By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery are set to host Birmingham Legion FC in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sat., October 28th. Kickoff is at 7 pm at Patriots Point.
Charleston and Birmingham meet for the third time in 2023, and the second time in two weeks. The southern sides faced off in the regular season finale, a 1-0 victory for the Battery, on Oct. 14. Charleston also defeated Birmingham in the reverse fixture in July, a 1-2 result in Alabama.
No. 3 Charleston advanced to the semifinals after a sensational 5-0 victory over Indy Eleven in the opening round. The Battery had five different goalscorers contribute, with Emilio Ycaza, Arturo Rodiguez, Augi Williams, Fidel Barajas and Nick Markanich all scoring. The Battery became only the second team to have five different players score in a USL Championship Playoffs match after Real Monarchs SLC achieved the feat in 2019.
No. 7 Birmingham made it out of the opening round with a dominant 0-3 road win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Legion FC's triumph were one of three upsets in the conference that night. Goals from Tabort Preston, Diba Nwegbo and Prosper Kassim powered their dismantling of the Rowdies. Birmingham will look to turn in their best performance against the Battery on Saturday to avenge the previous two defeats.
Fidel Barajas is a player to watch for the Battery. The Mexican youth international tallied an assist and a goal in his USL Playoffs debut.
Tabort Preston is one to keep an eye on for Legion FC. The striker also turned in a one goal-one assist performance in the opening round of the playoffs.
The all-time series between the Battery and Legion FC is an even three wins apiece and one draw. Saturday will mark the first time the sides meet in the postseason.
A number to note for the Battery is 10. Charleston have scored 10 goals inside the opening 15 minutes of games this season, tied for second-most in the league, and have scored 10 goals from corner kicks, also second in the league.
Charleston, winners of four league titles in the club's history, are looking to reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2013.
The victors on Saturday at Patriots Point will face the winner of the No. 5 Louisville City FC vs. No. 8 Detroit City FC semifinal.
