Battery Head North for Saturday Match against Indy
October 7, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Charleston Battery News Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery travel to Indianapolis this weekend for a Saturday duel with Indy Eleven. Kickoff on October 8 at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Charleston will look to avenge their earlier 3-4 defeat against Indy back in June. The match was ultimately decided by a 17-minute window in the first half when Indy struck four times against the Battery’s lone goal that half, by Augi Williams. Williams and EJ Johnson would score in the waning moments of the second half, but it was too little, too late in the end.
Previewing IND with Head Coach Conor Casey
Previewing IND with Avionne Flanagan
INDvCHS Match Notes
Indy enter October 8’s match after falling at home, 2-4, to FC Tulsa. Indy’s Ayoze notched a pair of goals during the match. However, it was not enough to overcome Tulsa’s four goals. The result snapped a four-game win streak at home for the Eleven.
The Battery brought plenty of offense in their last match but were on the losing end of a dramatic 6-3 away result against Hartford. Hartford scored three in the first half but the Battery responded quickly with a pair of goals after halftime from Andrew Booth and Aidan Apodaca. Augi Williams tacked on a third later in the half, assisted by debutant Fidel Barajas.
Ayoze is a player to watch for Indy. The Spaniard bagged a brace for the Eleven in 70 minutes of action, along with eight duels won and three recoveries. He was subsequently named to the USL Championship’s team of the week for his performance.
Leland Archer is another player to keep an eye on this Saturday. The center-back contributed the assist on Apodaca’s goal and was accurate on 90% of his passes, in addition to five clearances, five recoveries and one interception. Archer was not in the squad last time Charleston and Indy squared off and could pose a new danger for the hosts.
Preston Kilwien will be unavailable for this weekend’s contest while serving a yellow card accumulation suspension.
Saturday won’t be the first away match against Indy for Charleston but it will be the first at IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The previous fixtures were played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Geobel Perez is poised to reach the half-century mark of Battery appearances on Saturday. He currently sits at 49 matches played since first arriving in 2021.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
The Battery returned to training on Tuesday following a period of recovery and travel after the Hartford trip.
Head Coach Conor Casey and defender Avionne Flanagan previewed the upcoming match against Indy, with key quotes to follow.
Coach Casey on his goals for the squad this week…
We still have some short-term goals that we have two games left to accomplish, one of which is a clean sheet. We’ve given up a lot of goals in the last three games, and with that being the emphasis, we’re doubling down on aiming for it this week. The demands remain the same.
Coach Casey on what to expect with Indy…
Indy have been quite flexible in the way they play this year. They played with different personnel, especially over the last month, and they’ve been in the same position as us with not reaching the playoffs. Their pressing triggers have changed, sometimes they press, sometimes they haven’t.
Coach Casey on the efforts made to finish the season strong…
We want to come out and make sure that we have the mentality right, first and foremost. That wasn’t there during the first 30 minutes of the last three games, so we need to come out stronger and give ourselves a chance to compete by coming out in that first half-hour and not allowing goals. We’ve responded late in games a lot, that shows the mentality is there from the group, to dig in and keep fighting.
Flanagan on what the focus is in training ahead of Saturday…
We’re playing a couple of players in different positions, but ultimately we know that we have to be better on the defensive side. We let in around 13 goals in the last three games and that’s unacceptable. It comes down to taking a little bit of pride in defending and in winning your individual battles.
Flanagan on the squad’s mindset with two matches left…
Collectively, we do know that we want to stay together, stay positive, and keep it a good environment in the locker room, out on the field and when we’re away from the team. Just keep a good mindset and that will ultimately lead to a great end to the season.
Flanagan on his transition to Charleston since arriving in August…
I love it here in Charleston, I can’t really complain. Good weather, we’re playing on a great pitch, it’s a little bit different since I was playing on turf a lot on previous teams, so being able to play on grass in always a good thing. It’s a good group of guys here, good staff, everyone has a positive mindset.
As of posting, Brett St. Martin, Joe Schmidt and Joe Kuzminsky are out.
MATCH INFO
Indy Eleven vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, October 8 – 7:00 p.m. ET Kickoff
IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium
HOW TO WATCH:
The club is hosting the final Battery Watch Party of the season at Rusty Bull Brewing in North Charleston! Join the staff and supporters cheer on the Black and Yellow from afar, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, a half-hour hour ahead of kickoff. Enjoy $4 beer specials (21+), live music and merch giveaways + promotions!
Can’t make it to Rusty Bull? All Battery matches will stream on ESPN+ domestically and through the league’s YouTube channel for free internationally.
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