Battery Host Detroit on Saturday at Patriots Point

By: Battery Media

The Charleston Battery return home on Saturday, August 27, to face Detroit City FC in the first meeting in the Lowcountry between the clubs. Kickoff at Patriots Point is slated for 8 pm.

Saturday will be the second-ever game between Charleston and USL Championship newcomers Detroit. DCFC managed to win the inaugural meeting back in March, 1-0, during a rainy and cold afternoon in Michigan. The Black and Yellow will look to return the favor when they host Le Rouge in the reverse fixture this weekend.

Detroit will be aiming to bounce back after falling to a nine-man Louisville City FC at home, 0-1. The match was scoreless through the hour-mark until LouCity were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute. Sean Totsch converted from the spot a minute later with what proved to be the match-winner. Detroit, however, were twice given an advantage when LouCity’s Wesley Charpie and Wilson Harris were sent off, reducing the visitors to nine men. Le Rouge were unable to capitalize on the opportunity as LouCity held on for the road victory.

The Battery return to the Lowcountry after wrapping up a three-match away stand that concluded with a 1-1 draw against LA Galaxy II. Patrick Hogan scored his first goal of the season in the first half off a corner kick, assisted by Robbie Crawford, to give Charleston the lead at halftime. The hosts managed to level the score in the 83rd minute off a free-kick after the Battery continued to withstand the previous several advances from Los Dos. Goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux set a new season-high in saves with 10, a figure that also tied the most in a single game in the league this year.

At Patriots Point this weekend, the club will be celebrating College Night, presented by Home Team BBQ, recognizing universities being back in session. The Battery are represented by 16 different colleges and three that have multiple alumni (UNC Charlotte, Patrick Hogan and Daniel Kuzemka; Coastal Carolina, DZ Harmon and Romario Piggott; FIU, Hugo Fauroux and Andrew Booth).

The match against Detroit will be the final missed game due to a red card suspension for Enock Kwakwa. He is poised to return the following Wednesday against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday.

Saturday could mark a home debut for Battery defender Avionne Flanagan, who signed with the club during the three-game away stand.

Augustine Williams and Hugo Fauroux will look to keep climbing up the leaderboard in their respective areas. Williams is the second-highest goalscorer in the Eastern Conference (13) and Fauroux tied for sixth in most saves in the conference (58, with Tulsa’s Austin Wormell and Indy’s Sean Lewis).

Ones to Watch

Detroit – Nathan SteinwascherSteinwascher has been one of the top goalkeepers in the league all season long and his exceptional form has been a key to Detroit’s bid for a playoff spot. The 29-year-old shot-stopper has racked up the second-most saves in the league (77) and is tied for seventh-most clean sheets (seven). Steinwascher made just one save against the Battery back in March, but it was a big one that prevented Charleston from grabbing a late equalizer. The Black and Yellow will have their work cut out for them in breaking through Steinwascher.

Charleston – Hugo Fauroux

In the opposite goal, Hugo Fauroux has put together a solid 2022 season so far. Fauroux, who became a regular starter in May, has recorded the ninth-most saves in the league (58, tied with Wormell and Lewis). Last game, the French shot-stopper tied the league’s season-high of 10 saves in a single game, a mark reached by only three others. Fauroux did not feature in the match against Detroit in March, but look for him to bring the strong performances from the away stand back home to Patriots Point this weekend.

The Battery returned to training on Tuesday following a period of travel and recovery after the match in California.

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