The Charleston Battery are home for a second consecutive match for the first time in 2024 as they host Hartford Athletic on Sat., May 4. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and the match will air on WCSC (Charleston) and WIS (Columbia) on local TV, and stream via ESPN+.
Charleston and Hartford meet for the first time in 2024. The Battery swept the series last year with a pair of dramatic, late winners at the death. When Hartford visited the Lowcountry last season, Arturo Rodriguez scored in the 94th minute off a free-kick while the Battery were down a man.
The Battery enter Saturday’s match coming off a 6-0 triumph over Las Vegas Lights FC. Nick Markanich scored a historic haul (four goals) but it was a true collective effort across the team with six different goal contributors. Aaron Molloy and MD Myers also found the back of the net and goalkeeper Adam Grinwis notched his fourth shutout of the year.
Hartford arrive in the Lowcountry after being on the wrong end of the other 6-0 scoreline last weekend, losing away to Louisville City FC. The Athletic were shorthanded going into the game but the result shouldn’t indicate the state of first-year coach Brendan Burke’s team. Hartford are currently in playoff contention and look poised for a quality bounce-back campaign.
Looking at the Eastern Conference table, the Battery sit first and Hartford are sixth.
Storylines of the Match
Firing On All Cylinders – The Battery’s potent attack compares favorably historically with teams who went on to win silverware at the end of the year. Charleston’s 24 goals through nine games are the third-most in league history, tied with the 2017 Real Monarchs (Players’ Shield Winners), and behind 2013 Orlando City SC (league champions) and 2020 Phoenix Rising FC (conference champions). The Battery’s +17 goal differential through nine games is also second most in league history, behind Phoenix’s +18 in 2020.
M&M Boys Set Record – Nick Markanich and MD Myers became the league’s first teammates to both record goals in four consecutive games concurrently. The pair have each found the net in the Battery’s current four-game winning streak and have combined for 21 total goal contributions (17 goals and four assists).
Markanich’s Historic Pace – The Battery’s No. 13 is on a historic run of form. He became the club’s first player to net four goals in a USL Championship match and just the second player with a 4G/1A game in league history. His 11 goals in nine matches is also the most in that period in league history since Dom Dwyer scored 12 in nine in 2013.
Crafty and Creative – Aaron Molloy has been paramount to the Battery’s early success on both sides of the ball. The Irish midfielder currently leads the league in accurate long balls per 90 (9.2) and passes (619), is second in chances created (24) and crosses (69), and third in interceptions (17).
Early Iron Men – Mark Segbers and Adam Grinwis are currently tied for the league lead in minutes played, a perfect 810 minutes on the pitch through nine contests. Molloy is just behind them with the next-highest total, 803 minutes played.
Cleaning Up Awards – The collective effort of the squad has been key for Charleston. This was evident in last week’s slate of Team of the Week awards, with Charleston earning four spots: Mark Segbers, Aaron Molloy, Emilio Ycaza and Nick Markanich (Player of the Week). Markanich was additionally nominated for Player of the Month for the second consecutive month.
Goals Galore Incoming? – In the last four meetings between Charleston and Hartford, at least four goals were tallied between the sides. The most recent meeting featured seven total goals in the Battery’s 3-4 road victory.
Crawford Century Marks – Midfielder Robbie Crawford is nearing two different century mark milestones. First, he is approaching 100 total appearances for the Battery and is currently at 95. Second, Crawford is nearing 100 matches in the USL Championship regular season and is currently at 97. He may achieve both this month if he features in every match.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Hartford Athletic
Saturday, May 4 – 6:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Saturday’s match will air on local television on WCSC channel 5.3 in Charleston and WIS channel 10.4 in Columbia.
It will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
A limited amount of tickets for Saturday are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
