The Charleston Battery return to action to kick off the final month of the regular season against Detroit City FC on Sat., Oct. 5. Kickoff for the matinée at Patriots Point is set for 4 p.m. ET. The match will air on national television via TUDN in Spanish, stream on ESPN+ in English and can be watched on local television on WCSC 5.3 (Charleston) and WIS 10.4 (Columbia) in English.
Charleston and Detroit meet for the second time in 2024 after Detroit came away victorious in the first match, a 2-0 result in Michigan.
The Battery (17W-5L-8D, 59pts) are back in action after a bye in Week 30. Their last match was a resounding 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on September 21. Juan David Torres notched an early goal to begin the night and then Nick Markanich scored a record-breaking brace that earned him Player of the Week honors.
Detroit (13W-8L-9D, 48pts) arrive in the Lowcountry on a three-game winning streak. The Michigan outfit cruised to a 0-2 road victory over Monterey Bay FC on Saturday. Ben Morris and Connor Rutz were on the scoresheet for Detroit.
Looking at the Eastern Conference standings, the Battery are in second and Detroit are in third.
Storylines of the Match
Patriots Point Matinée – Saturday’s match will be the second and final afternoon kickoff at Patriots Point of the regular season. The Battery’s first daytime fixture of the year was the lopsided 6-0 win over Las Vegas Lights FC in April.
Club Record on Horizon – With 17 wins in the regular season, the Battery have matched their club record for most wins in the regular season in their USL Championship era, a mark set just last season. Charleston’s next win will set a new club record.
Markanich Eyes Club Scoring Record – Staying with the record-breaking theme, Nick Markanich has another milestone in his sights: the club’s overall record for most goals scored in a single season. Markanich is currently tied for the record, holding it with Paul Conway’s 27 goals scored across all competitions in 2001. His next tally will add another broken record to his historic 2024 campaign.
Molloy Makes Sensational Return – Last match, midfielder Aaron Molloy came off the bench to make his return to action after a two-month absence while recovering from an injury sustained in the July 27 game against Tampa Bay. It was a fitting return for Molloy, to come back in the next meeting against Tampa Bay and cap off the victory.
Top-Two Finish on the Table – While the Battery have already secured both a playoff berth and a home playoff match in the quarterfinals, they can also clinch a top-two finish in the league standings with:
1. Win vs. Detroit City FC
OR
2. Draw vs. Detroit City FC
AND – Tampa Bay Rowdies fails to take victory at Rhode Island FC
Tough Visitors – Detroit have been as in form as any team in the league recently and are currently five games unbeaten in road contests. This span includes wins over Birmingham, Tampa Bay and Monterey. It means opposing strengths will clash as the Battery have been one of the best home teams all year.
Battery on National TV – Charleston will appear in their sixth nationally televised game of the regular season, with Saturday’s contest airing on TUDN in Spanish. The Battery have enjoyed considerable success on the national stage, posting a 3W-0L-2D record in the previous five contests on national television.
Pink Out at Patriots Point – The Battery have teamed up with the American Cancer Society to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Festivities include special pink warm-up kits worn by the players before kickoff (which will be autographed and auctioned off after the game), an on-field tunnel with breast cancer survivors, caregivers and family members, a pink t-shirt giveaway, the goalkeepers wearing the pink Courage Kit, and more. All auction items and pink merchandise benefit the Battery’s Men Wear Pink campaign with the American Cancer Society.
Rodriguez Approaches Milestone – Arturo Rodriguez is nearing 100 career matches in the USL Championship regular season. The Mexican midfielder currently has 98 appearances to his name.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Detroit City FC
Saturday, October 5 – 4 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Fans can watch Saturday’s match on national television on TUDN, which will feature commentary in Spanish. Check with your television provider for the exact channel number.
The game will also air on local television on WCSC channel 5.3 in Charleston and WIS channel 10.4 in Columbia, both in English. Check the local listing for the exact channel number with your television provider.
An English-language broadcast of the game will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
A limited amount of tickets for Saturday are available now via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.