Sports
Battery Head West to Face Colorado Springs
The Charleston Battery travel westward for a Friday night showdown with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on July 22nd, at 9 pm ET. Friday will be the Battery’s third road trip to play a Western Conference side in 2022.
The match at Weidner Field is also the first ever between Charleston and Colorado Springs. Switchbacks FC played their inaugural USL Championship season in 2015.
Colorado Springs return to their home grounds following a 3-0 road loss against San Diego Loyal SC on Monday. San Diego scored early and often throughout the contest, tallying two goals by halftime and tacking on a third in the second half to put the game away. Colorado Springs were disadvantaged when Steven Echevarria was dismissed from the night for his second yellow card in the 66th minute and San Diego scored their third goal a minute later. Colorado Springs were reduced to nine men when Aaron Wheeler was also sent off for a second yellow card. Friday’s hosts have been a strong side in the Western Conference all year and will look to bounce back in their return to Weidner Field.
The Battery head into Colorado looking to build upon their 3-1 home victory over Hartford Athletic on Saturday. Charleston put on a commanding display against Hartford as Augustine Williams notched his second brace of the season and Enock Kwakwa got onto the scoresheet for the first time with the club. Hartford managed to score in the 22nd minute but were kept at bay otherwise during the match. The Battery defense held the Athletic with few opportunities and goalkeeper Hugo Fauroux notched a pair of saves to further secure the three points. The Black and Yellow will aim to bring that form with them on the road in an effort to earn their first away victory of the season.
Battery forward Augustine Williams is nearing the sesquicentennial mark in regular season USL Championship appearances. He currently has 149 matches to his name, making Friday the potential 150th game for him.
Friday will be a homecoming, of sorts, for Battery Head Coach Conor Casey, who makes his first return to his native Colorado since taking the helm of the Battery. Coach Casey’s hometown is Denver, which is roughly an hour and a half away from Colorado Springs.
Both teams are dealing with a pair of suspensions within their squad due to cards issued in the previous round of matches. Charleston will be without Romario Piggott due to yellow card accumulation and Matt Sheldon due to a straight red card. Colorado Springs with be without Aaron Wheeler and Steven Echevarria as both received red cards after two yellows against San Diego.