By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery return home this weekend to host FC Tulsa on Sat., Sept. 23, in an Eastern Conference clash with playoff implications. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Tulsa clash for the second time in 2023 on Saturday. The two sides met back in April when the Battery secured a 1-2 victory in Oklahoma, with goals from Nick Markanich and Dante Polvara.
The Battery (15W-7L-8D, 53 pts) will look to build upon their four-game undefeated streak this weekend. Charleston played Loudoun United FC to a 2-2 draw on the road in their last contest. While the Battery likely deserved a victory, the comeback performance added to the side's league-leading total of points won from a losing position (16).
Tulsa (9W-12L-9D, 36 pts) visit the Lowcountry following a 0-1 road win over Oakland Roots SC last weekend. The Oklahoma outfit were triumphant after an early goal from Phillip Goodrum that made the difference. Tulsa are currently fighting for survival in the hunt for the playoffs as they occupy the final spot to enter postseason play; they're eighth in the conference standings and two points ahead of ninth-place Detroit City FC.
Augi Williams is a player to watch for Charleston. Williams scored the match-winner the last time Tulsa visited Charleston and will look to add to his team-leading 12 goals across all competitions.
Moses Dyer is one to keep an eye on for the visitors. Dyer, with three goals and four assists this season, will be tasked to lead Tulsa's offense up top.
Tulsa will be without three players this weekend who are serving various yellow and red card suspensions sustained in their last match: Marcus Epps, Phillip Goodrum and Milo Yosef. The trio are Tulsa's top goalscorers and have combined for 22 goals (roughly 65% of Tulsa's league total) and 10 assists this year.
Charleston, on the other hand, will be without Nick Markanich (yellow card accumulation suspension) and Juan Sebastian Palma (red card suspension) on Saturday.
Two players are nearing the century mark for appearances in the USL Championship regular season: Trey Muse (99) and AJ Paterson (97).
With a playoff spot already secured, Charleston will now look to secure a top-four finish in the four remaining games in the regular season. Finishing in the top four would guarantee the Battery a home playoff game in the first round.
The Battery will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Night at Patriots Point. Charleston's current roster includes Hispanic representation from Mexico (Arturo Rodriguez, Fidel Barajas, Beto Avila), Colombia (Juan Sebastian Palma) and Ecuador (Emilio Ycaza).
