By: Charleston Battery Media
The Battery are in St. Petersburg, Fla., Saturday night to take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Eastern Conference Semifinals at 7:30 pm. In a USL Championship season like none other, it will be the fifth time the two teams have met in 2020.
The Battery are coming off a 2-1 extra-time win against the Charlotte Independence in the conference quarterfinal while the Rowdies enter the semifinal Saturday after a 4-2 first-round win over Birmingham Legion FC. It’s win or go home for both sides in a Saturday night matchup between two very familiar teams that is sure to be battle.
Key Storylines
- In their thirteenth consecutive postseason run, the Battery return to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2016. With a win over Tampa Bay Saturday night, Charleston would advance to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2013.
- Charleston currently have a 3-1-0 record against Tampa Bay this season, being the only team in the USL Championship to defeat Tampa Bay in 2020. That record included a 2-1 win over the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium to close out the regular season on October 3.
- The Battery sit 6 points behind Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Group H standings with 2 games in hand. A win Sunday keeps them on track to unseat Tampa Bay’s hold on first place.
- In the scenario of a Charleston win as well as a St. Louis win over Louisville Saturday night, the Battery would secure the right to host the Conference Finals back at Patriots Point next week.
Both teams know what to expect from the other at this point in the season as they develop their gameplans for Saturday's matchup. The Black and Yellow will continue to focus on the defensive unit's cohesion that's seen success against Rowdies. Tampa Bay hasn't scored more than once against Charleston since July 31. The Rowdies, however, found their firepower last week, putting in four goals against Birmingham in their quarterfinal.
The Charleston front will have to attack the Rowdies back line early as their success against Tampa Bay this season has come when scoring first. But sustaining that pressure for the full 90 minutes will be key. Charleston gave up a few chances to Charlotte that they can't afford against a talented Rowdies side. Neil Collins' has shown efficient use of his bench and is able to make key substitutions that pay dividends, as seen against Birmingham with Leo Fernandes and Lucky Mkosana both subbing in and contributing goals. The Battery will have to come out strong in the second half and be ready to adjust to any Rowdies reinforcements.
Ones to Watch This Week
Tampa Bay – Lewis Hilton
Charleston – Mauro Cichero
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, October 17 – 7:30 p.m. EST Kickoff – Patriots Point
How to Watch: ESPN+