Quick Look:
Date: August 4, 2023
Time: 4:30 PM PT
Location: Patriots Point Soccer Complex, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
How to Watch:
- KTVU Plus (Linear)
Watch Party:
- Line 51, 303 Castro St, Oakland, California, 94607
Match Preview:
Oakland Roots SC will be looking to extend their five-match unbeaten run when they face Charleston Battery in South Carolina on Friday night, in the first ever meeting of the two clubs.
Noah Delgado’s side seemed to be heading towards a fourth straight victory on Saturday evening when Johnny Rodriguez gave Oakland the lead with the fastest goal in club history. His dipping effort from outside the box found the back of the net just 23 seconds into the game, but Detroit City FC would respond with an early goal of their own just four minutes later via defender Steve Carroll. The victory could have gone to either side at the end of the affair, but Paul Blanchette’s heroic performance ensured that the points were split. The Palo Alto native made nine saves, including a big double-save late on when he touched Maxi Rodriguez’s half-volley onto the post before getting back to his feet and making a diving stop on Rhys Williams’ effort on the rebound.
The hosts, Charleston Battery, maintained their second-place position in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham Legion on Saturday, and their 39 points so far this season rank third in USL only behind Sacramento and Pittsburgh. Their duo, consisting of Augustine Williams and Nicholas Markanich, have combined for 16 goals this season, while winger Fidel Barajas leads the league in assists with seven in his first professional season at age 17.
Charleston’s offensive firepower, however, will face the defensive prowess of Oakland Roots. Oakland have conceded just 24 goals across their 22 games so far, certainly thanks to the aforementioned Blanchette who leads USL in saves with 78. Oakland have played very well on the road this season, and lead USL in away wins after their consecutive 3-1 victories in Monterey and El Paso a few weeks ago. This matchup between second in the east and third in the west promises to deliver a spectacle under the Friday night lights.
