Sports
Charleston Take on Rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies at Patriots Point on Saturday
By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery return home to host the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, March 25th at Patriots Point. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Charleston and Tampa Bay have become familiar adversaries over the years. Last season, the Battery were undefeated against the Florida club and beat them in the most recent meeting, on Sept. 10. Andrew Booth scored both the equalizer and the match-winning goal at Patriots Point that evening.
The Battery return home after a valiant fight against title-contenders Sacramento Republic FC on the road, earning a 1-1 draw. Charleston struck first via an AJ Paterson goal but a goal in the second half from the hosts saw the points shared. The performance was another strong one against a top Western Conference side.
Tampa Bay are in a similar boat and are coming off a 1-1 road draw with a Western Conference club, Orange Country SC. The Rowdies were down 1-0 at halftime but rallied late to grab an equalizer in the 82nd minute via Zachary Herivaux. One can expect Neill Collins, who is in his sixth season in charge of Tampa Bay, to have his squad ready to bounce back and fight for their first win of the season on Saturday.
Forrest Lasso is one to watch for the Rowdies. The center-back and three-time USLC Defender of the Year returned to Tampa Bay after his previous club, GIF Sundsvall, were relegated from the Swedish top flight.
Derek Dodson is a player to keep an eye on for the Battery. Dodson, in his first two games with the club, leads Charleston in duels won and tackles won and is tied for the most interceptions.
Saturday will be the first leg of the No Quarter Derby, a supporter group-led rivalry between the fans that spans the season series. Supporters of the winning team will receive a cooler chest full of beers from the fans of the losing team. The Battery were winners of the 2022 edition.
Tampa Bay will be without goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, who is off on international duty with Cuba. At the same time, former Battery shot-stopper Phil Breno is likely to start in his return to Patriots Point for the first time since last playing for the Black and Yellow in 2020.
You can purchase tickets to the match at charlestonbattery.com.
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