Following a 13-day hiatus, Riverhounds SC (9-1-7) will be back in action to face Charleston Battery (8-3-8) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 at Highmark Stadium.
Sitting only one spot below the Hounds in the Eastern Conference, Charleston Battery has done well this season logging a record of 8-3-8. Just last weekend, the Battery defeated reining league champions Louisville City FC, 2-1. With another win for the club, Charleston continued its unbeaten streak, not losing a game since June 19 against the Richmond Kickers – a stretch of six matches.
Leading the attack for Charleston is forward Ataulla Guerra. Since first joining the club in 2016, Guerra has started in 66 games and has scored 17 goals. This season, Guerra has been the star of the offense, scoring 10 goals and adding two assists for the Battery. Scoring last time out against Louisville, Guerra leads the East in goals.
Strengths
Attack: The Battery’s offense plays a vital role in its success with 27 goals and a shooting accuracy of 46 percent. Charleston’s conversion rate is one of the best in the league, ranking third overall at 18 percent.
Strong in goal: Fresh off the USL save of the week, Joe Kuzminsky has been a bright spot for the Battery this season on the defensive end. The UAB product has recorded six clean sheets and allowed 10 goals in 13 starts.
Weaknesses
Possession: Holding only 29 percent of the possession share against Louisville, the Battery has struggled to hold the ball against the opposition. The club averages 45 percent possession on the season.
Fouls: Surrendering 249 fouls in 19 games, Charleston ranks fourth in the league for fouls and yellow cards.
