Battery Host Phoenix in USL Championship Final on Sunday

By: Battery Media

It’s here, this is the end. The Charleston Battery are set to host Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship Final on Sun., Nov. 12. Kickoff at Patriots Point is 7 pm.

The Final is a rematch of the opening game of the season, when the Battery played Rising FC to a 1-1 draw at Patriots Point on March 11.

Charleston, four-time league winners, will be vying for their fifth league title in the club’s 31-season history. Phoenix, on the other hand, are three-time Western Conference champions and will be looking for their first league crown.

No. 3 Charleston’s path to the Final came via three home wins: over Indy Eleven (5-0), Birmingham Legion FC (2-1) and Louisville City FC (2-1). The Battery knocked out defending Eastern Conference champions Louisville to reach the Final for the first time since 2012. Arturo Rodriguez and Augi Williams (PK) scored to see the Battery through.

No. 6 Phoenix went on a demolition tour of California to reach the Final: defeating San Diego Loyal SC (3-4), Orange County SC (1-2) and Sacramento Republic FC (1-2) all away from home. Phoenix had the Sacramento fans believing this was the end for them through 80 minutes until a Republic FC own goal and an Emil Cuella stoppage-time winner turned the tables at the very end.

Leland Archer is a player to watch for the Battery. The skipper has been a key component to the Battery’s defensive renaissance and leads the team with 153 clearances (third-most in the league) and 17 blocks.

Danny Trejo is one to keep an eye on for Rising FC. Trejo, an All-League First Team selection and USLC Player of the Year finalist, has been leading Phoenix’s potent offense with a team-high 19 goals and seven assists in league play.

Both Charleston and Phoenix’s turnaround stories are similar as the sides ascended to the Final after missing out on the postseason last year. They are the third and fourth teams in league history to accomplish the feat.

In addition to the Battery looking to win their fifth league title, Sunday’s Final is the fifth championship match played in the Lowcountry; the 1996, 2003, 2010 and 2012 titles were all in Charleston.

The Final will also feature former Phoenix players Arturo Rodriguez and AJ Cochran going up against their old club for the Battery.

Sunday’s Final will be played in front of a sold-out crowd at Patriots Point. Fans not in attendance can catch the game via national broadcasts on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC (Ch. 157).

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us