By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery return home to host San Diego Loyal SC in an East Coast-West Coast showdown on Saturday, September 9th. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 pm ET.
Charleston and San Diego have met once before, in 2022 when Loyal SC took home all three points at Torero Stadium. The Battery will look to avenge that result on their home field.
The Black and Yellow (14W-7L-7D, 49 pts) enter this weekend following their second consecutive victory, a 0-1 road win over New Mexico United. Augi Williams came off the bench to the match-winner, his 12th goal and eighth winner across all competitions this year. The win added to the Battery's league-leading 28 points won on the road, which is more than the number of points Charleston earned both home and away a season ago (25).
Loyal SC (12W-7L-7D, 43 pts) arrive in the Lowcountry following a 3-0 home win over Birmingham Legion FC. San Diego will be a formidable foe on Saturday, as the California club are four games unbeaten on the road and have the second-most goals scored per match (1.8 goals).
Tristan Trager is a player to watch for the Battery. With fellow forwards Augi Williams and Fidel Barajas out on international duty, look for Trager to step up with his creativity in attack.
San Diego's Tumi Moshobane is also one to keep an eye on. He has been among their hottest players on offense as of late, having scored four goals in their past three matches.
Saturday's visit to Patriots Point will be the first, and last, for San Diego as it was announced last month the 2023 season will be the club's last and their franchise rights to a new market.
Charleston will be without three players this weekend who are on international duty. Augi Williams was called up to the Sierra Leone national team for AFCON qualifiers; Fidel Barajas to the Mexico U-17 national team for a World Cup preparation camp; Jesse Randall with the New Zealand U-23 national team for Olympic qualifiers.
This match carries playoff implications for Charleston. With a victory, the Battery will officially punch their ticket to postseason play, the first time after a two-year absence in the playoffs. Charleston's magic number for points away from clinching a spot is 2 points.
If the Battery draw or lose against San Diego, the club can still clinch if FC Tulsa lose or draw against Phoenix Rising FC, as Charleston are set to be clear of one of Detroit City FC and Miami FC regardless of the outcome of their contest.
