Carson's Charleston Charge: To The Lou Times Two

The Week That Was

I'd like to start my article off this week by thanking Heviel Cordoves on behalf of Dynamo Theory, Battery fans everywhere and myself for securing us a draw this past Saturday against St Louis. It was not looking good for Charleston at home. After a bad bounce led to a 60th minute goal for St Louis, it wasn't until Heviel Cordoves, a late sub still recovering from injury, equalized in the 88th minute. Not that there weren't chances for the Battery before Cordoves drove a header in off of a corner from Justin Portillo. Quinton Griffith's pace provided some problems for St Louis as he was able to get himself chances, as well as find Dane Kelly or some other forwards on some attacks as well. Kelly was unable to put any super dangerous shots on goal, he did have his fair share of possessions deep in the attacking third. Dante Marini had one of the better Battery chances with a bending rocket from outside the box that was heroically saved by Alec Kann, on loan from the Chicago Fire.

The Good Guys: Charleston Battery (9-4-9)

It may have been late and it may have been only one, but Charleston scored! After being blanked three straight matches, that goal by Cordoves will hopefully build confidence and get Charleston back to having a potent, or at least serviceable goal scoring attack. The club will be embarking on a long road trip from Charleston to Missouri, to Kentucky, back to Charleston. They will be without Obrian Woodbine and Austin Savage for the whole trip due to injury. They will also be missing their sturdy defender Shawn Ferguson during the St Louis match due to yellow card accumulation. Returning will be the Energizer Bunny, Ricky Garbanzo, from a one match suspension due to yellow cards. Per Coach Anhaeuser's usual strategy in relation to two match weeks, it's likely Kevin Corby will receive a start in net for one of the two contests. Heviel Cordoves is starting to return to his pre injury form, though he is by no means 100%. Even though he is injured, he was still able to earn USL Team of the Week reserves due to his clutch late match performance Saturday.

The Bad Guys: Saint Louis FC (5-9-8), Louisville City FC (12-4-6)

Long time, no see Saint Louis. After their draw at MUSC Health Stadium, the Battery visit World Wide Technology Park in St Louis tomorrow night. St Louis seems to be attempting to break a record for most players on suspension. That list for this match includes; Nick Bibbs, Jacob Bushue, Oskar Gasecki, Bryan Gaul and Kingsley Bryce. The latter three all earned their suspensions during Saturday's match. Surprisingly, St Louis is actually worse at home than on the road. With a 1-6-4 record at home, they are the USL's worst at protecting it's own house.

Simply put, Louisville City has become en fuego as the season has gone on. Boasting a six match win streak from the end of June to the beginning of August, they flew past Charleston to gain the second place position. It's fair to pinpoint their success primarily to one man: top choice for USL MVP Matt Fondy, the reigning USL Player of the Week. With both of the matches between these teams yet to be played, the second position is still very much up for grabs.

The Dirty Details

at St Louis 8pm tomorrow

Watch it live HERE

at Louisville City 7:30 Saturday

Watch it live HERE

The Hired Gun

Memo Rodriguez got a start in the Charleston midfield in place of suspended Ricky Garbanzo. The Houston Dynamo Homegrown product provided his usual effective pressure creating not only chances for himself, but also finding some good lanes to get the ball to his teammates. Memo had a potential second goal of the season go just wide as he tried to put Charleston up early in the match. With Garbanzo returning, it's unlikely Memo starts this week, but he will most likely see good minutes in both matches as his play this year has merited the trust from the coaching staff.