The Charleston Battery return to USL Championship action to face El Paso Locomotive FC on Fri., May 24. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 pm ET and the match will stream for free on CBS Sports Golazo Network, and air on local television on WCSC 5.3 (Charleston) and WIS 10.4 (Columbia).
Friday’s meeting will be the second all-time between Charleston and El Paso. In the inaugural match, Locomotive FC came away with a 3-2 win in Texas. Augi Williams and Emilio Ycaza were the goalscorers for the Black and Yellow.
Charleston (8W-0L-3D, 27pts) enter Friday’s contest on the heels of a six-game winning streak, a club record in the Championship era, and an 11-game unbeaten run to start the year. The Battery earned a 0-1 road win over Birmingham Legion FC in their last league match, with Ycaza scoring the winner. In their last competitive outing, Charleston drew with Atlanta United after extra time before falling 4-5 in a penalty shootout In the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16.
Locomotive FC (1W-8L-2D, 5pts) make their first trip to the Lowcountry and will do so under new leadership. Wilmer Cabrera was named head coach of El Paso following the club parting company with Brian Clarhaut after last week’s 1-2 loss to Memphis 901 FC. Cabrera previously led the U.S. U-18 and U-17 national teams, Chivas USA, Houston Dynamo, and RGV FC Toros. El Paso’s lone victory so far came in a 0-2 road triumph over Loudoun United FC.
Looking at the league standings, Charleston are first in the Eastern Conference and El Paso are 12th in the Western Conference.
Storylines of the Match
Setting New Records – The Battery’s mark of six consecutive wins sets a new club record in the Championship era. The club’s 11-game unbeaten run is also a record in the Championship era and is tied for the sixth-longest undefeated run to start a season in league history.
Leading the Way – Along with being top of the table, numerous Battery players are among the top performers in various categories with a quarter of the season in the books. This includes: Goals (Nick Markanich, 1st, and MD Myers, T-3rd); Goals-Against Average (Adam Grinwis, 2nd); Shutouts (Adam Grinwis, 1st); Tackles Won (Aaron Molloy, T-1st); Chances Created (Aaron Molloy, 2nd); Clearances (Graham Smith, 1st).
Seeking Revenge – Locomotive FC took a 3-2 win in the first meeting with the Battery and Charleston will look to even the all-time series in El Paso’s first Lowcountry visit.
Military Appreciation Night at Patriots Point – The Battery are thrilled to celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Friday. Fans can expect various matchday festivities, limited-edition merchandise and special warm-up kits worn by the players that will then be autographed and auctioned off after the game.
Centurion Crawford – Midfielder Robbie Crawford is close to hitting two different century mark milestones. First, he is approaching 100 total appearances for the Battery and is currently at 99. Second, Crawford is approaching 100 matches in the USL Championship regular season and is currently at 99. He will hit both simultaneously if he plays on Friday.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Friday, May 24 – 7:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Friday’s match will stream for free on the CBS Sports Golazo Network! The Golazo channel can be accessed for free via your CBS Sports app, Paramount+ app, the PlutoTV app or on the channel’s website: https://www.cbssports.com/
The match will also air on local television on WCSC channel 5.3 in Charleston and WIS channel 10.4 in Columbia.
On radio, the game will broadcast on SiriusXM FC (channel 157).
A limited amount of tickets for Friday are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
