September 9, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Charleston Battery News Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery will host Southeast rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, September 10. Kickoff for the match at Patriots Point is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Tampa Bay have become familiar adversaries over the years. The most recent meeting came earlier this season in St. Petersburg, a 1-1 draw. The Black and Yellow, after going down a goal in the first half, battled back to score an equalizer in the second half via Augustine Williams. The point earned by the Battery came after Tampa Bay won all four fixtures between the clubs in 2021.
Tampa Bay arrive in the Lowcountry after dismantling Las Vegas Lights FC 6-1 at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies flexed their offensive prowess with five different players finding the back of the net. Leo Fernandes scored twice, raising his team-leading goal count to 15. The Florida club are vying for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and are four points behind leaders Louisville City FC.
The Battery remain home after a dominant 3-0 win over New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. Aidan Apodaca scored midway through the first half and Romario Piggott added a second shortly after from the penalty spot. The match was put to rest in the final minutes by leading scorer Augustine Williams, his 14th goal of the season. Williams’ tally also set a new career-high for goals in a season.
Fernandes, who scored in the first meeting, is the player to watch for Tampa Bay. In addition to being Tampa Bay’s top scorer, he has filled in for Sebastian Guenzatti as the team’s most potent threat – tallying the most assists (seven) and the second-most chances created (49).
Andrew Booth is one to keep an eye on for the Battery. Although entering the match off the bench, Booth made an immediate impact against New York. The Jamaican midfielder registered four key passes and assisted Williams’ goal, along with two duels won and one tackle won, in less than a half-hour of play.
Robbie Crawford is poised to reach the half-century mark of Battery appearances on Saturday. He currently sits at 49 matches played since first arriving in 2020.
Saturday will also determine the winner of the No Quarter Derby, a supporter group-led rivalry between the fans that spans the season series. Supporters of the winning team will receive a cooler chest full of beers from the fans of the losing team.
The club is also celebrating Military…