By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery are set to kick off the September schedule away from home at New Mexico United on Sat., Sept. 2. Kickoff at Isotopes Park is set for 9 p.m. ET.
This will be the third all-time meeting between the two black and yellow clubs. New Mexico have gotten the better of the Battery in the first two matches, so Charleston will hope the third time is the charm in securing their first win in the series.
Charleston (13W-7L-7D, 46 pts) arrive in Albuquerque following a 1-0 home victory over Memphis 901 FC. The game was decided in the first half by Beto Avila's winner as he beat a defender and the goalkeeper with a perfectly placed shot inside the near post. The win was No. 13 for the Battery in league action, which is more than double the amount of their previous season.
New Mexico (9W-11L-6D, 33 pts) head into this weekend after a midweek 3-3 draw with Las Vegas Lights at home. United rallied back from being down 1-3 through the hour-mark to earn a point after scoring a pair of late goals. New Mexico are just outside a spot to make the playoffs and will be fighting with everything they have for a top-eight finish in the remaining matches.
Arturo Rodriguez is a player to watch for the Battery. The Mexican midfielder returned to action after being sidelined for a handful of weeks. Despite missing time, Rodriguez ranks second on the team in chances created (27), along with having two goals and three assists to his name.
Justin Portillo is one to watch with New Mexico. The veteran midfielder, and former Battery player of over 100 games, leads the hosts in chances created (41) and assists (four, tied with Sergio Rivas).
Looking at the Eastern Conference table, Charleston are in third and one point back from the Tampa Bay Rowdies in second, who have two games in hand. The Battery are six points clear of Louisville City FC, who are in fourth but have one game in hand.
Charleston will be aiming to add their league-best 25 points won on the road.
The Battery have seven games left in the regular season including this weekend; four at home and three away.
Goalkeeper Trey Muse will look to take sole possession of second place for most clean sheets in the league this year. He's currently tied for second with nine shutouts, along with two others.
New Mexico's Sergio Rivas will miss the fixture due to a yellow card accumulation suspension sustained in the Las Vegas match. He's their second-highest goal scorer (six) and chance creator (24), and is tied for the most assists (four).
Charleston are still without Jesse Randall, who is off on international duty with the New Zealand U-23 national team for Olympic qualifiers. Randall scored for the OlyWhites during their 3-1 victory over Fiji to advance to the knockout phase. If New Zealand win the qualification tournament, they'll punch their ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
