Presented by MUSC Health
The Charleston Battery are set to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Sat., July 22, after a brief road trip to start the July schedule. Kickoff at Patriots Point is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Charleston and Pittsburgh square off for the second time this season after meeting previously in June. The Battery will look to avenge that 2-0 defeat in Steel City in the reverse fixture.
The Battery (9W-5L-6D, 33 pts) enter Saturday’s contest after a pair of road draws in Week 19. Charleston came back from 1-0 deficits against Indy Eleven and Miami FC to steal a point with goals in the second half. The draw in Miami featured a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute by Andrew Booth, extending the Battery’s current undefeated run to three matches.
Pittsburgh (10W-2L-8D, 38 pts) hit the road after defeating Detroit City FC at home last Saturday, 2-0. Edward Kizza and Burke Fahling both found the back of the net as the Pennsylvania outfit maintained their position atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Saturday’s match will pit the No. 3 (Charleston) and No. 1 (Pittsburgh) teams in the Eastern Conference standings against each other.
Augi Williams is a player to watch for the Battery. Williams co-leads the Battery with nine goals across all competitions this year and scored the opening tally against Pittsburgh in last year’s fixture at Patriots Point.
Albert Dikwa is one to keep an eye on for the Hounds. He leads Pittsburgh with 10 goals in Championship play this year, tied for most in the league.
Deklan Wynne is poised to play in his 100th career regular season match in the USL Championship. The New Zealand international currently has 99 matches to his name.
Trey Muse is nearing 300 career saves in the USL Championship regular season. He has made 294 saves entering this weekend.
Arturo Rodriguez will be unavailable for Saturday’s match after receiving a red card in Miami from the bench.
There is the potential for returning to old stomping grounds for former Battery players DZ Harmon, Burke Fahling and Patrick Hogan, who currently play for Pittsburgh.
Saturday will feature a pair of 90s teams squaring off against each other as the Battery were founded in 1993 and the Hounds in 1999.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
Head Coach Ben Pirmann and forward Beto Avila discussed the upcoming match against Pittsburgh, with key quotes to follow.
Coach Pirmann on training this week going into the Pittsburgh match…
The focus has been on us to improve. We had two solid matches on the road against Indy and Miami, but didn’t do enough to get all three points. So, we want to sustain the game plan longer. In the heat, dealing with the elements, making sure our opponent suffers, then finishing attacks and not making mistakes to beat ourselves, and doing everything we can to make sure we’re ready for a tough Pittsburgh team.
Coach Pirmann on what to expect from Pittsburgh in the second meeting…
They’re the best team, not only in the Eastern Conference but in all of the USL, probably by a significant margin. In the last 17 matches, the only game they’ve lost is an Open Cup game on the road to Cincinnati. We have to be very good and excellent to compete, we know how good Pittsburgh are and that they’re tough defensively. We also know they create chances and they’re physical but they move the ball well, it’s a well-balanced opponent.
Avila on returning home after a two-game road trip last week…
It feels really good to be back home, we got something to prove. We’re trying to perfect the little details, the small details and just get after it. We need the support [this weekend] and we’d love to have everybody out [at Patriots Point], as many people as possible to get a win.
Avila on facing Pittsburgh again…
The first time we played them, it was a different formation for us. I think it will be the same intensity from them. Here is way more humid [than Pittsburgh], a bit hotter than over there compared to the first game. It’s a good team that we’re going up against, very defensive and very strong in the back.
MATCH INFO
Charleston Battery vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Saturday, July 22 – 7:30 p.m. ET Kickoff
Patriots Point
HOW TO WATCH:
Only a very limited number of tickets are still available for Saturday’s match and can be purchased via SeatGeek.com, the Battery’s exclusive digital ticketing provider.
All Battery matches will also stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
