By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider
CHARLESTON, S.C. — First-placed Louisville City FC (6-1-3, 21 points) travels to Charleston, S.C., today to take on the Charleston Battery at MUSC Health Stadium at 7:30 p.m. (WATCH). The two sides are quite familiar, as LouCity played Charleston three times in 2015, one of which was LouCity’s first-ever USL Playoffs victory. Here’s what supporters need to know about the Battery heading into Saturday evening’s match.
Who’s a threat?
Coach James O’Connor’s side will need to keep a close eye on striker Romario Williams on Saturday night.
The Jamaican U-23 forward has netted a team-leading six times thus far for Charleston while on loan from Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact. Williams, a University of Central Florida product, was selected by the Impact with the No. 3 pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
He’s certainly showed his MLS pedigree in his short time with Charleston, so in order for LouCity to snap Charleston’s 29-game home unbeaten streak, they’ll need to key in on him.
What do they do well?
Charleston currently sit at third in the Eastern Conference with 18 points, three behind table-topping Louisville City. So, what are they doing right?
They play fast.
“They’ve got good pace,” O’Connor said. “They’re organized. Mike (Anhaeuser) has been around the league for a long time. They’ve won some games, so they’ll be tough. They’ve had a great run at home. They pose some challenges for us but it’s a game we’re looking forward to and we’re excited about it.”
Anhaeuser’s side have proven to be organized, and have capitalized in opportune moments.
Their pace allows them chances going forward on counter attacks and on change of possession in the midfield. Against Harrisburg City, Williams received a beautiful cross from Charleston’s 2015 assist leader Maikel Chang, took a touch and buried it into the net.
LouCity will need to remain calm and collected against Charleston to eliminate any possible chance of a Battery fastbreak.
Where are they vulnerable?
Charleston haven’t exactly been stout in the back of late.
The Battery have allowed six goals in their last five USL games, costing them points that could have put them at the top of the table.
Louisville City FC, who currently lead the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 17, can really take advantage against a defense that’s shown some shaky form in recent games.
The Game
Louisville City continues on the road to face the Charleston Battery on May 28 (7:30 p.m. | WATCH), followed by an Open Cup fixture with Indy Eleven on June 1 (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).
LouCity returns to Slugger Field on June 11 to host Wilmington Hammerheads (7:30 p.m. | TICKETS).
