Presented by MUSC Health
The Charleston Battery will head west for their next league match to take on Las Vegas Lights FC on Fri., May 5. Kickoff at Cashman Field is set for 10:30 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Las Vegas have only met one prior time, in 2022 at Patriots Point. Augi Williams struck first from the penalty spot but Lights FC would net two in response to take the game. Friday’s fixture will be the second edition of the Holy City vs. Sin City.
The Battery (4W-1L-3D, 15 pts) enter the match looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. Charleston fell 1-2 at home to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a rain-soaked and weather-delayed evening. Leland Archer got on the scoresheet for the third time in his career during the match.
Lights FC (0W-1L-5D, 5 pts) are still searching for their first win of the season after being among the remaining undefeated teams in the Western Conference until recently. Las Vegas played defending champions San Antonio FC to an away 1-1 draw in their last match. Fans can expect Lights FC to play with some extra spunk in their first home match of 2023.
Augi Williams is available for selection again after serving a red card suspension last weekend.
Dante Polvara is one to watch for the Battery. The midfielder has been effective since arriving on loan from Aberdeen FC, ranking second in interceptions (14) and tackles won (13) and third in duels won (36).
Pato Botello Faz is a player to keep an eye on for Las Vegas. The Mexican striker has one goal so far this season but netted twice in his last game against the Battery (2022, with Detroit City FC).
Derek Dodson recorded his third assist of the season last match, tying him for the league lead alongside Fidel Barajas and six other players.
Las Vegas’ roster is composed of entirely new players compared to last year; not a single player on the squad this season was there in 2022. Only forward Tabort Etaka Preston has previous experience with the club coming into this season, having played for Lights FC in 2019.
Friday’s match will be Las Vegas’ 2023 home opener. Lights FC’s stadium, Cashman Field, is also shared with XFL franchise Las Vegas Vipers. Their record at home last year was 7W-7L-3D.
The match will be the second home opener the Battery are the visiting opponent for, they spoiled Sacramento Republic FC’s home opener with a 1-1 draw in Week 2.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Prior to heading to Las Vegas, Head Coach Ben Pirmann previewed Friday’s match, with key quotes to follow.
Coach Pirmann on the squad after hitting the quarter-season mark…
We’re getting better, we’ve had a great start over the first 10 matches. We’ve won six, tied three, and then suffered our first loss against Colorado Springs. So, it’s been a very good season thus far. The identity is there, the game model is there, and now we need to keep pushing on that. Teams are starting to figure out our players and our trends, so now it’s time for us to improve with little tweaks here and there.
Coach Pirmann on what Las Vegas bring to the table…
Las Vegas are very good. It’s their home opener, we know that they’ll be flying. They’ve only lost once this whole regular season and they just got a huge, massive result on the road at San Antonio, which is nearly impossible to get a result. So, they’re very tough.
They’re feisty, they’re physical, but they also have a really good game model in the attacking half where they can get their full-backs around the wingers. Then, whether they play with two strikers or not, they’re very dangerous in and around the box.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery at Las Vegas Lights FC
Friday, May 5 – 10:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Cashman Field
HOW TO WATCH:
All Battery matches will stream on ESPN+, domestically, and through the league’s YouTube channel for free, internationally.
