goals across the four contests,…