Charleston punch ticket to USL Final

Battery Media

The Charleston Battery punched their ticket to the USL Final with a 2-1 victory over Louisville City FC in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Final at a sold-out Patriots Point on Saturday. An early goal from Arturo Rodriguez set the tone for the night and a second half conversion from the penalty spot by Augi Williams proved to be the difference. The victory propelled Charleston to the USL Championship Final for the first time since 2012.

The Battery will host Western Conference champions Phoenix Rising FC in the Final on Sun., Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. ET, the team the Battery opened their 2023 season against. Charleston will be vying for their fifth league title in club history.

Charleston’s night got off to an ideal start when their up-tempo offense started to pay dividends early. Nick Markanich won a free kick from a dangerous spot just outside the box when he drew a foul while running past Louisville’s defense. Arturo Rodriguez took the ensuing free kick and curled in a perfect strike into the top corner, putting the Battery ahead 1-0 in the 5th minute. The goal was Rodriguez’s fourth of 2023 and second of the postseason. 

Charleston continued to apply heavy pressure on Louisville and lived deep in their defensive half as time wore on, sending in 10 crosses (compared to two for LouCity) midway through the half. Derek Dodson nearly doubled the Battery’s lead in the 21st minute when his header hit off the crossbar. 

Despite the fast start to the match, the pace of play began to cool in the latter stages of the first half. Goalkeeper Trey Muse was tested in the 41st minute to make his first, and only, save of the first half, denying Cameron Lancaster. The Battery took the 1-0 lead into the break.

Play resumed with both sides eager to make an impression in the second half. Markanich’s pressure and ability to draw fouls against LouCity paid off for Battery again in the 57th minute, this time winning a penalty.

Augi Williams stepped up to the spot and converted to double Charleston’s lead in the 58th minute. The goal was Williams’ 16th of 2023, matching his goal-scoring mark from last season.

The Battery remained resolute in taking their game to LouCity, providing pressure and nullifying opportunities for the visitors to find a way back into the match. Louisville were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute when Carlos Moguel Jr. was shown a second yellow card and subsequent red.

However, Louisville managed to pull one back in the 90th minute via Kyle Adams to make the score 2-1, setting up five nervy minutes of stoppage time as the visitors pushed to force extra time. 

Charleston would hold on and prevented Louisville from recording a shot in stoppage time to secure the 2-1 victory, punching the Battery’s ticket to the USL Championship Final for the first time since 2012. The win was also the Battery’s first win over LouCity since 2018 and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Williams’ conversion from the penalty spot proved to be the winning goal, it was his ninth match-winner of 2023.

The Battery will host Western Conference champions Phoenix Rising FC in the Final on Sun., Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. ET. Charleston will be vying for their fifth league title in club history.