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The Week That Was
It was another week and another victory for the Charleston Battery as they defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3-1 at Blackbaud Stadium. Charleston donned pink jerseys to be auctioned off for cancer charities for the annual Pink Night at the 'Baud. The scoring was started by Zach Prince in the 13th minute as the Riverhounds were waiting to make an injury substitution, who else but Maikel Chang, found Prince on the left side of the box and he blasted a rocket inside the near post. The next goal came off the foot of Dane Kelly after the 60' mark off an assist from Ricky Garbanzo. This established a three man tie at the team lead for goals between Heviel Cordoves, Kelly and the on fire Zach Prince. Dante Marini scored his first career USL goal in the 74th minute to put the Battery up 3-0, only to have their clean sheet wiped out by a late 81st minute goal by Miro Cabrilo.
Charleston-3 Pittsburgh-1
Battery Goals:
Prince 13', Kelly 61', Marini 74'
The Good Guys: Charleston Battery (5-0-2)
Another solid representation on the USL's Team Of The Week as Shawn Ferguson and Zach Prince were named to the list. Ferguson has played EVERY MINUTE of the Battery regular season and is one of the anchors to a strong defense unit. Prince has been on fire lately scoring three goals in as many games to put him in a three-way tie for the team's goal lead.
Now to attempt to explain this roster for today's game. Just as the team was starting to get healthy, Charleston had to leave SIX healthy players at home. Due to travel restrictions, the Battery will be without Navion Boyd, Obi Woodbine, Odisnel Cooper, Heviel Cordoves, Maikel Chang and Emmanuel Adjetey. Austin Savage returns from injury and the Houston Dynamo loaned out Michael Lisch and AJ Cochran. By all expectations, the six left home will be available for appearances against New York Red Bulls 2 on Sunday.
The Bad Guys: FC Montreal (0-5-0) NYRB2 (2-4-2)
FC Montreal, the USL side for the MLS's Montreal Impact, have struggled in their maiden voyage, still without a win. They are in the tough situation of using strictly reserve players from the Impact and top academy players, which doesn't allow for a team to mesh well as a season progresses. With only two goals in 5 matches, they are the least prolific offense in the USL.
As we match up again Sunday with the New York Red Bulls USL side NYRB2, after a 1-1 draw in April ended with Garbanzo's shot off the post, they have also struggled with consistency. Coming off a 2-1 loss to Harrisburg City, the Red Bulls will look to take 3 points at home against the Battery.
The Dirty Details
4pm today (Thursday) @ FC Montreal
Watch it live HERE
Sunday May 17th 7pm @ NYRBII
Watch it live on NYRB2's Youtube Channel
The Hired Guns
The Houston Dynamo contingent went from 1 to 3! Joining Homegrown Product Jose "Memo" Rodriguez in Montreal will be GK Michael Lisch and Defender AJ Cochran. How long both new additions will be with Charleston is not yet known. Lisch is no rookie to the USL as he made most of the starts in goal last season in a trial by fire with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Cochran, who started 8 games down the stretch for Houston last year, has seen his playing time plummet with the addition of Raul Rodriguez to an already deep defensive unit. With usual starter Odisnel "El Gato" Cooper not available, it is safe to assume Lisch will start in goal for the Battery. Cochran will be a welcome addition to an already strong backline.
The Battery vs. Brom Battle
It was announced this week that the Battery will be hosting an exhibition match July 17th with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion. It will mark the first Premier league exhibition at Blackbaud Stadium in five years. The last was a 2-0 defeat to the Bolton Wanderers in 2010. Tickets will be available as low as $25 but I wouldn't wait long because they will go fast!